The boundaries.
They then record the boundaries of the township (including the hamlet of Walsworth) as follows, viz.:—
- 'From Orton Head to Burford Ray,
- and from thence to a Water Mill called Hide Mill,
- and from thence to Willberry Hills,
- and from thence to a place called Bossendell,
- and from thence to a Water Mill called Purwell Mill,
- and from thence to a Brook or River called Ippollitt's Brook,
- and from thence to Maydencroft Lane,
- and from thence to a place called Wellhead,
- and from thence to a place called Stubborn Bush,
- and from thence to a place called Offley Cross,
- and from thence to Five Borough Hills [Five Barrows],
- and from thence back to Orton Head, where the boundaries commenced.'
The form in which these boundaries are given is of great antiquity. It is a form used by the Romans two thousand years ago, and almost continuously followed from that time to this.[7] Its importance for [p010] the purpose in hand will be manifest as the inquiry proceeds.
The courts.
The jurisdiction of the Court Leet and View of Frankpledge is recorded to extend within the foregoing boundaries, i.e. over the township, that of the Court Baron beyond them over the whole manor, which was more extensive than the township. The Court Leet is therefore the Court of the township, the Court Baron that of the manor.
It is then stated that in the Court Leet at Michaelmas the jurors of the king elect and present to the lord—
The officers.
Two constables,
Six headboroughs (two for each of the three wards),