Proof of age inquisition facts for kids

A proof of age inquisition was a special legal process used in England a long time ago, during the feudal era. It was needed when a young person, called a "minor," wanted to take control of their own land and money. This process helped them leave "wardship," which was like being under the care of a guardian until they were old enough.

The main goal was to prove that the young person had reached the "age of majority." This was the age when someone was legally considered an adult. For boys, this was 21 years old. For girls, it was 14 if they were married, or 16 if they were not married. To prove their age, people who knew the young person, like family or neighbors, had to give evidence about their exact birth date or when they were christened.

Once the inquisition was finished, the results were sent to a special court. This court would then tell the guardian to give the land and property back to the young person, who would then gain "seizin," meaning they officially owned it. If the young person was a "tenant-in-chief" (someone who held land directly from the King), the inquisition's findings went straight to the King's own court. The whole process started when the young person asked the King for a special written order, called a "writ," to begin the inquisition. This writ told a royal official, called an "escheator," to gather witnesses and start the investigation in the area where the young person's lands were located.

How a Proof of Age Inquisition Worked

This legal process was very important for young nobles and landowners. It made sure that land and wealth were passed on correctly once a young person became an adult.

Starting the Process

The first step was for the young person, or their family, to ask the King for a special order. This order, called a writ, was like a formal request to start the age check. The King would then send this order to an escheator. An escheator was a royal officer in charge of managing lands that belonged to the King, especially when a landowner died or was a minor.

Gathering Evidence

The escheator's job was to find people who could prove the young person's age. These witnesses were often local knights, priests, or other important people from the community. They had to remember specific events that happened around the time the young person was born. For example, they might remember a big storm, a special church event, or even the birth of their own child around the same time. This helped them recall the exact date.

The Final Decision

After hearing from all the witnesses, the escheator would write down their findings. This report was then sent to the appropriate court. If the court agreed that the young person was old enough, they would order the guardian to give back all the land and property. This meant the young person was now legally in charge of their own wealth.

Example: Alan la Zouche's Proof of Age

We have a record of a proof of age inquisition for a person named Alan la Zouche, 1st Baron la Zouche of Ashby. He was born on October 9, 1267. His inquisition happened in 1289, which allowed him to take control of his lands from the King.

Alan was born in a place called North Molton in Devon and was christened in the church there. Many people, including his uncle Henry la Zuche, gave evidence to prove his age. They remembered different things that helped them confirm he was 21 years old.

For example, one witness, the Abbot of Lyleshull, remembered that Alan was 18 four years before the inquisition. Another witness, the prior of Repindon, knew because his predecessor became prior in the same year Alan was born. A knight named Richard le Flemyng remembered because the woman who nursed Alan told him. These personal memories and connections helped to build a strong case for Alan's age.