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Notes of Fines Files, 39 Elizabeth I, Easter
May 2-9,
1597

CP 26/1/251

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CP 26/1/251
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Images reproduced by permission of The National Archives, London, England.

Terms of use
The National Archives give no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for the purpose of the information provided.
Images may be used only for purposes of research, private study or education.  Applications for any other use should be made to The National Archives Image Library, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU, Tel: 020 8392 5225   Fax: 020 8392 5266.

Document-specific information
Creator: Court of Common Pleas
Title: Notes of Fines Files, 39 Eliz I Easter
Date: May 2-9, 1597
Repository: The National Archives, Kew, UK
Call number and opening: CP 26/1/251
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Item Creator
Court of Common Pleas
Item Date
May 2-9, 1597
Repository
The National Archives, Kew, UK
Call Number
CP 26/1/251

Institution Rights and Document Citation

 

Images reproduced by permission of The National Archives, London, England.

Terms of use
The National Archives give no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for the purpose of the information provided.
Images may be used only for purposes of research, private study or education.  Applications for any other use should be made to The National Archives Image Library, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU, Tel: 020 8392 5225   Fax: 020 8392 5266.

Document-specific information
Creator: Court of Common Pleas
Title: Notes of Fines Files, 39 Eliz I Easter
Date: May 2-9, 1597
Repository: The National Archives, Kew, UK
Call number and opening: CP 26/1/251
View online bibliographic record

 

In May 1597, the freehold title to New Place passed from William Underhill to William Shakespeare. This would normally have been recorded in a formal deed of conveyance, signed by both parties. This deed no longer survives, but we do have good documentation of a ritualized process in the central Court of Common Pleas, known as a final concord, whereby the change in title was “registered” as a form of security should a dispute later arise.

The first stage in the process had been the concord, whereby the justices authorised the drawing up of further documentation and the wording to be used. The next stage was to prepare a more consolidated version, known as the the note of fine, shown here, bringing together the description of the property and incorporating the required legal formula. This had been specified by the Lord Chief Justice, Edmund Anderson, at the concord stage, and his name therefore occurs in the left margin. The wording below the main paragraph would be formally incorporated at the final stage to date the agreement. This was expressed by the archaic use of the court’s “return days,” i.e. to the fifth week of the Easter term. In 1597, the fifth week of Easter term was May 2 to 9, corresponding with the date of May 8 given on the concord.  

For further details about the 1597 note of fine, see the general essay for Shakespeare's purchase of New Place.

Last updated February 1, 2020