Early Modern Legal Records 2: Equity and Conciliar Courts

Early Modern Legal Records: Equity and Conciliar Courts

This is a one-day in-person workshop at The National Archives

You may also be interested in Early Modern Legal Records 1: Central Common Law Courts and Regional Justice, on June 18th.

This Early Modern Legal Records workshop will provide you with the essential skills to identify and access original source material within the vast legal records collections at The National Archives. During each session you will receive tuition and guidance on a range of archival research skills from our records specialists, and you will also undertake practical exercises involving hands-on document work.

During the workshop you will trace the changes in the legal systems and records held by The National Archives during the long early modern period (c.1485-c.1875). The day will begin with a brief summary of the medieval English legal system before moving on to the establishment of the equity and conciliar courts in the later medieval period and examining the relationship between these courts and the more ancient common law system. The following sessions analyse the different stages of these equity and conciliar court cases, and the different types of record created by this equity court process. The workshop will examine records from a range of equity and conciliar courts active during this early modern period, including the Courts of Chancery, Exchequer (Equity Side), Star Chamber, and Requests.

At the end of the workshop you will have increased confidence in your ability to find and access previously challenging early modern legal documents, and to read and understand their contents. This event is aimed at current taught postgraduate and PhD students, although other researchers are welcome to attend. This is a level three workshop within the PAST programme, and will be investigating complex and demanding archival collections, but you will be supported by expert staff throughout. There are no pre-requisites for attendance.

For more information about the PAST programme please see The National Archives' website or email past@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

You can join the conversation and learn more about our other PAST workshops by following #TNAPAST

Programme:

09:00-09:30 Registration and Coffee

Tea & coffee in the public restaurant area

09.30-10:30 Session 1: The Legal Systems in England and Wales

This introductory session will give you an overview of the legal systems in place in England and Wales, and explain the development of equity and conciliar jurisdiction in the later medieval and early modern periods.

10:30-12:00 Session 2: Pleadings

This session explains the first stage of the equity and conciliar court process, the pleadings, starting with the bill of complaint. Students will learn what records were created as part of this process, and how they are arranged at The National Archives. This session includes practical exercises in using original records from courts including Chancery, Exchequer, and Star Chamber.

12:00-12:45 Lunch

Lunch is not provided. Food and drink can be purchased from our on-site café, or alternatively there are shops and cafés a short walk away in Kew Retail Park and near Kew Gardens station.

12:45-13:45 Session 3: Depositions, Examinations, and Affidavits

This session looks at the records created after the pleadings. Defendants were interrogated and witnesses were examined in order for the court to discern the truth of the matter. Students will learn how to find these records, and how their arrangement and catalogue description differs depending on the court. This session includes practical exercises in using and locating original records.

13:45-14:00 Break

14:00-15:00 Session 4: Evidence and Exhibits

This session also looks at the records created after the pleadings, evidence and exhibits brought to court to establish the truth. These records are varied, and can include original deeds or wills, presented by a party to prove their ownership or title. Students will learn how these records came into the court, and how they are arranged at The National Archives. This session includes practical exercises in using and locating original records.

15:00-15:15 Break

15:15-16:30 Session 5: Judgments and Reports

This session looks at the final stages of an equity or conciliar court case, the judgments and reports. Students will learn how to find these records, and how they connect to other records examined throughout the day. This session includes practical exercises in using and locating original records.

16:30-17:00 Wrap up and Questions

17:00 Close

You may also be interested in our related event (on the 18th of June): Early Modern Legal Records: Central Common Law Courts and Regional Justice