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Page updated: April 13, 2007
Court Leet 2007
Deb Laing Tengrove, pictured below, told us: "Since
my family acquired the title of Lord of the Manor and Borough of Hatherleigh
in 1791, the Manor Courts have been held with only small breaks in continuity
for the last 216 years. Records of Courts held in Hatherleigh, when it
was in the hands of Tavistock Abbey, go back to the 15th Century and so
it is a very ancient tradition here in the town. My late father and I
,as historians (myself an archaeologist), have been keen to maintain the
historic tradition. Although over the last few hundred years the functions
of the Court have changed, as has the structure of the Court to a degree,
we have both viewed the Court, in its modern context, very much as an
alternative forum for the people of Hatherleigh. A forum that retains
elements of something very ancient and connected to the rural agricultural
environment, but one which can be relevant to now. As such, as well as
performing its function of the playing out of an ancient tradition and
keeping it alive, it is also a social event which has entertaining elements
as well as a serious side. It is somewhere where people can come and air
their views, decisions will be made and actions taken. The structure of
the Court has myself at the head, with my Steward and Bailiff conducting
procedure; they are appointed by myself. The rest of the Court Officers
are appointed by the Court and Jury and can be co-opted. Other Courts
still held in Devon will follow slightly different lines according to
their structure, and have different officers and procedures. There are
quite a number still functioning in the country. Many are now vested in
Councils who took over the running of the Manor and/or Borough from individuals."
Deb was also kind enough to send this
document, which lists the Order of Proceedings for the 2007 meeting.
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