Legal Definitions - articles of the eyre

Articles of the Eyre refers to a historical set of structured questions used by traveling royal judges, known as "justices in eyre," during their periodic visits to local communities in medieval England. These questions were presented to the community members to uncover any crimes, legal violations, or administrative failures that had occurred since the judges' previous visit. The primary purpose of this inquiry was to ensure that royal law was enforced, to punish wrongdoing, and to collect fines or penalties, thereby generating revenue for the Crown.

Here are some examples illustrating how "articles of the eyre" would have been applied:

• Unreported Crime in a Village: Imagine a small medieval village where a serious theft, perhaps of livestock or valuable goods, occurred several months prior. Due to a weak local constable or fear of reprisal from the culprits, the crime was never properly investigated or the perpetrators brought to justice by local authorities.

  When the justices in eyre arrived, they would present their "articles of the eyre." These questions would compel the villagers, often under oath, to reveal such incidents. For example, questions might ask, "Have any felonies, such as theft or robbery, been committed in this community since the last eyre, and if so, by whom?" Upon hearing about the theft, the justices would then initiate an investigation, identify suspects, and impose fines or other punishments, thus asserting royal authority and ensuring that justice was served, while also collecting revenue for the King.

• Neglect of Royal Rights and Property: Consider a town situated near a royal forest. The local lord or sheriff might have been lax in preventing poaching of the King's deer, or perhaps a wealthy landowner had illegally enclosed common land that traditionally belonged to the community or the Crown, thereby infringing on royal prerogatives.

  The "articles of the eyre" would include specific questions designed to uncover such infringements. Questions might inquire about "encroachments upon the King's forest" or "who has illegally enclosed common lands." The community members, compelled to answer truthfully, would report these breaches. The justices would then address these violations, potentially fining the negligent officials or ordering the landowner to restore the land, thereby upholding royal authority and protecting the Crown's financial and territorial interests.

• Failure in Local Governance and Public Works: Picture a market town whose main bridge, vital for trade and travel, had fallen into severe disrepair. The local officials responsible for its maintenance had neglected their duties, making passage dangerous and hindering commerce, but no local action had been taken to rectify the situation.

  The "articles of the eyre" would also cover matters of local governance and public order. Questions might ask about "the state of public roads and bridges" or "who is responsible for their upkeep and has failed in their duty." When the justices arrived and posed these questions, the community would report the dilapidated bridge. The justices could then levy fines against the negligent officials or even the community itself for failing to maintain essential infrastructure, compelling them to rectify the situation and ensuring the smooth functioning of the realm, while also contributing to royal coffers.