Note 323 — Book VIII.

Lords, at first, had but a domestic Jurisdiction, in order to compel their Tenants’ Services, and to maintain peace and order amongst them. Afterwards, in imitation of the Sovereign’s Court, Lords caused Records to be made before their own officers of the transactions which had taken place in their Courts. But, as these Records derived their chief or rather only strength, from the parties voluntarily submitting to them, the authority of the Lords was gradually weakened; and, as murmurs began to increase against the decisions of their Courts, a reference to the King’s Court became the only resort of the Lords. (Traités sur les Coutumes Anglo-Normandes par M. Houard, p. 507. Tom. 1.)