Sir Henry Bellasis had a grant in view of frankpledge in his Manor of Old Byland as early as 1614 and by that time the term ‘frankpledge’ was synonymous with ‘court leet’ which was the court that dealt with petty law and order and the administration of communal agriculture. The Old Byland Manor Court continued until 1889 which was almost fifty years after most other local manor courts ceased to function and the autocratic and archaic hold that Sir George Ordby Wombwell had over the inhabitants of the village can be judged from extracts of the proceedings of a manor court held in 1871.
OPENING OF THE COURT
Bailiff : Oyez, oyez, oyez. All manner of persons that owe suit service to the Court Leet, View of Frankpledge and Court Baron of Sir George Ordby Wombwell Bart, Lord of the said Manor who have this day to be holden for the Manor of Old Byland or that have been summoned to appear at this court draw near thine attendance, every tenant answering his name as he shall be called, thereby saving his amercement [fine for non-attendance]. God save the Queen and the Lord of the Manor.
SWEAR THE HOMAGE
You as foreman of this homage shall require true presentment of all such things as shall be given to your knowledge presentable to this Court. The Queen’s counsel in your opinion follow and well and truly keep. You shall present nothing out of hatred or malice nor conceal anything through fear, favour or affection but in all things you shall truly judge presentment according to the best of your understanding. So help you God.
THE HOMAGERS FOUR AT A TIME
The like oath that your foreman hath taken on his part you every one of you shall well and truly observe and keep your respective parts. So help you God.
NEW TENANT
You shall swear you will become a good and faithful tenant to Sir George Ordby Wombwell for the estate for which you are this day submitted as tenant and shall in all things demean yourself as a good and faithful tenant ought to do. So help you God.
BAILIFF’S OATH
You shall well and truly serve Our Sovereign Lady the Queen and the Lord of the Leet in the office of bailiff for the year ensuing or until you shall be thereof discharged according to due course of law. You shall duly execute all process to be directed to you from the Steward of the Court and diligently and faithfully collect and account for all rents, profits, revenues and in all things demean yourself as a true and faithful bailiff ought to do. So help you God.
CONCLUSION OF THE COURT
Oyes, oyez, oyez. All manner of persons who have appeared this day in the Court of Sir George Ordby Wombwell may now depart keeping their day and hour on a new summons. God save the Queen and the Lord of this Manor.
