Exchequer of Chester
Encyclopedia
The Exchequer of Chester was a fiscal court based in the County Palatine
of Chester
. In 1071 the Earldom of Chester
was created, and due to the Earldom's size it ruled Chester almost entirely independently as a County Palatine. This arrangement necessitated a large number of officials, including several "barons" who specialised in the financial administration of the County. These gradually became a fiscal court, made up of the "Barons of the Exchequer", in a similar arrangement to that at Westminster
. The earliest records of this organisation come from 1121, when the Earl granted various charters to Chester Abbey. The Exchequer continued working after The Crown
took over the County in 1237, mainly concerning itself with collecting the rent from local tenants. The Exchequer's supreme jurisdiction over Chester was confirmed by the Court of Common Pleas
in 1568, and it continued operating until 1830, when it was abolished and its powers transferred to the Exchequer and Court of Chancery
.
County palatine
A county palatine or palatinate is an area ruled by an hereditary nobleman possessing special authority and autonomy from the rest of a kingdom or empire. The name derives from the Latin adjective palatinus, "relating to the palace", from the noun palatium, "palace"...
of Chester
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
. In 1071 the Earldom of Chester
Earl of Chester
The Earldom of Chester was one of the most powerful earldoms in medieval England. Since 1301 the title has generally been granted to heirs-apparent to the English throne, and from the late 14th century it has been given only in conjunction with that of Prince of Wales.- Honour of Chester :The...
was created, and due to the Earldom's size it ruled Chester almost entirely independently as a County Palatine. This arrangement necessitated a large number of officials, including several "barons" who specialised in the financial administration of the County. These gradually became a fiscal court, made up of the "Barons of the Exchequer", in a similar arrangement to that at Westminster
Exchequer of pleas
The Exchequer of Pleas or Court of Exchequer was a court that followed equity, a set of legal principles based on natural law, and common law, in England and Wales. Originally part of the curia regis, or King's Council, the Exchequer of Pleas split from the curia during the 1190s, to sit as an...
. The earliest records of this organisation come from 1121, when the Earl granted various charters to Chester Abbey. The Exchequer continued working after The Crown
The Crown
The Crown is a corporation sole that in the Commonwealth realms and any provincial or state sub-divisions thereof represents the legal embodiment of governance, whether executive, legislative, or judicial...
took over the County in 1237, mainly concerning itself with collecting the rent from local tenants. The Exchequer's supreme jurisdiction over Chester was confirmed by the Court of Common Pleas
Court of Common Pleas (England)
The Court of Common Pleas, or Common Bench, was a common law court in the English legal system that covered "common pleas"; actions between subject and subject, which did not concern the king. Created in the late 12th to early 13th century after splitting from the Exchequer of Pleas, the Common...
in 1568, and it continued operating until 1830, when it was abolished and its powers transferred to the Exchequer and Court of Chancery
Court of Chancery
The Court of Chancery was a court of equity in England and Wales that followed a set of loose rules to avoid the slow pace of change and possible harshness of the common law. The Chancery had jurisdiction over all matters of equity, including trusts, land law, the administration of the estates of...
.