Records of Hampstead Petty Sessional Division, 1867-1991, including court minute books; court registers; registers of summonses and orders; registers of offenders placed on probation; juvenile court registers; adoption registers; licensing registers and justices signing-in books.

Court registers record the date of the hearing, the name of the informant or complainant (often the police), the name of the defendant, a brief note of the offence and the decision of the magistrate. Court minute books or notebooks are rough notes of the proceedings recording the gist of the evidence given.

Records of Holborn Petty Sessional Division, 1845-1956, including court minute books, court registers and licensing registers.

Court registers record the date of the hearing, the name of the informant or complainant (often the police), the name of the defendant, a brief note of the offence and the decision of the magistrate. Court minute books or notebooks are rough notes of the proceedings recording the gist of the evidence given.

Records of Horseferry Road Magistrates' Court, 1975-1999, including court registers; domestic proceedings; licensing and protection orders; rates registers; probation orders; adoption cases and custodianship cases.

Court registers record the date of the hearing, the name of the informant or complainant (often the police), the name of the defendant, a brief note of the offence and the decision of the magistrate. Court minute books or notebooks are rough notes of the proceedings recording the gist of the evidence given.

Domestic proceedings: A married woman under the provisions of the Summary Jurisdiction (Married Women) Act 1895 and subsequent Acts could go to a magistrates' court and apply for orders which in certain circumstances would enable her to separate from her husband, have custody of any children and receive maintenance from him. Under the Poor Law Amendment Act 1844 a mother expecting a bastard child or who had given birth to one could obtain a maintenance order against the putative father.

Records of the Inner London Juvenile Courts, 1910-1997. These court registers are the only surviving records of the juvenile courts to have been transferred to the Greater London Record Office (now London Metropolitan Archives). For a short period after 1909 two sets of registers were kept by each court, Part 1s and Part 2s. This mirrors the practice of the adult courts. Part 1s were cases arising mainly from arrests and charges by the police; Part 2s were normally cases brought by means of summonses. From the early 1920s most juvenile courts began to keep one series only containing both types of cases.

The information contained in registers includes: date of hearing, name of informant/complainant (often the police), name and age of the defendant, nature of the offence, the adjudication by the magistrate, and the latter's name.

These registers are not indexed. No other supporting papers have survived.

The Court Registers in this collection are for the following courts:

PS/IJ/B: Bow Street, including Bow Street, Dean Street, Caxton Hall, Chelsea.
PS/IJ/C: Clerkenwell, including Clerkenwell, Islington, Friends House, North London, Camden.
PS/IJ/CA: Camden
PS/IJ/CH: Chelsea
PS/IJ/G: Greenwich, including Greenwich, Woolwich, Woolwich Old Town Hall
PS/IJ/GRE: Greenwich
PS/IJ/HK: Hackney
PS/IJ/HKN: Hackney North
PS/IJ/HKS: Hackney South
PS/IJ/HM: Hammersmith
PS/IJ/IS: Islington
PS/IJ/ISN: Islington North
PS/IJ/ISS: Islington South
PS/IJ/LE: Lewisham
PS/IJ/LEN: Lewisham North
PS/IJ/LES: Lewisham South
PS/IJ/LM: Lambeth
PS/IJ/LME: Lambeth East
PS/IJ/LMS: Lambeth South
PS/IJ/LMW: Lambeth West
PS/IJ/O: Old Street, including Old Street, Toynbee Hall, East London, Hackney, Thames, Tower Hamlets
PS/IJ/SC: Special Courts
PS/IJ/SN: Southwark North
PS/IJ/SS: Southwark South
PS/IJ/T: Tower Bridge, including Tower Bridge, Deptford Town Hall, Southwark, South-East London, Lewisham, Greenwich
PS/IJ/TH: Tower Hamlets
PS/IJ/THE: Tower Hamlets East
PS/IJ/THW: Tower Hamlets West
PS/IJ/W/01: Westminster, including Westminster, West London, Lindsey Hall, Stamford House, Marylebone, Marylebone West, Hammersmith, Marylebone East.
PS/IJ/W/02: South Western, including South Western, Lambeth, Battersea Town Hall, Springfield Hall, Lambeth South, Balham, Lambeth North, Southwark North, Southwark South
PS/IJ/WA: Wandsworth
PS/IJ/WE: Westminster
PS/IJ/WEN: Westminster North
PS/IJ/CR: Court registers (including indexes 1989-1991)
PS/IJ/MR: Means registers.

Records of Kensington Petty Sessional Division, 1890-1973, including court registers; registers of offences under the Education Acts; registers of offences under Weights, Food and Drugs regulations; minutes and registers relating to licensing; indexes of off-licensed premises; Justices signing-in books; court files; and records of the North-Western Sub-Committee of County of London Licensing Planning Committee.

Court registers record the date of the hearing, the name of the informant or complainant (often the police), the name of the defendant, a brief note of the offence and the decision of the magistrate. Court minute books or notebooks are rough notes of the proceedings recording the gist of the evidence given.

Records of Lambeth Magistrates Court, 1877-1964. This collection contains court registers, court minutes, and proforma complaints and orders related to domestic proceedings. Other miscellaneous records have also survived from Lambeth Magistrates Court. While these have not survived in sufficient numbers to elucidate fully the record-keeping activities of the Court, they have been preserved as examples of the kinds of records maintained by the Court Officers, including the Clerk, Gaoler and Warrant Officer.

Court registers record the date of the hearing, the name of the informant or complainant (often the police), the name of the defendant, a brief note of the offence and the decision of the magistrate. Court minute books or notebooks are rough notes of the proceedings recording the gist of the evidence given.

Domestic proceedings: A married woman under the provisions of the Summary Jurisdiction (Married Women) Act 1895 and subsequent Acts could go to a magistrates' court and apply for orders which in certain circumstances would enable her to separate from her husband, have custody of any children and receive maintenance from him. Under the Poor Law Amendment Act 1844 a mother expecting a bastard child or who had given birth to one could obtain a maintenance order against the putative father.

This collection contains records of South Mimms Magistrates Court, 1880-1923 and 1929-1941, and consists of Court Registers. Court registers record the date of the hearing, the name of the informant or complainant (often the police), the name of the defendant, a brief note of the offence and the decision of the magistrate.

Records of Marylebone Magistrates Court, 1905-1994, including court registers; means registers; legal aid registers and licensing registers. Court registers record the date of the hearing, the name of the informant or complainant (often the police), the name of the defendant, a brief note of the offence and the decision of the magistrate.

