PAST AND PRESENT
The Court Leet’s origins and role
Warwick’s Court Leet was established by Royal Charter in 1554, giving the Earl of Warwick authority to ensure good practice in trade and to try, by jury, and punish, all crimes committed within the jurisdiction.
For medieval traders, the Court Leet was responsible for the weights and measures and the quality of goods offered for sale by the tradesmen in the town, including the ale, bread, meat, fish, and cheese.
Members of the Jury had a duty to ‘present’ all matters amiss or matters that they considered to be for its improvement or good governance to the Steward for the Earl’s attention.
“Warwick Court Leet maintains the traditions of the 1554 Court”
The Court Leet Today
Warwick Court Leet remains a legal body within English Law and continues to be an advisory body to Warwick Town Council for the betterment of the town and its governance.
Maintaining the traditions of the 1554 Court, it holds four formal Court meetings during the year in addition to the ceremonies of ale-tasting, bread and butter weighing, fish and flesh tasting. Members of the Court also support the Mayor of Warwick and the Town Council at Civic and town events.
The Court hosts fundraising events, including the Warwick Court Leet Beer, Cider, & Music Festivals, and the Warwick Classic Car Show.
Any profits made through the Court’s events are made available to the Warwick community through its Grant Funding Programme, which supports local good causes and charities. In total, the Court has awarded more than £50,000 in grant funding since 2015.