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Of the two kinds of manorial courts, the courts baron were likelier to survive as institutions into our period. Courts baron managed the lord's personal interests and tenants; courts leet dealt with public law and order within the community, and their power diminished in our period as their duties were taken over by justices of the peace.
Both courts were held by the lord of the manor, usually presided over by a steward, and they were jointly essential in managing feudal duties, enforcing community rules, and maintaining local order.
Paris Garden had both kinds of courts, and both are reflected in this book. Views of frankpledge fall under the proper purview of the court leet, and property issues are the province of the the manor’s court baron.
The court baron’s homage or jury was made up of freehold tenants who were sworn in at the sitting and acted as the jury and witnesses in cases heard before the court.
These abstracts are principally names of manorial tenants and the context for their appearance in the records. The entries are in Latin, abstracted in English. Surnames retain their original spelling. An essoin (in views of frankpledge) is an exemption or excuse. The latinised forename 'Jacobus' is commonly rendered as 'James', though occasionally 'Jacob' may have been intended.
A list of surviving Paris Garden manorial documents can be found here.



  Court Leet, view of frankpledge, 1595 October 8; John Ellis, steward.  
  [Lambeth Archives, VI/237]  

•Pledges:George Wright, Thomas Ellors, James Kyrby, Nicholas Barthelem, Nicholas Somers, John Palmer, William Crowcher, Nicholas Cox, John Yong, John Aston, Robert Curmayne, Andrew Roose, John Kellock, Robert Eyves, William Townsend, all sworn.
•Complaints: None.
•Essoins:
William Hewet for Thomas Allen;
John Lane and William Jackson for Adrian Booteman;
John Wrench, Richard Slade, Jeffrey Melton, Daniel Gunnell, John Barrett, Anthony Bayly, Thomas Pope, John Burkott, John Richardson, and John Broomfeeld for Isaac Towell;
Roger Jorden, Roger Studman, John Slade, and John Allyson for Richard Spencer;
Richard Bixson, John Dyas, and Brian Lylley for John Gardner;
Giles Daunser and Francis Wyett for George Wright;
Thomas Crumpe, John Verdue, and Robert Hadver for William Girdler;
Richard Barwick, Henry English, John Basse, and Thomas Breath for Richard Stone;
Henry Hall and James (Jacobus) Godder for Robert Hall;
William Worledge and Christopher Fawcett for Thomas Bodome;
William Hinton, Robert Jones, and William Kempe Thomas Feazey;
Isaac Steward, Gabriel North, John Cockett, William Brownerige, Henry Reynoldes, and Thomas Barlowe for John Medcalfe;
Richard Keare, Davy Price, and Roger Mag[...] for William Townesend;
Stephen Burrows, Christopher Mosley, and William Atkinson for John Yonge;
Thomas Brayne, James (Jacobus) Hudson, and Peter Osborne for Thomas Jorden;
John French, Richard Rowse, and Robert Burt for William Shawe;
John Brooker, John Billipps, and Nicholas Ferris for Robert Lighthart;
W[illiam] Orgen and Edward Sore for Thomas Orgen;
Thomas Sore and Richard Taylor for Nicholas Barthlem;
William Carpenter, John Wood, Christopher Stallocke, and Richard Smith for Thomas Smith;
William Pawlmer, John Josseph, and Thomas Pawmer for John Palmer;
William Howe ansd Edward Gore for Hugh Taylor;
Thomas Averey and Henry Pearce for John Pharowe;
George Payne, Christopher Worwood, and David Prichard for Edward Godman;
William Patient and John ?Vathe for Philip Robinson;
William Hamlen and John Clarke for Richard Atkinson;
John Rose for John Whitter;
John Pearc for Thomas Clifford;
William Consent and John Lewis for Nicholas Cox;
William Browne for Richard Clark;
Richard Daffener for Leonard Jhonson;
John Evans for Robert Curmaine;
John Woodwyn for Arthur Story;
William Thorneton for William Frenze;
William Dabs for Thomas Burdge;
Robert Gybs nfor Walter Sparman;
John Robartes for Thomas Ridley;
and John Edwardes for John Vicar.


