1361: Quarter Sessions Organized Keepers of the Peace were elevated to Justices and empowered to determine cases as well as to bring them. Quarterly sittings commenced during 1363. The courts were empowered to try criminal cases and settle matters related to county administration, e.g. requirements pursuant to Poor Law, appeals to settlements and removals of the populace, granting of recognizances, administering militia substitutions and repair of highways and bridges.
2
1483/4
1483/4: College of Arms founded Founded by Richard III the College of Arms was to be the sole authority for the granting of armorial bearings in England and Wales from that time to the present day. Maintains thorough records concerning all grants of arms and registrations with pedigrees of thousands of families.
3
1530
1530: First Visitation of the Heralds of Arms Heralds' county visits to investigate the claims to the right to arms of residents. The visitations occurred every 13 years up to and including 1688. Many have been published.
4
1534
1534: Act of Supremacy This Act by Henry VIII ended the Pope's formal authority in England and led to the establishment of the Anglican Church of England. An oath was tendered to all men over the age of 14 and required the swearer to assert that the children of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn were rightful heirs to the throne.