| Description | The Court of Pleas was concerned with minor offences (trespasses) but it was possible to have cases raised to a higher court, such as Chancery, if the crime warranted it. There are two series of official Court Books and Files that are distinguished according to the different actions brought i.e. Pleas of Debt and Trespass or Pleas of Land. There is rarely such a distinction at bundle level in the court process papers. The Court of Pleas was held fortnightly under jurisdiction of the Mayor, Recorder and Bailiffs of Berwick-upon-Tweed according to the terms of the 1604 Royal Charter. |