This year, I thought it was time I attended the annual occurrence of the Great Barmote Court, the Derbyshire lead miner's court. The exact age of the court is unknown, but we do know it was recognised as a legal entity in 1288 so it's certainly well over 800 years old, and although lead is only raised as a sideline of other mineral extraction nowadays, the court (as formalised by 1851 and 1852 acts of Parliament) still administers lead mining and the payment of dues to the Duchy of Lancaster.

Having scrubbed myself up suitably I headed down to Wirksworth, where the court meets in its own building, the Moot Hallhttp://www.duchyoflancaster.co.uk/output/derbyshire.aspx . I deliberately turned up early as I wanted a chat with Jim Rieuwerts (who is the Jury Foreman of the court)but soon, more people started arriving. centre stage in the court is nowadays taken by the original cast bronze ore measuring dish, given to the court by Henry VIII. This irreplacable artefact was formerly kept in a chest in the back room of the Moot Hall but in recent years, it has instead been transferred to the much more secure environment of Chatsworth House, but is brought back to its former home by the current Barmaster, Eddie Tennant.

The court still can sit in judgement on mining disputes, but as these are now rare the court's main function is to swear in the jury for the next year,as they may be called upon to assist the Barmaster in his duties or sit in a Small Barmote court if the need to hold one arises before the next annual Great Court. Proceedings begin with the Bailiff (David Mort, grandson of a former barmaster) giving the first proclaimation in the jury room at the back of the courtroom and taking a roll-call of the summoned jurymen. The jurymen then come through into the main courtroom and sit on the jury benches, after which the Court Steward (Michael Cockerton) in full legal robes, the barmaster and a representative of the Duchy of Lancaster come in and sit at the main table. The bailiff then asks everyone to rise and declares the court in session, after which the Steward makes his opening address, having reminded all present that as it is a court session, photography and audio recording is not permitted. he speaks of the history of the mining customary law and the court and reminds the jurymen of their solemn duty to uphold that law in an impartial manner. After taking a roll call of the summoned jurymen, they are asked who will act as their foreman. The foreman (Jim Rieuwerts) rises and is asked to swear an oath which the Steward reads out, the foreman agrees his assent to this by kissing a bible and saying "So help me God". After which, the jurymen rise in turn and assent to the same oath in the same manner (except for Trevor Ford who is excepted from standing on grounds of infirmity). With the Jury sworn in for the coming year, the Barmaster next makes his report of duty paid on lead ore for the previous year, which once was given in actual ore but now is made as a cash payment based on ore processed, and at present only Wirksworth and Bradwell are raising any ore.

Once the barmaster has reported, the Bailiff gives the third proclaimation, inviting any who wish to present business before the court to stand forward. As no-one had any matters to raise, the court was declared closed although the officials and jury remained in place for a few minutes to allow photographs to be taken. The court officials and jury later reconvene for a formal meal, although the old tradition of offering bread and cheese to the jury before the court starts is kept up, I was kindly invited to join them for a bite (Thanks Jim!) which was welcome as I had to head straight off to the DRO for an appointment with Wheatcroft's Hubberdale map and didn't have time to grab any lunch on the way.....

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