  Court Baron, 1597 July 28; John Ellis, steward.  
  [Lambeth Archives, VI/237]  

•Homage: Thomas Iremonger, Thomas Palmer, Isaac Towell, George Wright, John Bridges, all sworn.
•Case heard: Nicholas Gylmyn, a customary tenant, deceased, had four cottages and four gardens converted to nine cottages and three gardens. Anthony Gylmyn, brother of Nicholas, petitions to be next holder of the property, but court awards it to Martha Gylmyn, widow of Nicholas. Also mentioned: Thomas Gylmyn, brother of Anthony Gylmyn.


  Court Leet, view of frankpledge, 1597 October 8; John Ellis, steward.  
  [Lambeth Archives, VI/237]  

•Pledges: Richard Scott, George Wright, John Cockett, John Brooker, Robert Jones, John Awsten, William Jackson, David Price; John Woodyne, Thomas Pope, John Allison, John Richardson, Robert Eaves, John Roffe, John Pardue, William Dobbes, Edward Marlow, all sworn.
•Complaints: None.
•Essoins:
James Kirby for George Wright;
Robert Curmayne and Francis Wyett for the said George Wright;
Evans Meredith for Richard Spencer;
Roger Jorden, Roger Stydman, and Richard Slade for the said Richard Spencer;
William Hewet for Thomas Ellarne;
Isaac Towell, John Moore, Thomas Kendrick, William Parker, and John Broomefeild for the said Thomas Ellarne;
Thomas Wilkinson for John Pardue, and Thomas Smith for the said John Pardue;
John Wrench for Thomas Feazey;
Edward Marlowe, Daniel Gunnell, John Burnam, John Bassett, John Jessopp, and Edward Sore for the said Thomas Feazey;
Robert Hall for Henry Hall;
Walter Hix, Thomas Breach, and William Atkinson for Henry Hall;
John Hanbury for Richard Hewes;
Thomas Clifford and William Worledge for the said Richard Hewes;
Thomas Warren for Nicholas Cox, and Leonard Johnson for the said Nicholas Cox;
John Dyas and Brian Lilley for Anthony Bailye;
Thomas Pawlmer for Nicholas Ferris;
William Hamlyn, John Clark for the said Nicholas;
Thomas Burdge for Nicholas Barthlem;
John Kellock, Robert Pynnington, and Thomas Sore for the said Nicholas Barthlem;
William Brownrigge for Francis Oake;
Isaac Steward and Richard Welford for the said Francis Oake;
Roger Maggetts and John West for John Cockett;
John Crosby for Lodowick Davies;
Richard Wime and John Evans for the said Lodowick;
Christopher Fawcet and John Medcalfe for John Brooker.


  Court Baron of 1597/8 February 18; John Ellis, steward.  
  [Lambeth Archives, VI/237]  

•Homage: James Awsten, Florence Cawldwell, Walter Tredawaie, Thomas Iremonger, Thomas Palmer; Isaac Towell, Ephraim Androwes, Robert Emery, Richard Sampson, Isbrand Morris, all sworn.
•Case heard: Edward Blomer, a customary tenant, surrenders his eighteen messuages and eighteen gardens to the court, which awards them to Walter Tredawaie. Also mentioned: Richard Tredawaie, father of Walter Tredawaie.


