200 THE MANOR COURT
safely proceed to examine the workings of the court as it
flourished in the time of the three Edwards.
We have seen that the suitor was bound by ancient formula to
attend from three weeks to three weeks, and this has led many
writers to assert that the courts were normally held at this brief
interval.1 The records themselves do not substantiate this, but
show a bewildering variety of practice; indeed it would not be
hard to show that on some manors it was the practice for the
court to be held once, or twice or thrice a year; on others there
was a court every three weeks—or even more frequently! Un-
doubtedly local conditions determined the matter, and in many
instances the amalgamation of the seigneurial court with the
court leet and view of frank-pledge2 made it convenient and
economical to hold but two courts a year. Then again, many
manors were held by great lords, or by ecclesiastical corporations,
who found it impossible to attend in person, but were repre-
sented by their steward who came from time to time to deal with
the agricultural and economic state of the manor, as well as to
preside over its legal proceedings. Hence, as Maitland notes,
"We may follow the Steward as he makes his tour twice a year
throughout England, carrying his rolls with him" ;3 and there is
much to be said for the view that the greater landowners were
finding this bi-annual court a perfectly satisfactory compromise.4
The reason why lords constantly made use of the phrase "from
three weeks to three weeks" is quite understandable. So long as
this was on record, he could afford to interpret it as leniently as
he wished: he knew the lawyers would uphold him if it came to
question—as indeed they did.5
But whether the court sat frequently or seldom it was essential
that the suitors should know exactly when they had to attend,
1 Before 1234 courts were commonly held fortnightly, but an ordinance of
that year said they should not be held more frequently than at three-weekly
intervals. See Ann. Dunst. (R.S.), 139-140. This ordinance was not strictly
obeyed, however.
* These had to be held twice yearly by the second reissue of the Great
Charter of 1217, cap. 42.
* Selden Soc. n, 3; and cf. Collectanea, Wore. Hist. Soc. 1912, p. 125;
Crcndal Records, 148 n.
4 But note VinogradofFs verdict: "Cases like that of the manors of the
Abbey of Ramsey, in which the courts are summoned only twice a year, are
quite exceptional." Villainage, 366.
* See Page, Cropland Estates, 39, and the authorities quoted there.