stannary

A stannary was a specific type of court or district in England that dealt with tin mining and smelting. These areas were historically concentrated in Cornwall and Devon, where tin was a valuable and abundant resource. The stannary system was a unique legal and administrative framework that evolved to regulate the tin industry, grant rights to tinners, and resolve disputes related to mining.

The term "stannary" itself derives from the Latin word for tin, "stannum." The stannaries had their own laws, customs, and courts, which were separate from the general common law of England. This allowed for specialized jurisdiction over matters concerning tin production, including land rights for mining, the collection of royal taxes (tin dues), and the settlement of disputes between miners and landowners. The stannary courts played a crucial role in organizing and controlling the economic and social life of these tin-rich regions for centuries. The rights and privileges granted to tinners within the stannary system were significant, enabling them to access land for mining under specific conditions. While the stannary system has largely been superseded by modern mining legislation and legal structures, its historical significance in the development of English law and the prosperity of Cornwall and Devon is considerable.