Legal Definitions - monstraverunt

Monstraverunt is a historical legal term from medieval English law. It refers to a specific type of legal order, known as a writ, that provided protection to tenants living on lands classified as "ancient demesne." These were lands that had belonged directly to the Crown (the king) at the time of the Domesday Book survey in 1086. Tenants on these special lands enjoyed certain traditional rights and protections that distinguished them from tenants on other manors.

The writ of monstraverunt was issued when a lord, who had been granted control over an ancient demesne manor, attempted to demand more services, rents, or duties from his tenants than what was customarily owed according to their established tenure. Essentially, if the lord tried to increase the burdens on his tenants beyond what was historically required, the tenants could appeal directly to the king. The king would then issue a writ of monstraverunt, ordering the lord to cease these excessive demands and adhere to the traditional customs of the manor. The term itself is Latin for "they have showed," referring to the tenants presenting their grievances to the king.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of a writ of monstraverunt:

• Imagine a village called Oakhaven, which was recorded as ancient demesne. The tenants traditionally owed their lord three days of labor on his fields each week. A new lord takes over and, seeking to increase his profits, demands five days of labor instead, threatening to seize their crops if they refuse. The tenants, knowing their rights on ancient demesne land, collectively petition the king, explaining the lord's excessive demands. The king, upon receiving their "showing" (monstraverunt), issues a writ ordering the lord of Oakhaven to revert to the customary three days of labor, protecting the tenants from the increased burden.

• In the manor of Stonebridge, also ancient demesne, tenants had always paid a fixed annual rent in silver. The current lord, facing financial difficulties, suddenly imposes a new "bridge toll" on anyone using the manor's bridge, even though the bridge maintenance was traditionally covered by the existing rents. The tenants argue that this is a new and unauthorized exaction beyond their established tenure. They appeal to the royal chancery, presenting their case. A writ of monstraverunt is issued, commanding the lord to abolish the new toll, as it constitutes an unlawful increase in their customary obligations.

• Consider the tenants of Willow Creek, an ancient demesne manor, who traditionally provided a certain number of chickens and eggs to their lord as part of their annual tribute. The lord, however, decides he prefers venison and demands that the tenants now supply deer meat instead, a service they have never performed and which would require them to hunt on his private lands, risking severe penalties. Feeling unjustly burdened by this change in the nature of their service, the tenants present their grievance to the king. A writ of monstraverunt is then dispatched, instructing the lord to respect the established customs and not compel the tenants to perform services outside their traditional tenure.