Quarter Sessions were not established in Durham until after 1536. They were held by the Justices of the Peace (also known as magistrates), four times a year, at Epiphany, Easter, Midsummer and Michaelmas. Quarter Sessions had a judicial function dealing with criminal matters from petty larceny to rape cases. They also had an administrative function. Administrative orders were made at Quarter Sessions concerning the repair of bridges and highways, the maintenance of gaols, the
poor law and many other matters. Constables, both high or chief (of the ward) and petty (of the parish or constabulary) had to attend sessions and were sworn in before the court. In Durham only one main record was kept of the proceedings at Quarter Sessions: the ‘order books’. In these volumes the clerk briefly recorded the official business of the court of Quarter Sessions, both judicial, noting pleas and judgements, and administrative.
The indictment rolls (sometimes called plea rolls) were only presentments of indictments by the grand jury to the court. Sometimes a note of the plea of the accused was added, but rarely the judgement. Early rolls also had a copy of the justices’ writ to the sheriff to summons or arrest persons indicted for the next sessions. Indictments were written on long membranes of parchment, fastened at the head and rolled.
You will find more information on the Quarter Sessions and details of our holdings in catalogues which can be searched online or in an online leaflet.