Records of Marlborough Street Magistrates Court, 1896-1991, including court registers; rates registers; registers of means enquiries; registers of ex-parte cases; registers of applications for time to pay; Married Women's Act orders; Guardianship of Infants Act orders; Affiliation orders and domestic proceedings registers.

Court registers record the date of the hearing, the name of the informant or complainant (often the police), the name of the defendant, a brief note of the offence and the decision of the magistrate.

Domestic proceedings: A married woman under the provisions of the Summary Jurisdiction (Married Women) Act 1895 and subsequent Acts could go to a magistrates' court and apply for orders which in certain circumstances would enable her to separate from her husband, have custody of any children and receive maintenance from him. Under the Poor Law Amendment Act 1844 a mother expecting a bastard child or who had given birth to one could obtain a maintenance order against the putative father.

Records of the Newington Petty Sessional Division, 1775-1966, including court minute books; licensing calendars and registers; registers of rates recovery, registers of weights and measures offences and registers of Fire Brigade Act offences.

Court registers record the date of the hearing, the name of the informant or complainant (often the police), the name of the defendant, a brief note of the offence and the decision of the magistrate. Court minute books or notebooks are rough notes of the proceedings recording the gist of the evidence given.

Records of the North London Magistrates Court, comprising court registers, 1909-1965. Court registers record the date of the hearing, the name of the informant or complainant (often the police), the name of the defendant, a brief note of the offence and the decision of the magistrate.

Records of Old Street Magistrates Court, 1905-1980, including court registers; Married Women Act orders; Guardianship of Infants Act orders; bastardy complaints and bastardy arrears complaints.

Court registers record the date of the hearing, the name of the informant or complainant (often the police), the name of the defendant, a brief note of the offence and the decision of the magistrate.

A married woman under the provisions of the Summary Jurisdiction (Married Women) Act 1895 and subsequent Acts could go to a magistrates' court and apply for orders which in certain circumstances would enable her to separate from her husband, have custody of any children and receive maintenance from him. Under the Poor Law Amendment Act 1844 a mother expecting a bastard child or who had given birth to one could obtain a maintenance order against the putative father.

Records of Saint Pancras Petty Sessional Division, 1823-1956, comprising court minute books, court registers and licensing registers. Court registers record the date of the hearing, the name of the informant or complainant (often the police), the name of the defendant, a brief note of the offence and the decision of the magistrate. Court minute books or notebooks are rough notes of the proceedings recording the gist of the evidence given.

Records of Feltham Magistrates Court (part of Spelthorne Petty Sessions Division), 1873-1962. Records include court registers; registers of matrimonial cases; juvenile court registers; adoption files (closed); court notes; Justice's Meeting minute books; licensing registers; Probation Committee minute books and plans.

Court registers record the date of the hearing, the name of the informant or complainant (often the police), the name of the defendant, a brief note of the offence and the decision of the magistrate. Court minute books or notebooks are rough notes of the proceedings recording the gist of the evidence given.

Matrimonial cases: A married woman under the provisions of the Summary Jurisdiction (Married Women) Act 1895 and subsequent Acts could go to a magistrates' court and apply for orders which in certain circumstances would enable her to separate from her husband, have custody of any children and receive maintenance from him. Under the Poor Law Amendment Act 1844 a mother expecting a bastard child or who had given birth to one could obtain a maintenance order against the putative father.

Records of Stoke Newington Magistrates Court, 1890-1956, including court minutes; court registers; licensing registers and Justices' attendance books. Court registers record the date of the hearing, the name of the informant or complainant (often the police), the name of the defendant, a brief note of the offence and the decision of the magistrate. Court minute books or notebooks are rough notes of the proceedings recording the gist of the evidence given.

Records of the South Western Magistrates Court, 1891-1981, including court registers; probation orders; Married Women Act orders; Guardianship of Infants Act orders; bastardy complaints; matrimonial case registers and indexes; separation and maintenance orders; warrants for desertion; and motoring offences records.

Court registers record the date of the hearing, the name of the informant or complainant (often the police), the name of the defendant, a brief note of the offence and the decision of the magistrate.

Matrimonial cases: a married woman under the provisions of the Summary Jurisdiction (Married Women) Act 1895 and subsequent Acts could go to a magistrates' court and apply for orders which in certain circumstances would enable her to separate from her husband, have custody of any children and receive maintenance from him. Under the Poor Law Amendment Act 1844 a mother expecting a bastard child or who had given birth to one could obtain a maintenance order against the putative father.

Records of the Thames Magistrates Court, 1804-1971, including court registers; clerk's letter books and papers; and wreck enquiry notes. Court registers record the date of the hearing, the name of the informant or complainant (often the police), the name of the defendant, a brief note of the offence and the decision of the magistrate.

Records of Tower Bridge Magistrates Court, 1889-1953, comprising court registers and court minute books. Court registers record the date of the hearing, the name of the informant or complainant (often the police), the name of the defendant, a brief note of the offence and the decision of the magistrate. Court minute books or notebooks are rough notes of the proceedings recording the gist of the evidence given.

Records of Uxbridge Petty Sessional Division, 1855-1986, including court registers; court minutes; juvenile court registers; minutes of Probation and After-Care Committee and of Justices' Meetings and committals registers. Court registers record the date of the hearing, the name of the informant or complainant (often the police), the name of the defendant, a brief note of the offence and the decision of the magistrate. Court minute books or notebooks are rough notes of the proceedings recording the gist of the evidence given.

Records of courts within Willesden Petty Sessional Division, 1873-1986. Records include court registers for Harlesden Magistrates Court; court registers, juvenile court registers and court minute books for Willesden Magistrates Court; court registers, juvenile court registers and court minute books for Acton Magistrates Court and licensing registers for Willesden, Acton and Chiswick.

Court registers record the date of the hearing, the name of the informant or complainant (often the police), the name of the defendant, a brief note of the offence and the decision of the magistrate. Court minute books or notebooks are rough notes of the proceedings recording the gist of the evidence given.

Records of Wandsworth Petty Sessional Division, 1870-1950, comprising court minute books; court registers; licensing registers and licensing transfers. Court registers record the date of the hearing, the name of the informant or complainant (often the police), the name of the defendant, a brief note of the offence and the decision of the magistrate. Court minute books or notebooks are rough notes of the proceedings recording the gist of the evidence given.

