THE SEIGNEURIAL TITLES OF THE NORMAN ISLANDS
OF THE CHANNEL. GUERNSEY TITLES.
(VI) Seignorial court procedures
Court members
Usually the courts have at least the following members (name in French as usual at the time, followed by the English equivalent)
-Senechal (Steward). Is the President of the Court. Usually once it has been designated by the Seigneur it is for life unless renounced.
-First Lieutenant-Senechal. The first nominated vavasseur (jury) may act as lieutenant-senechal. Usually once is been designated by the Seigneur it is for life unless renounced.
-Vavasseurs (jury). A minimum of two. They may be removed by the Seigneur but only under special circumstances.
-Prevot (Sheriff). It is designated for one year (Pour l’annee…) but may be renewed.
Usually the courts have at least the following members (name in French as usual at the time, followed by the English equivalent)
-Senechal (Steward). Is the President of the Court. Usually once it has been designated by the Seigneur it is for life unless renounced.
-First Lieutenant-Senechal. The first nominated vavasseur (jury) may act as lieutenant-senechal. Usually once is been designated by the Seigneur it is for life unless renounced.
-Vavasseurs (jury). A minimum of two. They may be removed by the Seigneur but only under special circumstances.
-Prevot (Sheriff). It is designated for one year (Pour l’annee…) but may be renewed.
Court officers
(they are allowed to speak but not to vote)
-Greffier (Clerk). It is the secretary (normally a lawyer). May be removed by the Seigneur but there is no tradition to change except on very rare occasions
-Sergent (sergeant). May be removed by the Seigneur but there is no tradition to change except on very rare occasions.
(they are allowed to speak but not to vote)
-Greffier (Clerk). It is the secretary (normally a lawyer). May be removed by the Seigneur but there is no tradition to change except on very rare occasions
-Sergent (sergeant). May be removed by the Seigneur but there is no tradition to change except on very rare occasions.
Procedure for the celebration
of the Court meeting
Entrance: Members,
officers and public come and sit. The Seigneur
may assist or not.
Beginning: The Sergeant calls to order and says “La Cour”. All stand up.
La oraison dominicale: The Greffier start the prayer “ (Lords prayer) ”. Then all sit.
Evocation (La Role): Listing Roll. The Greffier call of persons present.
Ratification des actes: Ratification.
Plaids de cour (pleas): New actions are presented in writing by the Seigneur or by any member of the public by demand. They are given to the Greffier and read by the Senechal.
Rapport du Seigneur (optional). It is read by the Senechal. (The Seigneur never address the Court directly except with permission of the Court.)
Questions (asked by the Senechal)
Final prayer: The Greffier start “La Grace” and all stand up.
<The seneschal adjourns the Court.>
Beginning: The Sergeant calls to order and says “La Cour”. All stand up.
La oraison dominicale: The Greffier start the prayer “ (Lords prayer) ”. Then all sit.
Evocation (La Role): Listing Roll. The Greffier call of persons present.
Ratification des actes: Ratification.
Plaids de cour (pleas): New actions are presented in writing by the Seigneur or by any member of the public by demand. They are given to the Greffier and read by the Senechal.
Rapport du Seigneur (optional). It is read by the Senechal. (The Seigneur never address the Court directly except with permission of the Court.)
Questions (asked by the Senechal)
Final prayer: The Greffier start “La Grace” and all stand up.
<The seneschal adjourns the Court.>
Establishment of Court Agenda:
Usually the draft of the agenda
(ordre-du-jour) is established
by the Seigneur with the knowledge
of the Senechal. The Greffier
prepares the final document and it is sent to the Seignerur.
Even the Royal Court calls by mail. The document is usually not signed.
Appointment and Oath of the
Court members:
If
there has been no court for years, the Seigneur designated new seneschal
should take the oath at the Royal Court. For that reason the Seigneur
must address the Royal Court (with the assistance of a lawyer) for that
purpose.
If there is a court, the new members are among the public. The Seigneur has previously informed verbally to the Senechal the name and post of the new member. Also the Seigneur has written an “action document”, as any other action demanded by the Seigneur to the court. This document is given to the Greffier. The Greffier reads the “action document” and the Senechal asks the Court if there is any objection. If the vote is favorable, then he calls the new member and reads the oath to him. Afterwards the new member takes his place.
If there is a court, the new members are among the public. The Seigneur has previously informed verbally to the Senechal the name and post of the new member. Also the Seigneur has written an “action document”, as any other action demanded by the Seigneur to the court. This document is given to the Greffier. The Greffier reads the “action document” and the Senechal asks the Court if there is any objection. If the vote is favorable, then he calls the new member and reads the oath to him. Afterwards the new member takes his place.
