Court of Wards and Liveries

The Court of Wards and Liveries was a tax authority for the administration of fiefs whose Lehnserben were children, and for the investiture of Neubelehnten in England in the 16th and 17th centuries.

It was founded by two statutes of King Henry VIII, first in 1540 (32 Henry VIII c. 46) the Court of the King's Wards, then the 1542 (33 Henry VIII c. 22) of the previously independent Court of liveries was connected. First Master of the Court was William Paulet, 1st Marquess of Winchester. The task of the Court is to administer royal fief, which had fallen by inheritance to minors (pupil ), so as not age, imbecile or deaf Lehnserben, until these become heritable and could take up the feud by paying a levy (sue out his livery ). Often the confiscated in the meantime lands were also sold to the highest bidder.

In addition to these fiscal responsibilities, it was incumbent on the Court but also to ensure the practical care of his ward; especially mentally deficient (natural fools ) stood by hergebrachter opinion, under the direct tutelage of the king. He also drew fines for Marriage closures without a royal assent and had the right king widows refuse permission for remarriage.

During the Puritan Revolution and the abolition of the Knights back of the court was disbanded in 1645 by the Long Parliament, after the Restoration, his abolition of Charles II was formally confirmed (12 Charles II c. 24).