Exemplification of a Fine and Recovery in the Court of Common Pleas from John Stacy to Richard Lone for the Manor of Romshed (or Rumstead in Sevenoaks and Tonbridge).

The pendant Seal of the Court of Common Pleas in brown wax, attached by vellum tag, on vellum, 260 x 340 mm., Court of Common Pleas, 9 October [1559]

A particularly fine impression of the Court’s seal, showing the Queen enthroned on the obverse and the royal arms on the reverse, with the matrix lugs untrimmed.

Other deeds relating to properties in the neighbourhood owned at this period by Richard Lone are among the Stanhope of Chevening Estate Papers, in the Kent History and Library Centre.

This is a splendid example the First seal for the Court of Common Pleas, first issued in 1558.

An English Royal Court applying Common Law to judge civil disputes was called the court of ‘common pleas’ to denote suits not involving the Monarch. It sat in Westminster Hall from the early thirteenth century onwards. 15-20 weeks a year. Nearly all the civil suits were within its jurisdiction, and it also had jurisdiction over manorial and local courts. The Court of Common Pleas was the chief creator of Common Law precedents. The appellate court for decisions made here was the Court of King’s Bench. The Court of Common Pleas was merged into the High Court by the Judicature Acts 1873-75.