Records of Westminster Magistrates Court, 1896-1943, including court registers; rates registers; means enquiry summonses; summonses indexes; Married Women Act orders; bastardy complaints and letter book.

Court registers record the date of the hearing, the name of the informant or complainant (often the police), the name of the defendant, a brief note of the offence and the decision of the magistrate. Court minute books or notebooks are rough notes of the proceedings recording the gist of the evidence given.

Domestic proceedings: A married woman under the provisions of the Summary Jurisdiction (Married Women) Act 1895 and subsequent Acts could go to a magistrates' court and apply for orders which in certain circumstances would enable her to separate from her husband, have custody of any children and receive maintenance from him. Under the Poor Law Amendment Act 1844 a mother expecting a bastard child or who had given birth to one could obtain a maintenance order against the putative father.

Records of West London Magistrates Court, 1877-2001, including court registers; registers for means enquiries, Small Tenement Act cases, civil debt cases, ex-parte cases, and licence renewals; Married Women Act orders; bastardy orders; domestic court proceedings; maintenance registers and Guardianship of Infants Act orders.

Court registers record the date of the hearing, the name of the informant or complainant (often the police), the name of the defendant, a brief note of the offence and the decision of the magistrate.

Domestic proceedings: a married woman under the provisions of the Summary Jurisdiction (Married Women) Act 1895 and subsequent Acts could go to a magistrates' court and apply for orders which in certain circumstances would enable her to separate from her husband, have custody of any children and receive maintenance from him. Under the Poor Law Amendment Act 1844 a mother expecting a bastard child or who had given birth to one could obtain a maintenance order against the putative father.

Records of Woolwich Magistrates Court, 1898-1979, including court registers; court minute books; Married Women Act orders; Guardianship of Infants Act orders and bastardy complaints.

Court registers record the date of the hearing, the name of the informant or complainant (often the police), the name of the defendant, a brief note of the offence and the decision of the magistrate. Court minute books or notebooks are rough notes of the proceedings recording the gist of the evidence given.

Domestic proceedings: A married woman under the provisions of the Summary Jurisdiction (Married Women) Act 1895 and subsequent Acts could go to a magistrates' court and apply for orders which in certain circumstances would enable her to separate from her husband, have custody of any children and receive maintenance from him. Under the Poor Law Amendment Act 1844 a mother expecting a bastard child or who had given birth to one could obtain a maintenance order against the putative father.

Records of Phillips Son and Neal, solicitors, 1706-1878, including surveys of estates in Wandsworth and Battersea; correspondence with clients; legal documents relating to properties including leases; and subpoenas to appear in the Court of Probate.

Records of the South West London Quarter Sessions, 1966-1971, comprising stopping up and diversion orders under the Highways Act 1959. The files usually contain a signed order, plans and correspondence. They relate to highways in Richmond, Kingston upon Thames, Surbiton, New Malden, Morden, Mortlake and Sutton.

Papers of the Westminster Quarter Sessions of the Peace relating to administration, 1713-1883. Records relate to the House of Correction, Tothill Fields (also known as Westminster Bridewell and the Westminster House of Correction), including reports, letter book and minute books of the Visiting Justices; papers relating to the Governor of the House of Correction and other staff, including bonds, financial accounts and petitions; bills for maintenance and repair works; inventories; reports; returns of the number of prisoners; lists of prisoners; regulations; warrants and orders; correspondence and plans of the building.

Also minute book of the Committee of Accounts for City and Liberty of Westminster, 1839-1844.

Note on the Quarter Sessions records: Although Westminster has fewer surviving records than Middlesex, the City's sessions would have produced similar records to those of the County, but they would have been smaller in quantity, and have included less administrative material. Also, as with all Quarter Sessions records, "seeing that the Custos Rotulorum was a private gentleman or nobleman and the Clerk of the Peace an attorney with a private practice it is likely that many county records were (if not lost or destroyed) handed down to their families or their professional successors" and many may still remain to be found in private hands (Emmison and Gray, County Records, 1987). Those records that have survived are often difficult to read or understand because of the handwriting, use of Latin (until 1733), or legal jargon and abbreviations; although standardised legal formats were used and printed pro formas introduced by the nineteenth century.

For the Middlesex and Westminster records there may also be confusion over the records' arrangement resulting from the attempts at classification by previous generations of archivists which have left many records split up into unnatural groupings. Originally they would not have been sorted into any cohesive arrangement. These were records that were "kept for administrative convenience rather than as sources for future generations" (G. Jones, Quarter Sessions records in the Leicestershire Record Office).

Because of this overlapping between many classes of record, any study of the Westminster records should include consultation of those for Middlesex. There was in any case a lot of co-operation between the two courts during the period covered by the records. Judicial (Gaol Delivery Sessions for example) and administrative functions were shared, as were court personnel (including justices). Westminster prisoners could elect to be tried at the Middlesex sessions, as these were held more frequently than their own.

The sessions records are a very useful source for family history, studying trends in law and order, and the life of the City and its inhabitants over a relatively long period of time. The capital was an area with high levels of crime, the natural place for riot and conspiracy, and attracted a wide variety of people from the whole country and abroad. The main record of proceedings at the sessions will be found in the sessions rolls (MJ/SR and the uncatalogued WJ/SR - index in WJ/CB); the (partially uncatalogued) sessions books (WJ/SB, MJ/SB); and the (partially uncatalogued) sessions papers (WJ/SP, MJ/SP). City administrative work is in the records of the County Day sessions (WJ/O), and for one particular type, in the records of the street surveyors (WJ/SS). Records of judicial procedure are in the records of court fines (WJ/E), writs to summon juries (WJ/W), and the trial process (WJ/Y); Lists of prisoners made at various times during the trial process are in WJ/CC and WJ/CP.

Records of the Clerk of the Peace for the Westminster Quarter Sessions of the Peace, 1665-1807. Records comprise one volume containing the following: copies of orders of Privy Council to the Justices of the Peace of Middlesex and Westminster as to measures to be taken to prevent the spread of plague - including an order to erect a pest house; copies of resultant orders of the Justices to high constables, Churchwardens, etc including orders for removal of lay stalls and repair of an offensive lane; lists of suspected papists and instructions from the Privy Council and others to the Justices of the Peace in connection with them; lists (indexed) of persons who have taken oaths of allegiance and supremacy and subscribed the declaration under Act of 1 Wm and Mary, or who have refused to do so; lists (indexed) of persons convicted of profane cursing and swearing according to the Act of 627 Wm III, 1665-1708.

