Legal Definitions - essoin roll

Definition: An essoin roll is a historical document that contains a list of essoins (excuses for not appearing in court) and the dates to which they were adjourned.

Example: In medieval England, a defendant who could not attend court due to illness or other valid reasons could send an essoin, or excuse, to the court. The essoin would be recorded on the essoin roll, along with the new date to which the case was adjourned.

Another example: The essoin roll was an important tool for keeping track of court cases and ensuring that justice was served. Without it, cases could be delayed indefinitely or forgotten altogether.

Explanation: The examples illustrate how the essoin roll was used in medieval England to keep track of court cases and ensure that they were resolved in a timely manner. The roll was an important record of essoins and adjournments, and helped to prevent cases from being delayed or forgotten.