  Court Leet, view of frankpledge, 1598 October 6; John Ellis, steward.  
  [Lambeth Archives, VI/237]  

•Pledges: John Wrench, Thomas Palmer, Isaac Towell, Nicholas Verilie, John Kellocke, Edward Sore, John Brooker, John Medcalfe, William Jacson, George Wright, John Richardson, John Awsten, Christopher Fawset, William Kempe, John Cockett, all sworn.
•Complaints: None.
•Essoins:
Evans Merida, Roger Jurden, Thomas Elthorne, and John Allyson for William Hewette;
John Lane and John Sturtell for Adrian Boteman;
John Slade for Richard Spencer;
James Kirbye for Charles Bryan;
Robert Carman for William Consette;
Giles Danser for John Whittar;
Thomas Kirbye for John Rose;
Michael Rogers for Thomas Clifforde;
John Barrett, Leonard Postell, David Price, and Lewis Harris for Lewis Davis;
Anthony Neale for John Palmer;
Thomas Chandeler, William Worledge, William Hore, John Woode, John Bassett, and Robert Gale for John Verdue;
John Dyas for Thomas Warren;
Simon Churche, Thomas Harrys, and Philip Evans for Thomas Fesie;
Nicholas Atkinson and William Brownrige for William Coxe;
Thomas Crumpe for Isaac Towell;
Thomas Smithe for Richard Hewes;
Roger Rawlens for Thomas Clifford;
Leonard Johnson for Henry Pearce;
William Parker and Henry Englishe for William Rosbye;
Walter Hickes and Thomas Winspere for John Burton;
Henry Hale, Christopher Mosley, and John Palmer for Anthony Baylie;
Edward Haver for John Hubledaye;
Robert Joanes and William Bowells for Robert Joanes;
James Gwilliams for John More;
Rhys Prosser, William Pearce, and Roger Magotts for Christopher Fassett;
Isaac Stewarde for Robert Tissard;
Thomas Brech for John Hubledaye;
William Atkinson for John Yong;
Nicholas Somers for Thomas Stone;
Robert Fortune for John Richardson;
Andrew Rosse for John Brooker;
John Wooddin, Richard Watforde, and Lewis Jenckens for Edward Sore;
Thomas Iremonger for John Kellocke, Walter Flab[ell] for Nicholas Ferris;
Stephen Littell for Peter Forde;
Samuel Grymeditche for Thomas Abree;
William Rogers and Richard Wedge for Nicholas Bartlem;
Stephen Borrowes for John French;
John Rie for William Dabbes;
William Notte and Henry Renoldes for Morris Evens;
Richard Scott for Morris Smith;
Richard Taylor and Richard Maydley for John Weste;
John Singer for Francis Henslowe;
Thomas Vincent for Thomas Pope;
Philip Scratcher for William Shawe;
William Sparkine for Richard Deane;
John Hammon for Edward Hudson;
John Crosley and Richard Kirby for Robert Litharte;
Robert Eves for William Jacson;
Robert Hadver for Thomas Dawson.
•Presentment: Francis Langley, lord of the manor, to mend the cage, the pound, and the stocks by next 25 March on pain of £5 penalty.
•Presentment: [blank] Boylle to mend his house of office on pain of 40s penalty.
•Presentment: William Bowles, William Parker, John Cockette, William Pence, Christopher Fassott, Roger Magottes, John Burkett, John More, John Hubleday, and widow Webb to mend the sewer before their doors by next 28 June on pain of 6s8d fine each person.
•Presentment: James Emelye to remove his pig by Ash Wednesday next on pain of 20s.
•Presentment: Edward Wilson, baker, for breaking the assize of bread, 20s.
•Presentment: Widow Drought of Clink Liberty, baker, for the same, 10s.
•Presentment: John Marshall of Borough, baker, for the same, 5s.
•Presentment: William Saunders of Borough, baker, for the same, 5s.
•Inmates:
•Presentment: Widow Pennye has a stranger as an inmate; £5 penalty if not gone by 21 December.
•Presentment: Michael Rogers has Edward Starkye as an inmate; £5 penalty if not gone by 21 December.
•Presentment: Widow Webb has Hugh Merrideth as an inmate; £5 penalty if not gone by 21 December.
•Presentment: John Deyse has Simon Church as an inmate; £5 penalty if not gone by 21 December.
•Presentment: John Burkett presented for being a common barrator.
•Presentment: Katherine Edwards alias Hawardes for being a scold.


