ROYAL SHORT

The Royal Court was built later than the State building, in 1856. It sits every two months for criminal trials. The courtroom includes, like ours, a courtroom, boxes for lawyers and clerks, and a gallery for the public. However, there was also a bench for the lords, as a result of the feudal system.

Two sessions are very important for the perpetuation of the feudal system of the island, the Assises d'Héritage (the Thursday following May 4 and the Thursday preceding October 11), because the lords of the manors of each parish must "appear": if the holder of the fiefdom fails to answer the call 4 times, the fiefdom is confiscated for the benefit of the king. On the fateful day, all the lords took their places on the bench. The Court was presided over by the Bailiff, assisted by 12 jurats. The island's lieutenant-governor was also present with his entire staff. Halberdiers stood guard. The attorney general then calls out the names of the fiefs. Each lord rose in turn and replied, "I keep my day," reaffirming his allegiance to the Duke of Normandy. The bishop of Coutances and the abbot of Mont-Saint-Michel were then called. This time, it was the lieutenant-governor who answered. No lord has ever failed to answer the call and it will be so until the end of time. If you are passionate about this institution, read Roger Vercel's excellent book(Les Iles Anglo-Normandes, Albin Michel, 1956). His descriptions of the ceremonies are a delight!