This series consists of entry books of orders and decrees issued during equity proceedings heard before the Court of Duchy Chamber.
Before 1509 the volumes might be more accurately described as minute books of the Council of the Duchy of Lancaster, out of which the Court of Duchy Chamber developed. Thus they contained memoranda, including material on estate management, and proceedings and orders of Henry VII's Council Learned in the Law.
After 1509 the volumes become more exclusively entry books of decrees and orders, although still with some miscellaneous material, such as rentals, copies of leases, and surrenders of offices.
Arrangement
Publication note
Unpublished finding aids
Most of the volumes in this series are indexed in a collection of manuscript indexes. Please speak to staff at the Map and Large Document Room enquiry desk for the precise location.
Orders might be purely procedural, appointing commissions of enquiry, or ordering the delivery of answers. Alternatively, interim orders redefined the case in question or settled some part of it without giving a final verdict.
Final orders were the final decisions of the court regarding suits brought before it, while decrees were still more absolute, not allowing any further action in the court by the parties.
