Catalogue description Gifts and Deposits: Star Chamber Papers

The name of the defendant is given first, with the date on which the writ was returnable, followed by the words 'ad sectam' [at the suit of] and the name of the plaintiff. The first letter of the surname of the first named plaintiff is entered in the margin as a finding aid, enabling rapid search of the register.

Writs issued on behalf of the Crown, the attorney general or the king's almoner are so identified in the margin. Similarly writs of privilege, issued on behalf of officers of the court are noticed by the word 'privilege' in the margin, the particular officer being named in the text of the entry. Subpoenas issued not only for the initial appearance of the defendant to make his answer, but also to secure a response [rejoinder] to the plaintiff's replication, [plaintiff's response to the defendant's answer] or to summon witnesses to appear in court.

Writs renewed or issued by former warrant are so identified, often by the brief annotations 'ren' or 'vet[us]'. Between 1598 and 1611, and possibly at other dates also, such writs were separately registered, together with instruments issued on behalf of the King's Almoner [identified as E R].

Writs of attachment and commissions of rebellion, intended to secure the appearance of a contumacious defendant, were addressed to the sheriff, and are identified in the margin by the name of the county into which the writ was issued, or to the warden of the prison to which the defendant had been committed. Most of these latter writs were addressed to the warden of the Fleet, although the warden of the Sink is also mentioned.