Catalogue description COMMISSIONERS' ENTRY BOOKS OF PARTICULARS FOR THE SALE OF CROWN LAND

Entry books of particulars for the sale of Crown land at a later stage in the sale process, that is when they had been rated by commissioners for the sale of Crown land.

The earliest entry book dates to the end of the reign of Edward VI (LR 2/65) and there are two relating to the Elizabethan sales of the 1560s and 1570s (LR 2/66-67); and four relating to those of the 1580s and 1590s (LR 2/70-73).

These volumes contain the text of the particulars, as prepared by the auditors, that had been returned by the prospective grantee to the commissioners for rating. The rate was usually added below the auditors' signature and takes on a common form. Headed by the date and the grantee's name, there follows what becomes a list including a note of the annual value and the number of years purchase, any reserved rents, the balance due to be paid and when it was due, any discharge due from the Crown for any charges on the property except leases, a note relating to woods and any exceptions from the grant, such as bell metal and advowsons. There follows the commissioners' signatures. The text of the rated particulars were then entered into these entry books by clerks of the rates appointed by the commissioners.