Legal Definitions - Court of Augmentations

Definition: The Court of Augmentations was a court created by King Henry VIII in 1536 to settle disputes that arose from the royal policy of taking over properties owned by monasteries. The court was merged with the Court of Exchequer in 1554.

Example: When King Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries, he took over their lands and properties. This led to many disputes and legal issues, which were settled by the Court of Augmentations. For example, if a monastery had leased land to a tenant, the court would decide whether the tenant had to pay rent to the king or to the monastery.

Explanation: The example illustrates how the Court of Augmentations was responsible for resolving disputes related to the dissolution of monasteries. The court had the power to decide who owned the properties and how they should be used. This was important because it allowed the king to take control of the monasteries' wealth and resources, which he used to fund his military campaigns and other projects.