This interesting relic of antiquity is perpetuated in Portland not simply as a relic of an ancient custom, but as an active authority. It is Saxon in origin and deals with the rights, dues, practices, and customs of the Manor, with the control and management of the Commonable Lands. There are two Courts held every year. The authority of the Court is vested in 24 jurymen and a foreman. The jury are chosen from the "Tenants" or Landowners of the Manor.

Drawing By Lot
This being a Royal Manor, the Lord or Chief is the King. The Steward of the manor representing the Chief instructs the Bailiff to summon the Court. The Bailiff puts the names of the tenants or some of them into a hat, and the jury are drawn by lot from these.

Meeting of the Court
On the day and at the place appointed, the names of those "warned" to attend the Court are called and upon answering to their names they are sworn by the Steward or his deputy. The foreman is then chosen, who presides. For many years now this office has been filled by Mr Robert Pearce. The various officers of the Court and Manor are in attendance. These comprise the Steward, the Bailiff, the Reeve, the Chief Constable, the Inspectors of the Districts, the Affeerors and the Haywards. These take their several oaths and are sworn in turn.

Preparation of the Reeve Staff
An annual payment of quit rent at the rate of 3d per acre, and amounting in total to �14 14s 3d has been paid to the Chief from time immemorial. This is collected by the Reeve and paid over to the Steward. He also prepares a Reeve-staff with notches cut to represent each payment. As remuneration for this service he is entitled to the use of a piece of land called the "Reeve Plot" for his year of office. This practice has recently been superseded and a payment in money is made instead of the use of the land. The Reeve is appointed at the Michaelmas Court, and is always the tenant who pays the highest amount of quit rent who has not held the office before. No person ever bolds the office a second time.

The Appointment of Chief Constable
Chief Constable is appointed by the Court and he appoints the Inspectors. Their duties are to inspect the Commonable or parish lands and to see that no encroachments are made upon them; to see that the roads and ways are preserved; to make presentments at Court of any encroachments or irregular working of the quarries in the parish lands.

Fixing the Fines
In case of encroachments, the jury have to determine what steps shall be taken and whether a fine or annual rent shall be paid. The duty of the Affeerors is to fix the amount of the fine, or in case the encroachment is allowed to continue, the amount of annual rent.

Collecting the Court Pence
The Bailiff, besides "warning" the jury, collects the court penny from every householder (formerly every male of 21 years and upwards). If they decline to pay the penny they have to attend the court and answer to their names. He also makes presentment at court of the amount of stone quarried from the commonable and crown lands. It is his duty also to present the death of every tenant, and to collect the sum of two shillings and sixpence due to the Chief upon every such death.

Some Fading Customs Fading Customs
There is also due to the Chief 3d per acre when land is transferred by a process called "surrender at Court." This custom has almost ceased, but it is a means of transfer of property. There is another custom which has also almost fallen into disuse by which redemption of property may be made. This with other customs and privileges, are more particularly described in the Court Records of 1846 (Sue page (See page 61)

Negotiations for Sale of Land
The Court also negotiates for the sale of commonable lands when occasion requires. This is generally delegated to a Committee chosen from the tenants. Such a committee was chosen in March, 1904 to treat with the Trinity House for the sale of a piece of commonable land at the Bill for the site of the new lighthouse.

Copy of Oaths

The Jury - "You shall diligently enquire and true presentments make of all such matters and things as shall be given to you in charge. The King's counsel, your own and your fellows you shall keep secret. You shall present nothing out of hatred, malice or ill-will, nor conceal anything out of fear, favour, or affection, but in all things you shall well and truly present as the same shall come to your knowledge.

"The same oath as your foreman hath taken you shall well and truly observe and keep on your respective parts."

The Officers.-" You severally shall inquire and true presentments make of the several offences committed in your office of since the last Court as have come to your knowledge.

Stone Accounts.-" You swear that this is a true and correct return of all stone raised by _____ from lands within this Liberty and Manor between the ___________ inclusive to the best of your belief.

^ back to top ^