Also one volume containing the following: register of the names of persons who have been granted Game Certificates at the Westminster Sessions; Commissioners' Certificates under the Property Act, filed at Westminster Sessions; register of certificates of Freemans Lodges, filed at Westminster Sessions; register of the names of persons who carry on the trade of Press and Type Makers, and who have given notice to Westminster Sessions; register of names of persons who carry on the trade of Printer, and who have given notice to Westminster Sessions; register of Surveyors Certificates files at Westminster Sessions; 1799-1807.

Also a booklet containing standing orders, with appendix, 1840.

Note on the Quarter Sessions records: Although Westminster has fewer surviving records than Middlesex, the City's sessions would have produced similar records to those of the County, but they would have been smaller in quantity, and have included less administrative material. Also, as with all Quarter Sessions records, "seeing that the Custos Rotulorum was a private gentleman or nobleman and the Clerk of the Peace an attorney with a private practice it is likely that many county records were (if not lost or destroyed) handed down to their families or their professional successors" and many may still remain to be found in private hands (Emmison and Gray, County Records, 1987). Those records that have survived are often difficult to read or understand because of the handwriting, use of Latin (until 1733), or legal jargon and abbreviations; although standardised legal formats were used and printed pro formas introduced by the nineteenth century.

For the Middlesex and Westminster records there may also be confusion over the records' arrangement resulting from the attempts at classification by previous generations of archivists which have left many records split up into unnatural groupings. Originally they would not have been sorted into any cohesive arrangement. These were records that were "kept for administrative convenience rather than as sources for future generations" (G. Jones, Quarter Sessions records in the Leicestershire Record Office).

Because of this overlapping between many classes of record, any study of the Westminster records should include consultation of those for Middlesex. There was in any case a lot of co-operation between the two courts during the period covered by the records. Judicial (Gaol Delivery Sessions for example) and administrative functions were shared, as were court personnel (including justices). Westminster prisoners could elect to be tried at the Middlesex sessions, as these were held more frequently than their own.

The sessions records are a very useful source for family history, studying trends in law and order, and the life of the City and its inhabitants over a relatively long period of time. The capital was an area with high levels of crime, the natural place for riot and conspiracy, and attracted a wide variety of people from the whole country and abroad. The main record of proceedings at the sessions will be found in the sessions rolls (MJ/SR and the uncatalogued WJ/SR - index in WJ/CB); the (partially uncatalogued) sessions books (WJ/SB, MJ/SB); and the (partially uncatalogued) sessions papers (WJ/SP, MJ/SP). City administrative work is in the records of the County Day sessions (WJ/O), and for one particular type, in the records of the street surveyors (WJ/SS). Records of judicial procedure are in the records of court fines (WJ/E), writs to summon juries (WJ/W), and the trial process (WJ/Y); Lists of prisoners made at various times during the trial process are in WJ/CC and WJ/CP.

Records of the Westminster Quarter Sessions of the Peace, 1619-1860, including lists of prisoners awaiting trial; lists of prisoners already tried; lists and rolls of fines; court minutes; lists and registers of charges; sessions papers; sessions rolls; writs of venire facias and trial process records.

Note on the Quarter Sessions records: Although Westminster has fewer surviving records than Middlesex, the City's sessions would have produced similar records to those of the County, but they would have been smaller in quantity, and have included less administrative material. Also, as with all Quarter Sessions records, "seeing that the Custos Rotulorum was a private gentleman or nobleman and the Clerk of the Peace an attorney with a private practice it is likely that many county records were (if not lost or destroyed) handed down to their families or their professional successors" and many may still remain to be found in private hands (Emmison and Gray, County Records, 1987). Those records that have survived are often difficult to read or understand because of the handwriting, use of Latin (until 1733), or legal jargon and abbreviations; although standardised legal formats were used and printed pro formas introduced by the nineteenth century.

For the Middlesex and Westminster records there may also be confusion over the records' arrangement resulting from the attempts at classification by previous generations of archivists which have left many records split up into unnatural groupings. Originally they would not have been sorted into any cohesive arrangement. These were records that were "kept for administrative convenience rather than as sources for future generations" (G. Jones, Quarter Sessions records in the Leicestershire Record Office).

Because of this overlapping between many classes of record, any study of the Westminster records should include consultation of those for Middlesex. There was in any case a lot of co-operation between the two courts during the period covered by the records. Judicial (Gaol Delivery Sessions for example) and administrative functions were shared, as were court personnel (including justices). Westminster prisoners could elect to be tried at the Middlesex sessions, as these were held more frequently than their own.

The sessions records are a very useful source for family history, studying trends in law and order, and the life of the City and its inhabitants over a relatively long period of time. The capital was an area with high levels of crime, the natural place for riot and conspiracy, and attracted a wide variety of people from the whole country and abroad. The main record of proceedings at the sessions will be found in the sessions rolls (MJ/SR and the uncatalogued WJ/SR - index in WJ/CB); the (partially uncatalogued) sessions books (WJ/SB, MJ/SB); and the (partially uncatalogued) sessions papers (WJ/SP, MJ/SP). City administrative work is in the records of the County Day sessions (WJ/O), and for one particular type, in the records of the street surveyors (WJ/SS). Records of judicial procedure are in the records of court fines (WJ/E), writs to summon juries (WJ/W), and the trial process (WJ/Y); Lists of prisoners made at various times during the trial process are in WJ/CC and WJ/CP.

Records of the Justices of the Peace for the Westminster Quarter Sessions of the Peace, 1687-1887. WJP/C contains the original Commissions of the Peace issued to the Justices of the Peace; WJP/L are lists of the justices in those commissions; WJP/D contains names of justices who had paid subscriptions for dinners held at the Sessions House; WJP/O contains a record of oaths taken by justices upon their appointment to the commission; and WJP/R is a record of the qualifications needed by justices in order to be eligible for appointment

Note on the Quarter Sessions records: Although Westminster has fewer surviving records than Middlesex, the City's sessions would have produced similar records to those of the County, but they would have been smaller in quantity, and have included less administrative material. Also, as with all Quarter Sessions records, "seeing that the Custos Rotulorum was a private gentleman or nobleman and the Clerk of the Peace an attorney with a private practice it is likely that many county records were (if not lost or destroyed) handed down to their families or their professional successors" and many may still remain to be found in private hands (Emmison and Gray, County Records, 1987). Those records that have survived are often difficult to read or understand because of the handwriting, use of Latin (until 1733), or legal jargon and abbreviations; although standardised legal formats were used and printed pro formas introduced by the nineteenth century.

