The barmoot jury

[racingsnake]

Does any one know how the 12 jurymen of the barmoot court are elected ???

 

[Walrus]

Info here: http://www.duchyoflancaster.co.uk/output/page74.asp

The current Barmaster is Mr. E.T. Tennant (who is also the Duchy Mineral Agent) appointed in April 2002 following the resignation of Mr. W. M. Erskine (who was the previous Duchy Mineral Agent and who held this post from 1974 to 2002).

The Grand Jury of the Barmote Court is formed of twelve men to be resident within the jurisdiction of the Court in the High Peak, or resident and working within Wirksworth. They are summoned by the Barmaster to attend the Court, view mines and to give an opinion in matters put to them.

 

[wormster]

Here's more:

http://www.wirksworth.org.uk/A06W-TOD.htm

http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/lead-chapter2.pdf

 

[racingsnake]

Thats fantastic Walrus and wormster just what I was looking for thanks.

 

[wormster]

No worries,

You trying to get elected??

 

[racingsnake]

No not trying to get elected, although I wouldnt mind, No I am doing a research project into derbyshire lead mining. I cut my caving teeth in the Peak in the late 80,s and have decided to do a work on lead mining. Any pointers you have gratefully recieved.

 

[gus horsley]

There's an equivalent down here in Cornwall which was the Stannary Courts but they haven't really held any power since the mid 19th centry, even though some people still try to invoke some of their laws.

 

[racingsnake]

Gus Do you know anymore about it . What kind of mining etc ? any historical links.

 

[digscaves]

Check out http://www.nmrs.co.uk/mainframeset.htm this organisation has a very good library.
The chap to try to speak to in the NMRS is called Mike Gill.

 

[gus horsley]

Gus Do you know anymore about it . What kind of mining etc ? any historical links.

Stannary courts applied exclusively to tin workings and were set up in the thirteenth century.  There were about 15 Stannary Towns where the courts sat, located in Devon and Cornwall.  These were centred on the tin streaming areas of the day but when deep mining commenced in the eighteenth century they started to become redundant.  They settled legal disputes, diversion of streams, etc and "coinage" which was basically knocking the corner off a tin ingot (which then went to the crown) and arranging for the same ingot to be stamped as having paid its duty.  There was even a stannary gaol for offenders.

I can tell you much more but I haven't got any links at the moment.

 

[racingsnake]

Brilliant Gus. Anymore you can let me have would be fantastic. I am doing a research project so all help greatfully recieved.

 

[Peter Burgess]

There is or was a guy in the Trevithick Society who knew a thing or two about the Stannaries. Justin Brooke? Or was it someone else? Anyway, might be worth getting in touch via their website. Also, there's a UK mining history email group where learned types discuss this sort of thing. I'll try to dig out a link. Unless someone else can help?

 

[wormster]

This might help:

http://www.namho.org/

 

[racingsnake]

Thanks every one keep it coming I will be setting up a website when the book is finished my hope is to post some extracts of my work.
PETE would you like to voluteer to proof read ???????

 

[Peter Burgess]

Thanks every one keep it coming I will be setting up a website when the book is finished my hope is to post some extracts of my work.
PETE would you like to voluteer to proof read ???????

ONLY if you put it through a spell-checker, if this post is anything like your first draft. :tease:

 

[Mrs Trellis]

Just as an aside - if you're a fan of classic British comedy then Tim Brooke-Taylor (I'm sorry I'll read that again, I'm sorry I haven't a clue, The Goodies etc.) is a member of the High Peak Brooke-Taylor Solicitors of which W. Michael , Tim's uncle iirc, wrote "The Ballad of The Great Barmote Court" which is in the BCRA library (via PDMHS).
It is apparent that the Bakewell branch of the Brooke-Taylors holds many Barmote court documents.

BCRA Library

Some interesting bits on the other Barmote Court at Monyash

High Peak Barmote Court 1855 - 1901

 

[racingsnake]

Thanks every one keep it coming I will be setting up a website when the book is finished my hope is to post some extracts of my work.
PETE would you like to voluteer to proof read ???????

ONLY if you put it through a spell-checker, if this post is anything like your first draft. :tease:

Thought you wouldnt notice.
As I have told you already I have to type fast while at work I can spell really honest

 

[racingsnake]

Also forgot to say

Thanks Pete

I will send it to you by chapter.

 

[gus horsley]

Try and get hold of a copy of "The History of Tin Mining and Smelting in Cornwall" by Bradfford Barton.  There was also a book by Lewis (sorry can't remember the first name) called "The Stannaries" but it was written about a hundred years ago and is fairly incomprehensible.

A few other snippets:  Under Stannary law tinners didn't have to practice archery and were generally exempt from military service.

They were allowed to search for tin anywhere without opposition, except in churchyards and orchards.

They were allowed to divert streams as long as they didn't cause silting of rivers or ports.  The former port of Lostwithiel ended up redunandant due to silting from tin works on Bodmin Moor.

Got to get back to work.  I'll post more later.