The court of Quarter Sessions was instituted in 1362 and was held continuously until the Beeching reorganisation of the court system in 1971. Sessions were held four times a year, usually in Taunton, Bridgwater and Wells, and occasionally in smaller towns such as Ilchester and Bruton. Prior to the establishment of County Councils in the late 19th century, Quarter Sessions dealt with all matters of civil concern as well as any criminal case that did not go to Assizes.

The Records

Order Books (Ref. Q\SO)

Sessions Rolls (Ref. Q\SR)

These date from 1607, although three earlier rolls exist for 1561, 1591 and 1597. From 1607-39 the rolls were in two series: one containing examinations of suspects and witnesses taken before Justices prior to the Sessions; the other containing draft orders, letters to the clerk or Justices, petitions, memoranda, and bastardy orders. Justices sitting out of Sessions dealt with the latter. From 1649-1725 the rolls largely contain examinations. From 1725 nearly everything is in the same series, and after 1750 highway stopping up orders and sacrament certificates are included.

Indictment Rolls (Ref. Q\SI)

These are usually small parchment slips detailing charges being brought against the accused. They may also contain lists of Justices and jurors, presentments at Assizes and recognisances.

Recognisance Rolls (Ref. Q\RLA)

Recognisance is a bond or obligation, and most of those found in Quarter Sessions are of alehouse keepers. The keepers and their sureties had to enter into a bond with the Sessions to promise to keep orderly houses.

Petition Rolls (Ref. Q\SPET)

Petitions to the Justices are mainly found in the Sessions rolls, but there are a few petitions in a separate series for the period c.1644-64.Calendars of Prisoners (Refs Q\SCS and Q\SCA) There are separate calendars of prisoners to be tried at Sessions 1812-82, and Assizes 1810-1905. Earlier calendars for Sessions prisoners appear in the Order Books. (See also DD\MK for Assize calendars 1796-1823 and Sessions calendars 1836-1915.)

Gaol Records (Ref. Q\AG)

Somerset's County Gaol was at Ilchester until 1843, at Wilton until 1884 and is now at Shepton Mallet. Records include registers of prisoners, plans of the buildings, applications to be turnkey or gaoler, rules, regulations, chaplains' notebooks and Governors' letter books. Justices were responsible for inspecting gaol conditions and the Sessions rolls contain their reports until 1877.