The inquiry into complaints against the ministers of Eleanor of Castile 1291-92: Its administrative and legal significance

Abstract

Upon the death of Eleanor of Castile on 28 November, 1290, a special commission was set up by the king - in deference to the queen's dying requests - to hear complaints against Eleanor's ministers and to redress any wrongs committed by them in her name. This commission, under the presidency of Ralph of Ivyngho, was appointed on 6 January, 1291, and carried on its activities during that year and in 1292. The Commissioners worked from three centres - Westminster, Bury St. Edmund's and Salisbury - and these places were possibly chosen because of their connection with the main blocks of the queen's lands. The fact that some of the records of the Commissioners' courts at these three places have survived (P.R.O. assize rolls 542, 836, 1014) has made possible a study of the whole inquiry. The queen's ministers were charged with disseisin of various types, extortionate demands, malversation or justice and violent methods, and some of her ministers were persistent offenders. The majority of the pleas were brought from the southern and south-western counties where Eleanor held lands. The pleadings throw some light on the obscure processes of the administration of her estates and we are able to catch glimpses of Eleanor's stewards and bailiffs, the officials most prominent before the Justices, at work - collecting money, administering Justice and carrying out the queen's commands. From the legal point of view, the commission is Interesting from the fact that it coincides in time with the famous 'trial of the Judges.' Unlike the commissioners appointed to inquire into misdeeds of the king's officials, Ivingho and his colleagues were to hear and determine cases brought before them. Many pleas, however, were eventually concluded before the king and his council, of whose Jurisdiction the records give many interesting examples. Almost £1,000 was paid by Eleanor's executors in 'emende' to wronged persons. The whole episode shows that there were considerable malpractices upon the queen's estates, though not sufficiently serious to make us do more than question the saintly reputation of the queen.