The manor was the principal administrative unit of any medieval landed estate and its business was carried out in the manor court before the steward. The records of the manor, and in particular its court, document aspects of local agriculture, the resolution of disagreements between tenants and the transfer of property amongst tenants.

Some manors also had a legal jurisdiction which permitted the lord of the manor to deal with certain minor criminal matters and regulate the sale of bread and ale. Manors continued to function until the early 20th century, but by this date the business of the courts had for a long time been dominated by the transfer of tenants' property.

The proceedings of the court and other documents give much information about local agriculture and the management of estates and commons. In the case of urban manors details can be found on markets, trade and industrial developments. They can also tell us a great deal about the community living on the manor, its social structure, households and the local economy. In this respect, for the medieval period no other sources may exist.

We hold a great many manorial documents, spread across a variety of classes. These are recorded on the Manorial Documents Register and on our online Catalogue.