Bishop of Durham, Halmote Court Documents. 21 historic documents, comprising 1) Letter written by Tobias Mathew, Bishop of Durham, to Mr John Richardson, Deputy to Thomas Calney, Steward of the Halmote Court of the Lord Tobias, Bishop of Durham, dated 22/4/1597, signed by Wilhelmn Crooke of Wolsingham, with three witnesses 2) 1661 Presentment [Statement on oath by jury of fact within their knowledge] of Norton. Thomas Jefferson for trespassing in the corn fields. Fine 6d. Robert Wright for trespassing with his Geese. Fine 6d. (with 1661 presentment of Evenwood on verso). 3) 1668 Presentment for West Auckland, for Mr Thomas Gibson, Deputy Clerk of Halmott Court in Durham, "Grieve and jurors have nothing to report". 4) 1669 Bondgate in Darlington - letter & Township of Coundon presents a list of six new jurors. 1st letter named to Mr Thomas Gibson, steward; 2nd letter 1675 to John Jefferson, now steward. 5) 1678 Darlington letter signed by John Hutchinson, Halmot Secretary, with 1681 Presentment for Wolsingham to John Hutchinson, Mayor of Durham, detailing fines, including Peter Greenwell for plowing upon the Lords Waists where he hath no right. Fine 1 shilling, and Anthony Dixon for not repairing the front of his house in Wolsingham. Fine 6d. 6) 1684 Letter for Mr John Hutchinson, Court Keeper of the Halmot Court. The Presentment of the Jury lists numerous indictments including C. Lawes for selling Lyme stones out of the parish where he hath noe right to sell any. Fine 3 shilling, John Swindon for trespassing in the East Fields, John Hutchinson for trespassing with his goods in the milk pails. Fine 6d., Peter Greenwell for ploughing in the common moor. Fine 5 shilling. 7) 1689 Presentment sheet for Mr John Hutchinson, framingate in Durham, for Evenwood Barrondry, detailing fines including The jury doe present Thomas Vickers for not keeping his hedges in good repaire to Bryon Mownser, Fine 3s 4d, with envelope/wrapper 8)1692 Letter. John Jefferson appoints John Hutchinson as his lawful deputy for the making of his weill, & presentments for West Auckland and Ryton, detailing fines, including John Slokoe for not repairing his Hedges and Moses Saize for not ringin[g] his swine. 9) 1699 Presentment for West Auckland for John Hutchinson, Durham, detailing fines & nomination of rent collector for Bishop (of Durham), five jurors present. Robert Gray fined for erecting a house upon the Common belong. to West Auckland. Fine £1, 19s, 11d, Thomas Todd, for not keeping ye water in ye right course. Fine 3s 4d. 10) 1707-1709 Presentments to John Mowbray, now Hallmote Steward in Durham for Evenwood & Wolsingham, where 23 persons fined 6d each for not appearance at court; Evenwood Court, 4 offenders fined 1s. for not appearing in court. 11) 1710-1714. Presentments for Norton & Evenwood detailing fines, 1st to John Rud, Steward of the Hallmote Court, 2nd to John Mowbray (steward again) in Durham, and 1719 Agreement between John and William Peacock of a piece of waste [land] in Sedberg, signed and witnessed 12) Durham. 1692 Presentment of the Grieve & Jury for the Manor of Chester (Le Street) detailing fines & similar for Ryton (2) 13) Durham 1683, 26 October. Presentment for Chester (Le Street), detailing many fines 14) Durham 1697, Presentment for Bondgate in Auckland for John Hutchinson, Steward of the Hallmote Courts in Framwellgate, These Present With Speed – leave this at John Johnson’s shop on Framwellgate Bridge, to be sent as above directed – Wm Gouldesbrough fined 39sh 11d for not grinding all his corn & malt at the Lords mill called the West Mill Footnote: Note: The bishop of Durham's Halmote Courts were manorial courts which dealt chiefly with the customary or copyhold land and tenants on his estates. In the medieval period the Halmote Courts regulated matters of manorial custom and admissions to holdings, and heard actions for minor offences such as trespass, assault and debt under 40 shillings. Gradually, however, the range of matters coming before the courts contracted, and by the 17th century their business was largely confined to dealing with the surrender and admission of manorial (copyhold) tenants, according to the custom of the manor. The Halmote Courts, administered the copyhold land and the tenants thereof belonging to the Bishopric of Durham located mainly in Co. Durham but also in Northumberland and Yorkshire from about 1500 to the 20th century.