The Court Leet Records Of The Manor Of Manchester 1552-1846

Unlock the Stories of Manchester: The Court Leet Records (1552-1846) In 12 Volumes

Before the thunder of looms and the smoke of the factories, there was the Manor of Manchester. A small, yet bustling, Tudor market town centered on its church, its market cross, and its ancient manorial court. For nearly three centuries, the Court Leet was the very heartbeat of this community—a place where disputes were settled, trades were regulated, and the daily lives of ordinary people were meticulously recorded.

Now, you can walk in the footsteps of your Manchester ancestors. This definitive collection of The Court Leet Records of the Manor of Manchester (1552-1846) is more than a list of names; it is a vivid, unfiltered window into the world they knew.

What Will You Discover Inside?

These records are a genealogist's treasure trove, often capturing individuals who missed the parish registers. Uncover details that will bring your family tree to life:

Names & Families: Find your ancestors listed as jurors, defendants, complainants, or tenants. Discover the names of the fathers, sons, and wives who formed the fabric of the town.

Occupations & Trades: Go beyond "labourer." See your ancestor specifically named as a weaver, fuller, dyer, blacksmith, cordwainer, alehouse keeper, or butcher. Watch as trades evolve from the 16th century to the dawn of the industrial age.

Property & Land: Pinpoint where your family lived and worked. The records mention specific streets, fields, burgage plots, and landmarks, helping you map your ancestor's place in the growing town.

Daily Life & Social History: Read the minutes that detail the realities of the past. Was your ancestor fined for an "overhanging thatch," for "blocking the public gutter," or for "selling ale in short measure"? These entries provide colour and character you won't find anywhere else.

The Community's "Black Sheep": Every family has one! The Court Leet handled petty crimes, neighbourly disputes, and public nuisances, offering a fascinating glimpse into the more colourful characters in your family's past.

A Window onto a Changing World: The Manchester Story
These records don't just list names; they document one of the most dramatic transformations in history.

You will begin your journey in 1552, during the reign of Edward VI, when Manchester was a modest township under the lordship of the Mosley family. The records from this era speak of agriculture, local markets, and the regulation of medieval trades.

As you turn the pages, you will witness the first stirrings of change. The slow, steady rhythm of the 17th century gives way to the seismic shifts of the 18th. You will see the rise of the "putting-out" system and the first water-powered mills along the Irwell and Medlock.

By the time you reach the early 19th century, the world is unrecognisable. The records begin to reflect the challenges of a burgeoning industrial city: regulating new turnpike roads, dealing with sanitation problems in overcrowded districts, and managing the influx of people seeking work in the new "Cottonopolis." The Court Leet was there, recording it all, from the last days of the old manorial system to its eventual decline in the face of new municipal governance.

This is the story of Manchester, told through the voices of its people.