The term made its first appearance in England in William the Conqueror's "Domesday Book" of 1087 as "Ieet ", signifying a territorial and jurisdictional area in East Anglia.
By the 12th century, the term "leet " had spread throughout England, referring specifically to a court which exercised the jurisdiction of the sheriff�s tourn - a royal court with criminal jurisdiction.
The right to hold such a court, a "court leet", was very much prized by the lord of the manor at it prevented the sheriff from interfering with his tenants. The lord of the manor was granted the franchise by the King and administered what was virtually a royal court for his own profit.
The lord of the manor had a right to hold a court for his tenants which was termed a "court baron", regardless whether or not the lord of the manor was a peer. If he had been granted a franchise to hold a court leet, the two were most frequently held together and referred to as the "court leet".
The enclosures of the commons in the 18th and early 19th century abolished the commons lands, the administration of which was the chief purpose of the existence of the courts leet. Most had disappeared by 1946, their responisibilities passing to the County Courts.
Only about 17 courts leet remain in England and, of these, four are in the North Yorkshire Moors.
| NORTH YORKSHIRE |
| Danby |
| Fyling |
| Spaunton |
| Whitby Laithes |
| | The territory of Whitby Laithes is now so small that its jurisdiction is restricted to grass verges. |
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