For the Middlesex and Westminster records there may also be confusion over the records' arrangement resulting from the attempts at classification by previous generations of archivists which have left many records split up into unnatural groupings. Originally they would not have been sorted into any cohesive arrangement. These were records that were "kept for administrative convenience rather than as sources for future generations" (G. Jones, Quarter Sessions records in the Leicestershire Record Office).

Because of this overlapping between many classes of record, any study of the Westminster records should include consultation of those for Middlesex. There was in any case a lot of co-operation between the two courts during the period covered by the records. Judicial (Gaol Delivery Sessions for example) and administrative functions were shared, as were court personnel (including justices). Westminster prisoners could elect to be tried at the Middlesex sessions, as these were held more frequently than their own.

The sessions records are a very useful source for family history, studying trends in law and order, and the life of the City and its inhabitants over a relatively long period of time. The capital was an area with high levels of crime, the natural place for riot and conspiracy, and attracted a wide variety of people from the whole country and abroad. The main record of proceedings at the sessions will be found in the sessions rolls (MJ/SR and the uncatalogued WJ/SR - index in WJ/CB); the (partially uncatalogued) sessions books (WJ/SB, MJ/SB); and the (partially uncatalogued) sessions papers (WJ/SP, MJ/SP). City administrative work is in the records of the County Day sessions (WJ/O), and for one particular type, in the records of the street surveyors (WJ/SS). Records of judicial procedure are in the records of court fines (WJ/E), writs to summon juries (WJ/W), and the trial process (WJ/Y); Lists of prisoners made at various times during the trial process are in WJ/CC and WJ/CP.

Records enrolled or filed with the Clerk of the Westminster Quarter Sessions of the Peace, 1552-1885. The records classified as WR/A are concerned with the registration of foreigners; WR/B are records produced by Building Surveyors; WR/F are returns of those eligible to serve on juries; WR/L/P covers the licensing of printing presses; WR/LV relate to Licensed Victuallers; WR/ML are concerned with Militia and Lieutenancy; WR/O are Oaths of Office; WR/P are papers concerning Parliamentary Elections; WR/PLT Land Tax; WR/R contains the records produced from the control and recording of all non-conformists; WR/S contains records concerned with Societies; and WR/U records deposited with the court concerning Public Undertakings.

Note on the Quarter Sessions records: Although Westminster has fewer surviving records than Middlesex, the City's sessions would have produced similar records to those of the County, but they would have been smaller in quantity, and have included less administrative material. Also, as with all Quarter Sessions records, "seeing that the Custos Rotulorum was a private gentleman or nobleman and the Clerk of the Peace an attorney with a private practice it is likely that many county records were (if not lost or destroyed) handed down to their families or their professional successors" and many may still remain to be found in private hands (Emmison and Gray, County Records, 1987). Those records that have survived are often difficult to read or understand because of the handwriting, use of Latin (until 1733), or legal jargon and abbreviations; although standardised legal formats were used and printed pro formas introduced by the nineteenth century.

For the Middlesex and Westminster records there may also be confusion over the records' arrangement resulting from the attempts at classification by previous generations of archivists which have left many records split up into unnatural groupings. Originally they would not have been sorted into any cohesive arrangement. These were records that were "kept for administrative convenience rather than as sources for future generations" (G. Jones, Quarter Sessions records in the Leicestershire Record Office).

Because of this overlapping between many classes of record, any study of the Westminster records should include consultation of those for Middlesex. There was in any case a lot of co-operation between the two courts during the period covered by the records. Judicial (Gaol Delivery Sessions for example) and administrative functions were shared, as were court personnel (including justices). Westminster prisoners could elect to be tried at the Middlesex sessions, as these were held more frequently than their own.

The sessions records are a very useful source for family history, studying trends in law and order, and the life of the City and its inhabitants over a relatively long period of time. The capital was an area with high levels of crime, the natural place for riot and conspiracy, and attracted a wide variety of people from the whole country and abroad. The main record of proceedings at the sessions will be found in the sessions rolls (MJ/SR and the uncatalogued WJ/SR - index in WJ/CB); the (partially uncatalogued) sessions books (WJ/SB, MJ/SB); and the (partially uncatalogued) sessions papers (WJ/SP, MJ/SP). City administrative work is in the records of the County Day sessions (WJ/O), and for one particular type, in the records of the street surveyors (WJ/SS). Records of judicial procedure are in the records of court fines (WJ/E), writs to summon juries (WJ/W), and the trial process (WJ/Y); Lists of prisoners made at various times during the trial process are in WJ/CC and WJ/CP.

Subject files, 1940-1944, on a range of topics including general organisation, "H" Company (County Hall), "P" Company (Parks Department), "E" Company (Chief Engineers' Department), "C" Company (Cooper's Hill), "F" Company (Fire Brigade Department), "S" Company (Supplies Department), Public Health Company and No.2 Battalion (later 48th County of London Battalion), Mental Hospitals Company, medical organisation and equipment, food rationing and mobile canteens, Battalion Funds, Courts-martial and courts of inquiry, explosions, accidents and injuries, loss of arms and ammunition, dress regulations, storage of ammunition, revolvers, appointment of officers, adjutants and quartermasters, Permanent Staff Instructors, new conditions of service for home guards, man-power figures, attachments and locations, Women Home Guard auxiliaries, compensation for loss of earnings, casualties, discipline, Home Guard duties and civil defence, personnel over 65 years of age, transport, armoured fighting vehicles, Winter and Summer training, assaults at arms, ranges, operations, exercises, security and intelligence, mine watching exercises, anniversary parades, standing-down of Home Guard and awards and commendations.

Also Army Council Instructions; regulations for the Home Guard; Home Guard Information Circulars; Home Guard Instructions; London District Home Guard Orders; London County Council Group Orders; 47th Battalion Orders; 48th Battalion Orders; Guard report books; papers relevant to the history of the London County Council battalions, including copies of the printed histories of "3" and "C" Companies by Majors Brand and Belsham; papers relating to the formation of Old Comrades Association and Home Guard Training Manual (third edition).

