Catalogue description Chancery Files, Tower and Rolls Chapel Series, Recorda

The files in this series contain copies of documents held in other courts and offices required for the business of Chancery, whether for disputes there pending or for the issue of exemplifications, which were called in by the various types of writ certiorari or similar writs.

They include transcripts from the central courts of King's Bench, Common Pleas, Admiralty, Parliament and Star Chamber, from the Justices Itinerant, of Gaol Delivery and those acting under Special Commission. From the Exchequer transcripts of non-current records deposited by other courts, of Domesday Book and of current accounting records were called in to Chancery.

Records from local courts held by justices of the peace, in towns and at the Staples, as well as inquests before coroners are filed here, together with transcripts of enrolments of testaments and deeds in local courts and a variety of miscellaneous certificates concerning customs and services of a manor, abjurations of the realm, presentments to sheriffs, and the names of those outlawed. A small amount of material from the Chamberlain of Scotland, from Ireland and the Channel Islands has also been included.

The series also includes material which should be among the records of the Court of Requests: REQ 3