Catalogue description Assizes: Midland, Northern, Oxford, Wales and Chester, and Western Circuits: Pardons

This series contains conditional pardons under the royal sign manual sent to the Midland Circuit, 1866 to 1949, Northern Circuit, 1948 to 1949, Oxford Circuit, 1944 to 1974, Wales and Chester Circuit, 1946 to 1947 and Western Circuit, 1948.The pardons are normally on a pre-printed form, and recite that whereas a person was convicted at a place, on a date, of a crime, and sentenced (all those details being specified), the monarch has considered certain circumstances and extended the royal pardon on condition (usually that a lesser sentence be imposed). The royal pleasure is that the recipient of the pardon (usually the justices of assize, the high sheriff, and the prison governor) shall give the necessary directions accordingly. Such pardons are signed by the home secretary, and signed at the top by the monarch.