Records of the London County Council relating to the Lieutenancy of the County of London, 1888-1967, including outgoing letter books; ceremonial presentation by the Lord Lieutenant of Medals of the Order of the British Empire and the King's Police Medal; Deputy Lieutenants Roll with copies of certificates of qualification to serve; procedure for appointment of Deputy Lieutenants and correspondence with prospective appointees; the Association of Lieutenants of Counties; notification of appointments of Special Constables; Lieutenancy dinners; participation by Lord Lieutenant in recruiting campaigns for the Territorial Army and other auxiliary forces; participation by Lord Lieutenant in appeals on behalf of social and charitable bodies; the London Justices Advisory Committee; the appointment of Justices; applications for appointment as Justices; appointment of Juvenile Court Justices; transfer of Justices between Divisions and Counties; Justices appointed by the Lord Chancellor without prior consultation; Royal Commission on the Selection of Justices of the Peace; complaints concerning Justices; emergency appointments to the Bench; resignations of Justices; appointment of women as Justices; correspondence on individual candidates for appointment as Justices, maps of boroughs showing distribution of home addresses of Justices; Deputy Lieutenants' Sub-Committee.

Minutes and presented papers of London County Council special and joint committees, 1889-1965, as follows:

Allegations (Council Officials) Committee

Special Committee on the Establishment of an Ambulance Service

Special Committee on Building Control

Advisory Committee on the Control on the Construction of Buildings in London

Charing Cross Bridge Advisory Committee

Church of England Advisory Board on Spiritual Ministration

Special Committee on Contracts

Special Joint Committee on the provision of Coroner's Courts and Mortuaries

Council Chamber and Offices Committee

Special Committee on the transfer of County Business

County Hall Luncheon Club Committee

County Rate Committee

Departmental Committees on the Organisation and Working of LCC Departments

Special Committee on the Office of Deputy Chairman of the Council

Advisory Committee on the Design of Consumer Goods

Special Committee on Finance Bill, 1914

Special Committee on Fire Insurance

Greater London Regional Planning Committee

Meetings of Heads of Departments

Special Committee on Health Administration in London

Hospitals Committee

Interim Panel

Juveniles Committee

Lack of Employment Conference

Joint Committee on the working of the Leyton tramways

Loan Fund for Prospective Teachers

Special Committee on Local Expenditure

Local Pension Committee

Special Committee on Locomotion and Transport in London

London Air Terminal

Advisory Committee on the Amendment of the London Building Act, 1930

Special Committee on London Electricity Supply

Special Committee on changes in London Local Government

Special Committee on London Government

London War Pensions Committee

Special Joint Committee on the Control of lunatics, imbeciles and infectious poor

Advisory Committee on combined medical appointments in Division 9 of the LCC Public Health Department

Members and Staff Committee

Joint Committee of Members and School-keepers

Special Committee of Inquiry into certain matters of administration in the Mental Hospitals Department

Sub-committee of the Provisional LCC appointed to confer with a Committee of the Metropolitan Board of Works

Special Committee on the provision of New Offices

Officers (Education) Superannuation Committee

Conference on Open Spaces for recreational purposes

Special Committee on the Organisation of the Council's Service

Poor Law Committee

Procedure Committee

Richmond Hill (Preservation of View) Executive Committee

Committee of Inquiry on Sadlers Wells

Special Committee on Staff Appeals

Conference on regulations in connection with Streets and Street traffic

Special Committee on the allocation of the cost of Street Improvements along Tramway Routes

Survey of London (Joint Publishing) Committee

Teacher's Superannuation Committee

Special Committee on Technical Education

Special Committee on Thames Bridges

Joint Committee on Thames Flood Prevention

Special Committee on Traffic

Tramways Committee

Special Joint Sub-committee on the Typhoid Fever Epidemic in Maidstone and the London Water Supply

Special Committee on the Unemployment

Special Committee on the Valuation of Land

Special Committee on the War Estimates

Special Committee on the Works Department

Please note that copies of these minutes and papers are on open access in the Information Area.

Records of the London County Council Public Control Department relating to Coroners, 1889-1965, including general files relating to the Departmental Committee on Coroners Law and Practice; the Departmental Committee on Coroners; the Coroners' (Amendment) Act, 1926; the Human Tissue Bill; the Suicide Bill; the Committee on Consumer Protection and Consumer Protection Bill; proposals for amendment of law relating to coroners; coroners' qualifications; articles and booklets on the office of coroner; coroners' statistics; cremation regulations; custody of coroners' records; pathologists and toxicologists; fees and payments, both to the coroner and by the coroner; removal of bodies; undertaking of funerals; employment of council's officers as expert witnesses; reorganizations of districts; reorganisation under London Government Act, 1963; proposals to set up one or more post mortem centres in London; unusual cases and inquests; deaths due to poisoning; inquests following motor bus and tram accidents, coal gas poisonings and demolition of buildings; deaths from drowning and removal of drowned bodies; deaths occasioned by starvation; deaths due to tetanus; incidents relating to unprotected fire-grates; accidents through window cleaning; inquests held as a result of air raids (First World War); fire inquests and treasure trove.

Papers relating to staffing, including general papers on the positions of coroner, deputy coroner, assistant deputy coroner and mortuary keeper; papers relating to appointments, including procedures and files on individual appointments; papers regarding salaries, pensions and expense allowances; and the personal files of various coroners.

Papers relating to coroner's premises, including individual coroner's courts and mortuaries; general papers relating to mortuaries; maps showing areas covered by individual mortuaries and statistics relating to the use of mortuaries.

The collection includes copies of the official verdict transcript of American Military Tribunal III, 1947-1948, at which the United States tried twelve German industrialists from the Fried. Krupp AG company for crimes committed during World War Two. Included among the defendants were Alfried Felix Alwyn Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach, head of Fried. Krupp AG (or the Krupp Concern); Ewald Oskar Ludwig Loeser, finance and administration officer for Fried. Krupp AG; and ten of the Krupp managers, including Erich Mueller; Friedrich von Bulow; and Hans Albert Gustav Kupke.

Manuscript minutes of proceedings for the Royal Navy courts-martial, 1809-1810, of: Robert Chubb, seaman, HMS ALCESTE; Lt William Buckle, HMS LEONIDAS, John Dennet, Boatswain, HMS VOLAGE, William Logan, seaman, HMS SUCCESS, and Sub Lt John Richardson, HMS CONFOUNDER, with details of charges brought, transcripts of witness examinations, transcripts of related correspondence, verdicts and sentences.

