DL 461706-1950Duchy of Lancaster: Coroners' Inquests and Returns
This series consists of the surviving nineteenth-century returns and inquests of coroners appointed by the Duchy of Lancaster for its liberties in the counties of Essex, Norfolk, Middlesex and Surrey, and the honors of Halton (Cheshire) and Pontefract (Yorkshire).
The main record of the inquest is the indented inquisition. This is a brief summary of the proceedings, with a note of the verdict, signed and sealed by the coroner and the jury. Also found are the coroner's warrants to parish constables to assemble a jury, to which are often attached a list of named jurors. Occasionally addresses and occupations are listed as well. Witness lists and statements are often found too.
Also included are returns or summaries of inquests held. These simply list the inquests in a given year, with the name of the deceased, date and place of inquest and the verdict. On some of the returns a note of the coroner's expenses will also be found.