Laxton is the only village in the world which still operates the mediaeval “Three Field Strip Farming” system which is regulated by a “Manorial Court” The Court Leet. Outside our judicial system, it is the only court that is empowered to level fines.
The Court Leet convenes once a year after the Jury (appointed to check for; under ploughing of a tenant’s own strip, over ploughing someone else’s strip, the adjacent grass areas (sykes) or roadways) have inspected the previous year’s fallow field which has now been ploughed and drilled with the wheat crop for the following harvest.
The Foreman of the Jury compiles a presentment paper, listing the various misdemeanours that have been found, which is read out to the court by the Bailiff of the Three Fields.
The members of the Court, consisting of anyone who “sets up smoke in Laxton”, discuss these misdemeanours, allowing the culprit to explain any mitigating circumstances that might explain why a fine should not be levied, before deciding if a fine should be imposed and if so how much should be paid.
This process has existed unchanged for over 1,000 years.
