The Westminster Abbey Muniments is a collection of
muniment
A muniment or muniment of title is a legal term for a document, title deed or other evidence, that indicates ownership of an asset. The word is derived from the Latin noun ''munimentum'', meaning a "fortification, bulwark, defence or protection". ...
s and
manuscripts
A manuscript (abbreviated MS for singular and MSS for plural) was, traditionally, any document written by hand – or, once practical typewriters became available, typewritten – as opposed to mechanically printed or reproduced i ...
comprising
archives
An archive is an accumulation of historical records or materials – in any medium – or the physical facility in which they are located.
Archives contain primary source documents that have accumulated over the course of an individual o ...
of
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, is an historic, mainly Gothic church in the City of Westminster, London, England, just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is one of the United ...
from the tenth century to the present day. The core of the collection contains accounts, manuscripts, and court records of the large estate. Before they were put together in the archives, they were scattered across southern and mid-England.
Notable Items
*Charters of the Anglo-Saxons
*Leases of the Westminster Abbey
*Coroners' Inquests for the City of Westminster (1760-1880)
Royals and Administrators with Westminster Abbey Documents and Manuscripts
*
Lord Steward
The Lord Steward or Lord Steward of the Household is an official of the Royal Household in England. He is always a peer. Until 1924, he was always a member of the Government. Until 1782, the office was one of considerable political importance a ...
*Almoner and Cellarer
Court Records of Westminster Abbey
On account of criminal activity, immigration, poverty and immorality, Westminster Abbey was used as a monumental court for many years. In the archives, there are many records of court cases from the Court of Burgesses. In 1700 alone the court heard sixty-eight cases of failure to repair the streets, fifty-six cases of selling in false measures, and twenty-five other regulatory cases, as well as seventeen cases of disorderly, bawdy or gaming houses.
Further reading
*
Westminster Law Records
External links
Westminster Abbey Muniment Collection websiteWestminster Local Government
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Westminster Abbey
Archives in the City of Westminster
English manuscripts