  Court Baron of 1598 May 9; John Ellis, steward.  
  [Lambeth Archives, VI/237]  

•Homage:Florence Caldwell, Isbrand Morrys, William Moysier, Isaac Towell, Thomas Palmer, John Bridges, all sworn.
•Case heard: Ephraim Androwes and his wife Martha, customary tenants, held the fourth part of four cottages and the fourth part of four gardens, converted to nine cottages and three gardens. Martha Androwes surrendered these holdings to the use of her sister Ann Gatchett.


  Court Baron of 1598/9 February 15; John Ellis, steward.  
  [Lambeth Archives, VI/237]  

•Homage: Florence Calwall, Isbrand Morrys, James Awsten, Thomas Palmer, Isaac Towell, John Bridges, all sworn.
•Case heard 1: George Wright, a customary tenant, deceased, had a messuage in Upper Ground; it will pass to his minor son James Wright, with widow Isabel to serve as guardian until young James is of age.
•Case heard 2: John Amerie, a customary tenant, surrenders twenty tenements and a shed by license to William Pynfold; but entry deleted, property remains John Amerie's. Also mentioned: Frances Amerie, wife of John.


  Court Baron of 1600 July 4; John Ellis, steward.  
  [Lambeth Archives, VI/237]  

•Homage: Florence Caldwell, James Austen, Thomas Palmer, Thomas Iremonger, Isaac Towell, Ephraim Andrewes, all sworn.
•Case heard 1: Eight cottages, held by Edward Riche junior, affirmed to be now held by Edward's minor son, also Edward. Edward Riche junior's wife, Judith Riche, to be custodian during his minority. Also mentioned: Edward Riche senior and his wife Joan, parents of Edward junior, both deceased; Edward's grandfather Richard Saltonstall.
•Case heard 2: Thirteen tenements and five gardens, held by Ephraim Andrewes, a customary tenant; Florence Caldwell admitted as new holder of the properties. Tenants in those properties include James Sommer, William Sheene, Anthony Bayly, and William Girdler; Thomas Chauner, carpenter; William Worlay, shipwright; and Thomas Stockes, John Woode, Hugh Mereddith, Henry Williams, Henry Hall, John Dyce, Leonard Russell, and Thomas Crumpe, all watermen.


  Court Baron of 1601 October 6; John Ellis, steward.  
  [Lambeth Archives, VI/237]  

    Homage: James Austen, Thomas Palmer, John Amerye, Isaac Towell, all sworn.
•Case heard 1: Twenty messuages and a shed affirmed to John Amerye, a customary tenant, and Frances his wife.  
•Case heard 2: Elizabeth Downes, widow, a customary tenant, granted licence for one hundred years to one messuage and nine cottages. Others mentioned: Otho Mawditt and Elizabeth his wife; Oliver Sheires and Margaret his wife; William Brette and Marie his wife; William Downes, deceased.
•Case heard 3: Thomas Iremonger, a customary tenant, deceased, left to his daughter Alice Bellamy his holdings, including a mansion once held by Rhys Jones. Also mentioned: Alice Bellamy's husband Robert Bellamy.
•Case heard 4: John Amerie and Frances his wife to have a licence for forty-eight years to twenty tenements and a shed.


  Court Baron of 1602 September 6; John Ellis, steward.  
  [Lambeth Archives, VI/237]  

•Homage: Florence Caldwell, Richard Sampson, John Amery, Robert Bellamy, all sworn.
•Case heard 1: Ephraim Androwes and Martha his wife; a new cottage and three gardens, passed to Martha's sister Katherine Thornton.
•Case heard 2: James Awsten, a customary tenant, deceased; a messuage of his to pass to his widow Joyce for her natural life, then to his son William Awsten.