Papers comprising printed or typescript reports and supporting publications, on the 1 Army, North Africa, Civil Affairs Staff Centre (CASC), and on the administration of civilians in occupied territory including the Control Commission Germany (CCG), 1885-1947; notably comprising printed and typescript instructions, orders and reports issued by the Provost Marshal's Office, 1 Army, North Africa, including on traffic control, stores, planning, lessons learnt from the operations, intelligence summaries, 1 Army newsletters, 'Crusade', with an air raid precautions poster from Algeria, 1939-1943; reports and typescript summaries relating to the Civil Affairs Staff Centre (CASC), on 'captivity neurosis', the economics and finance of wartime Europe, fire and civil defence, road transport, military writing, the welfare of occupied populations, Nazi doctrines, files of information on national temperaments and characteristics of various occupied countries including Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany and Italy, 1943-1944; appointments diary compiled by Paton Walsh (1945), memoranda, correspondence and papers on aspects of the German penal system under the Nazis and Allied occupation, notably the police, procedures, juvenile courts, penal statistics from Nazi Germany, 1929-1947, including copies of British Zone Review, Nov 1945-Dec 1946; papers on the Control Commission Germany including confidential reports on police trainees, lectures given by Paton Walsh, the purging of Nazis from office, training and planning for post-Nazi administration, training and organisation of the penal system in Allied occupied Germany with observations on the regulation of the system under the Weimar Republic and the National Socialists, precautions against sabotage directed against occupying forces, 1943-1946; witnesses' depositions in the Nuremberg trials, account of Brendonk Concentration Camp, defence positions of the Gestapo, Sturm Abteilung (SA), 1945-1946; papers on Cologne Prison, including an autobiographical account and journal of Rudolf Kirsch, prisoner, and correspondence, 1939-1944, papers on executions at Cologne Prison with copies of the last letters of the condemned, 1941-1944; publications in English on military law, police and transport, mainly manuals, regulations and information notes on Imperial policing, traffic patrols, military law, inspection and care of vehicles, 1917-1945; publications on the Allied occupation of Germany, consisting of notes on the military government of occupied territory, internment camps, contact lists for civil administrators, Who's who in occupied Europe, chart of the Nazi administrative structure, re-education programmes, maps and gazetteers of Germany, Austria and Denmark, 1943-1945; American publications, namely civil affairs information guides, fileld manual of military government, an entertainment guide for American soldiers entitled, 'What's Cooking in Berlin', copies of The Stars and Stripes and the New York Herald Tribune, 1940-1946; general military handbooks including guidance for officers on allowances, the training of Army tradesmen, training manuals on air support of infantry and the use of parachute troops, catering, defence of aerodromes against attack, the disposition of unit records, signals, mine clearance, anti-malarial precautions, 1939-1943; Army Education booklets in a series entitled 'The British Way and Purpose', 1942-1943; German language publications on law, crime and prisons especially regulations, criminal biology, youth crime, 1885-1942; German National Socialist publications on topics ranging from flying schools, the SA in Berlin to the beginnings of radio broadcasting,1926-1946; maps, mainly Ordnance Survey and Stanfords, of United Kingdom cities and counties, including Wolverhampton, Winchester, Dover, East Sussex and Suffolk, 1913-1940; maps of Germany, central and eastern Europe, 1936-[1945]; maps of Algeria, French North Africa, Tunisia, 1942; propaganda cartoon and other posters published by the Evening Standard, Stationery Office and Army Bureau of Current Affairs, 1944; 1 file of telegrams, commission of 1918 and details of the various promotions of Paton Walsh, 1916-1947.

The collection consists of original and copy documents relating to Viscount Nelson. Although it spans his career from 1780 to his death in 1805, the bulk of the collection centres on 1798 - the year of the battle of Aboukir Bay - and the three years 1803-1805, during which Nelson commanded the Mediterranean Fleet. Included are several hundred official reports and surveys concerned with the manning, ordnance, stores, defects and sick lists of the ships under Nelson's overall command, plus reports on courts martial, prize money, prisoners, sailors' pay, etc. Also present are weekly reports by the chief physicians of the Fleet comparing health on various vessels and giving details of treatments proposed; letters to Nelson on issues such as inventions, requests for places, etc.; and a collection of bills. The papers carry the signatures of most of the senior officers under Nelson and are generally addressed to Nelson himself.

Papers of Sir Henry Frederick Stephenson. There are letterbooks for 1868 and 1880 to 1883, and a printed account of the court martial following the loss of the RATTLER. Most of the collection relates to the Arctic expedition, 1875 to 1876. It includes Stephenson's diary in three volumes, a letter-book, a book of general proceedings of the DISCOVERY, a rough survey book and a scrapbook, with letters and orders from Nares and some other loose papers. There are also printed volumes of the official reports of the expedition and of earlier arctic expeditions.

Papers relating to V Adm Sir John Wilson Musgrave Eaton's life and career, 1945-1972, including typescript copy of Night Order Book, HMS SHEFFIELD, May-Jun 1945; photographs, press cuttings and printed material relating to Eaton's service as Capt of HMS ST VINCENT, RN Boys Training Establishment, Gosport, Hampshire, 1947; typescript volume entitled 'Naval Staff Handbook', Royal Naval Staff College, Greenwich, 1950; texts of lectures by Eaton, RN Staff College, Greenwich, including 'Grand strategy: its background and application in a future war' and 'The principles of war', 1950-1951; typescript texts of speeches and lectures, [1952]-1960, including Empire Day speech to the Royal Yacht Sqn, Australia [1952], and lecture on the capture of Gibraltar, 1704, to the RN Club, 1960; newspaper cuttings relating to the Court Martial of Able Seaman James McNiven McSporran for an assault on V Adm Eaton during an inspection, 1955; Civil Defence manuals and naval publications, 1956-1958; edition of Log of the President's cruise in the USS CANBERRA (CAG2), edited by Capt E P Aurand, US Navy, Naval Aide to US President Dwight David Eisenhower, 14-20 Mar 1957; photographs of Eisenhower with Eaton and US Adm Jerauld Wright, Supreme Allied Commander's Headquarters, Norfolk, Virginia, USA [1957]; typescript letters to retired senior officers from the First Sea Lord, 1959, 1970 and 1972, from AF Louis (Francis Albert Victor Nicholas) Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, 23 Apr 1959, Adm Sir Michael Le Fanu, 1 Jun 1970, and Adm Sir Michael (Patrick) Pollock, 2 Nov 1972; printed plan of Admiralty organisation, Jan 1960; typescript statement of evidence by Eaton, as then commanding destroyer HMS SOMALI, on Cdr (Jack) John Egerton Broome's command of convoy PQ.17, 4 Jul 1942, statement prepared for a libel action brought by Broome against David John Cawdell Irving, Jan 1970, in relation to his book The destruction of convoy PQ.17 (Cassell, London, 1968).

