| Description | Some documents, mainly examinations and depositions taken before the mayor have been filed separately from the quarter sessions files.
Early sixteenth century to 1621
Examinations relate mainly to felony, brawling and immorality, but there are also some relating to disputes over trade or payment of customs, recusancy and settlements. A small minority of the documents relate to cases of debt and trespass; there are also reports on the progress of actions through the courts, and an occasional bill of costs. Most of the documents, especially in the seventeenth century, are taken "coram maiore" (before the Mayor) but probably in his capacity as a Justice- most of the aldermen who from time to time sign the examinations, are also Justices.
All documents in connection with civil actions which are not depositions, have been noted, and any other documents of particular or special interest.
The descriptions of the files in the H.M.C. report and in Irvine's catalogue bear no resemblance to the files as they are now described. Also the original bundles left in some confusion by Lamacraft after repair, were obviously not all made up of single files. They have been accepted and described as they were found; small errors in chronology have been corrected and each bundle has been renumbered.
1766-1834
The examinations deal with cases of assault, bastardy, settlement and felony with a few other subjects; there are also related papers, recognizances, warrants for arrest and instructions to the Keeper of the Northgate gaol. These are taken before the Mayor or some other Justoce of the Peace.
The papers were found loose. They have been repaired by Miss Smith (Dec 1952) arranged chronologically and numbered.
Not all items in each file have been calendared
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