Catalogue description Exchequer: Pipe Office: Drafts of Crown Leases

At the annexation of the Court of Augmentations to the Exchequer in 1554, the responsibility for leasing of Crown land was split between the Exchequer and the Chancery, the criteria being the amount of yearly rent a lease involved. Leases for lands worth over forty shillings in rent were to pass through Chancery and be authenticated by the great seal. Leases for lands of forty shillings or less were to pass under the Exchequer seal and were to be prepared by the Clerk of the Pipe on the warrant of the Treasurer. After receipt of the warrant the Pipe Office prepared a draft lease in preparation for final engrossing.