The Manor of Wareham Court Leet: a survival of an ancient local court, which existed long before the current systems of local and central government.

Bread Weighers: check the freshness and weight of the bread and to ensure a consistent two-pound loaf throughout the manor.

Chimney Peepers: check that chimneys are swept clean; a measure introduced after the fire of Wareham in 1762, when a large part of the town was destroyed.

These courts were once held in most towns and villages in the country, presided over by the Lord of the Manor and dealt exclusively with local matters. In particular, they addressed local government and policing issues such as trading standards and breaches of local rules.