Practical Archival Skills Training: Medieval Legal Records

The Practical Archival Skills Training (PAST) programme offers researchers a unique opportunity to obtain the skills and knowledge needed to undertake academic research using original records at The National Archives.

This Medieval Legal Records workshop will provide you with the essential skills to identify and access original source material amongst the legal records of central government. During each session you will receive tuition and guidance on a range of archival research skills from our medieval records specialists, and you will also undertake practical exercises involving hands-on document work.

The workshop will focus on the vast collection of medieval legal records held by The National Archives (c.1215-c.1509). The day will begin with an introduction to the medieval legal system and its processes, and the following sessions will focus on different areas of the law including: common law; the rise of equity courts; and the local administration of justice.

At the end of the workshop you will have increased confidence in your ability to find and access previously challenging medieval 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. There are no pre-requisites for attendance, although a basic understanding of Latin is recommended.

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

Programme:

09:00-09:30 Registration and Coffee

Tea and coffee in the public restaurant area

You may also use this time to register for a Reader’s Ticket if you wish to order documents to view after the end of the workshop. Please note, you do not need a Reader’s Ticket to participate in the workshop, but the reading rooms are open until 7pm if you wish to pursue your own research. This is not compulsory, and any evening work will be private research, without tutors from the course present. Details of the documents you need for a Reader’s Ticket can be found here.

09:30-10:45 Session 1: Introduction to Medieval Law

This introductory session will give you an overview of the legal systems in place in medieval England, and an introduction into how the mechanics of the law worked, including the different ways in which individuals could seek justice through the law

It will also provide an introduction into the languages and skills needed to navigate legal records, and an overview of the legal officials active within the medieval courts

10:45-12:00 Session 2: Common Law Courts (I) – King’s Bench

This session, the first of two covering the medieval common law courts, will focus on the Court of King’s Bench and its records, including the ‘Coram Rege’ rolls among lesser known document series. Students will receive an overview of the court and its records, before tracing a case study through the records and learning how different documents were produced throughout the course of a case

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.

12:45-14:00 Session 3: Common Law Courts (II) – Common Pleas

This session, the second of two covering the medieval common law courts, focuses on the Court of Common Pleas and its records, including the plea rolls known as ‘De Banco’ rolls. Students will be given an overview of the court and how its records were produced and stored, before taking part in practical exercises in finding and recording cases in the plea rolls

14:00-14:15 Break

14:15-15:30 Session 4: Equity Courts – Chancery and Council

This session will examine the rise of equity courts in the fifteenth century, as well as the role of the council in the administration of justice. Focusing on the Court of Chancery in particular – but with reference to the Star Chamber and Court of Requests – students will have an opportunity to go beyond the information currently available in TNA’s online catalogue, Discovery, and learn how to find dates and other supplementary material through practical exercises using original documents

15:30-15:45 Break

15:45-16:45 Session 5: Local Justice

The final session examines how justice was administered outside of the central law courts. It provides an overview of the options available to individuals seeking justice, after which students will have the chance to examine original records and take part in practical exercises

16:45-17:00 Wrap up and Questions

17:00 Close

After the close of the workshops, the reading rooms will be open for students wishing to undertake their own research. Please note that this is optional and any evening work will be private research, without tutors from the course present. Students will need to order documents during the day, in advance of document closing.