| Description | A volume containing acts of the Court of High Commission has been listed here as the first in the series of office court books, its jurisdiction being entirely office. This court had its origin in the early 16th century, in temporary commissions established for the trial of heretics; its official title was Commissioners for Causes Ecclesiastical, and at first it was under the control of the Privy Council, being used to enforce loyalty to the state. But gradually, as it became more permanent, it developed the aspects of a court, and its work became less political and more ecclesiastical. It appears to have had local branches, this one being for the Salisbury area; the bishop of Salisbury was always one of the Commissioners and the court always sat in Salisbury, dealing with cases arising in the neighbourhood. Courts were held in the cathedral or in the bishop's Palace. |