  Court Leet, view of frankpledge, 1602 October 18; John Ellis, steward.  
  [Lambeth Archives, VI/237]  

•Pledges: Thomas Palmer, Nicholas Verilie, Isaac Towell, Edward Soare, John Medcalf, William Jackson, Thomas Ellorne, William Hunt, Giles Dancer, Richard Snellinge, John Roaffe, Robert Eves, Thomas Feazey, Robert Hitchman, Edward Godman, John Perdue, John Clarke, all sworn.
    [Remainder of page blank]


  Court Baron of 1601 October 6; John Ellis, steward.  
  [Lambeth Archives, VI/237]  

•Homage: James Awsten, Thomas Palmer, John Amerie, Isaac Towell, all sworn.
•Case heard 1: Thomas Iremonger, a customary tenant, deceased; his tenements to pass to his sons Robert and Richard Iremonger. Tenants in those tenements include Edward Sore, shipwright; Arthur Storie, William Belton, Thomas Mortuns, John Bromefeilde, Robert Hitchman, Andrew Rose, William Passion, and Nicholas Verilo alias Ferris.
•Case heard 2: Thommas Iremonger, a customary tenant, deceased, bequeathed to his daughters Grace Iremonger and Alice Bellamy a property called Windmills in Paris Garden Lane.


  Court Baron of 1603 September 1; John Ellis, steward.  
  [Lambeth Archives, VI/237]  

•Homage: Richard Sampson, Isaac Towell, Thomas Palmer, all sworn.
•Case heard 1: Robert Iremonger, a customary tenant, deceased, held various messuages or tenements, occupied by Edward Soare shipwright, Arthur Storie, and William Belton; Iremonger's sisters Grace Iremonger and Alice Bellamy successfully petition to have those properties. Also mentioned: Thomas Iremonger, deceased, father of Robert Iremonger.
•Case heard 2: Richard Iremonger, a customary tenant, deceased, had messuages occupied by John Bromefeild, Robert Hitchman, Andrew Rose, William Passion, and Nicholas Verilo alias Ferris. Richard Iremonger's sisters, Alice Bellamie (wife of Robert Bellamie) and Grace Iremonger, successfully petition to have those properties.


  Court Baron of 1604 April 4; John Ellis, steward.  
  [Lambeth Archives, VI/237]  

•Homage: Richard Sampson, John Amery, Thomas Palmer, Isaac Towell, William Moysier, all sworn.
•Case heard 1: Jeremy Thornton and his wife Katherine, customary tenants, confirmed as holders of property consisting of four cottages and four gardens recently converted to nine cottages and three gardens and now converted to thirteen cottages and five gardens; those premises occupied by tenants Thomas Gorney and his wife Mary.
•Case heard 2: Florence Caldwall, a customary tenant, affirms the transfer of his messuages to Thomas Gorney and his wife Mary.


  Court Baron of 1606/7 February ; John Ellis, steward.  
  [Lambeth Archives, VI/237]  

•Homage: Isbrand Morris gent, Thomas Gourney gent, William Moysier, Thomas Palmer, Isaac Towell.
•Case heard 1: Ann Tudder, one of the four daughters and co-heirs of George Gatchett deceased and now wife of James Tudder, asks for her fourth part of the new tenements and five gardens now occupied by tenants Thomas Leper, cobbler; William Worledge and William Edmonds, shipwrights; [blank] Crumpe, widow; John Turtle; and John French, John Hubbledaie, Henry Halle, Richard Boulton, Robert Jones, Richard Wright, and Thomas Sever, all watermen.
•Case heard 2: James Tudder and his wife Ann to have their lease for twenty-one years.


  Court Baron of 1607 June 24; John Ellis, steward.  
  [Lambeth Archives, VI/237]  

•Homage:Florence Caldwall, William Fryth, Isbrand Morris, William Moysier, John Sampson, Thomas Palmer, Isaac Towell, all sworn.
•Case heard: Walter Tredway knight, a customary tenant, having died seised of eighteen messuages and eighteen garden plots, Francis Temple successfully petitions the court on behalf of Edward Tredway, age six and heir of Walter Tredway. Francis Temple to be Edward Tredawaye's guardian until he reaches age of fourteen years.