Minutes and presented papers of Special Committees, Joint Committees and Advisory Committees of the Middlesex County Council, 1889-1965:

Airports Committee

Arms Committee

Auxiliary Forces Committee

Barnet Union Committee

Bridges Committee

Common Interests Committee

County Solicitor Committee

Dyrham Park Committee

Edmonton Union Committee

Education Committee

Governance Committee

Guildhall Committee

Health Committee

Local Government Committee

Medical Committee

Member of County Council Committee

National Insurance Committee

Officers Committee

Pensions Committee

Physically Handicapped Committee

Planning Committee

Poor Law Committee

Quarter Sessions Committee

Refuse Dumps Committee

Registration of Title Committee

Richmond Hill Committee

Road Stone Committee

Testimonial Committee

Thames Committee

Unemployed Workmen Committee

Vagrancy Committee

Voluntary Hospitals Committee

Wild Birds Committee

Records of the Middlesex County Council Provincial Joint Industrial Council, 1920-1962, including correspondence; bank book; agendas, reports and minutes of the Executive Committee; constitution, functions and recommendations of the Industrial Council; schedule of wages and working conditions, and decisions of the Industrial Disputes Tribunal affecting Middlesex staff.

Letters patent appointing the commissioners; orders of court; minutes of various Committees including the General Purposes Committee, By-laws Committee, Committee on Claims, Disposal of Refuse Committee, Finance Committee, Trial Works Committee, Sewage Manure Committee and Ordnance Survey Committee; original contracts for the construction of new sewers, including plans, sections and elevations; registers of in-letters; letter books for out-letters; drainage applications; registers of applications to construct sewers and drains; registers of proposed drainage of buildings; registers of house drainage; register of complaints; applications for private works on sewers and drains; registers of streets showing existence or absence of sewers and drains; surveyor's report books; staff records; financial accounts; rate books; printed items bound into volumes, including reports (several written by Joseph Bazalgette), papers, resolutions, prospectuses, surveys and inspections on various subjects including sewers and drains, cesspools, sewage, manure, waterways, flushing operations, public health, industrial sites, public conveniences, subterranean surveys, tides and water supply; minutes of the Commissioners and plans and maps of sewers, drains and waterways.

Minute books containing the minutes of various ad hoc Joint Committees:

Joint Committee of the Officers and Clerks and the Law, (Parliamentary) and City Courts Committees regarding Admiralty jurisdiction in the City of London Court, 1875; the impact of the Supreme Court of Judicature Acts of 1870 and 1875 and reforms to the practice and pleading of the Mayor's Court, 1875; reform of the Mayor's Court and City of London Court, 1880; the duties of and the pension to be awarded to City of London Court judges, 1894-1895; the nature, duties and emoluments of the Secondary and elections in Common Hall, 1897-1898.

Joint Committee of the Officers and Clerks and the Port of London Sanitary Committees regarding the salary of Harry Leach, Medical Officer of Health for the Port of London, 1875.

Joint Committee of the General Purposes and the Special Tithes Committees regarding matters relating to livings and benefices, 1875.

Joint Committee of the Coal, Corn and Finance and the Officers and Clerks Committees regarding the salary of William Payne, Chamber Principal Clerk, 1878; the nature, duties and emoluments of the Office of Chamberlain and his staff, 1892-1898; the nature, duties and emoluments of the City Solicitor and City Surveyor, 1895.

Joint Committee of the Law and City Courts and the Local Government and Taxation Committees regarding taking action against the Toll Bridges/River Thames Bill which aimed to free the toll bridges, 1876-1877; and the Supreme Court of Judicature, 1883.

Joint Committee of the Gas and Water and the Local Government and Taxation Committees regarding the progress of the Metropolis Waterworks Purchase Bill, 1880.

Joint Committee of the City Lands and the Law and City Courts Committees regarding finding accommodation for the hearing of special jury cases, 1891

Joint Committee of the City Lands and the Coal, Corn and Finance Committees regarding finding a site for the construction of a new British School of Art (Tate Gallery), 1891.

Joint Committee of the Coal, Corn and Finance and the Billingsgate and Leadenhall Markets Committees regarding reduction of tolls on fish brought to Billingsgate market, 1894.

Joint Committee of the Officers and Clerks and the and the Improvements and Finance Committees regarding the retirement of Principal Clerk of the Public Health Department, 1899.

Joint Committee of the City Lands and the Improvements and Finance Committees regarding cooperation with the London County Council to preserve the historic building at 17 Fleet Street (Prince Henry's Room, part of an inn that was one of the few buildings to survive the Great Fire of London), 1899-1900.

Joint Committee of Coal and Corn and Finance and Officers and Clerks Committees, ordered to enquire into the nature, duties and emoluments of the office of Chamberlain, to reconsider the terms and conditions of the appointment and to recommend any necessary reform, Sept 1943-Feb 1945.

Records of the Law, Parliamentary and City Courts Committee, Court of Common Council, including minutes and committee papers, 1856-1956, standing orders, 1856, administrative papers and correspondence, 1846-1930.

Records of the Special (City of London Court) Committee, Court of Common Council, including minutes and rough minutes, 1869-1870; committee papers, 1856-1870, particularly relating to Court fees, the Admiralty jurisdiction and the duties of judges; and outstanding references and proceedings, 1867-1869.

Extract from court roll for the manor of Hayes, relating to arable land in "Crouchefeild in Highewaie Shott".

Records relating to the manor of Honeylands and Pentriches and the manor of Worcesters, Enfield; including court books and rolls for the Court Baron, Court Leet and Court of Survey; rentals and surveys; plans; and quit rents.

Printed sheet of orders issued by the Committee for the Militia of the County of Middlesex, ordering lists of able-bodied men to be made, and 'watches' to be raised and armed when necessary.