If no will the court named an administrator to identify the assets of the deceased, settle claims against the estate, etc. The administrator was empowered under a letter of administration. I'm not sure but you may find executors there too. Administrators often had some tight relationship to the decedent. In some cases they were motivated to serve because they were owed money by the decedent.
Court is held, people show up and talk, and records are kept.
If these are probate court records you'll get date information, any juicy items relative to the estate settlement, naming of heirs, guardians, etc. In general, very useful. Probate files hold documents pertaining to a particular estate. These often have very useful information. RENT A rent paid by a freeman in lieu of services required under feudal custom.