Legal Definitions - Master of Requests

A Master of Requests was a historical judicial officer in England, serving as a judge within the Court of Requests. This court, which operated from the late 15th century until its abolition in the mid-17th century, was established to hear petitions from individuals who sought justice but found the traditional common law courts too expensive, slow, or inaccessible. Often, these petitioners were people of modest means or those with grievances against powerful individuals or even the Crown. The Master of Requests was responsible for reviewing these petitions, hearing arguments, and issuing judgments based on principles of equity and fairness, rather than the strict procedures of common law.

• Example 1: A Farmer's Land Dispute
  Imagine a small farmer in 16th-century England whose common grazing land, essential for his livestock, is unjustly enclosed by a wealthy local lord. Unable to afford the lengthy and costly legal proceedings in the common law courts, the farmer drafts a petition directly to the King, seeking intervention. A Master of Requests would then be assigned to review this petition. They would summon the lord to appear, hear both sides of the dispute, and, if the enclosure was found to be unjust or unlawful according to the principles of equity, could issue a judgment ordering the lord to restore the farmer's access to the common land.

• Example 2: A Merchant's Confiscated Goods
  Consider a London merchant whose shipment of valuable textiles is seized by a customs official at port, ostensibly for a minor administrative error, but the merchant suspects the official acted out of malice or corruption. The merchant believes the common law courts would be too slow to resolve the matter, potentially ruining his business. He could present a petition to the Court of Requests. A Master of Requests would investigate the circumstances of the seizure, examine the official's conduct, and if the confiscation was deemed arbitrary or unjust, could order the return of the goods or appropriate compensation, providing a quicker and more accessible remedy than other courts.

• Example 3: A Servant's Unpaid Wages
  Suppose a domestic servant in the early 17th century is dismissed by their employer without receiving several months of agreed-upon wages. The amount owed, while significant to the servant, might be too small to justify the expense and complexity of pursuing a claim in the common law courts. The servant could submit a petition to the Court of Requests. A Master of Requests would hear the servant's claim and the employer's defense, aiming to provide a swift and equitable resolution to ensure the servant received their rightful earnings, demonstrating the court's role in addressing grievances for those with limited resources.