Legal Definitions - contrarotulator

A contrarotulator was a historical official responsible for overseeing and managing financial accounts and collecting funds on behalf of a monarch or government entity.

• Example 1: Managing Tolls for Public Works

  Imagine a medieval town where a new bridge is built over a vital river crossing. The local lord, acting under the authority of the Crown, might appoint a contrarotulator to manage the collection of tolls from merchants and travelers using the bridge. This official would be responsible for accurately recording these collections, ensuring the funds were used for bridge maintenance and security, and remitting any surplus to the lord's treasury.

  Explanation: This illustrates a contrarotulator collecting specific funds (tolls) and managing their allocation (maintenance, treasury remittance) on behalf of a governmental authority (the local lord acting for the Crown).

• Example 2: Overseeing Funds for a Military Garrison

  During a period of border conflict, a king might establish a permanent military garrison in a strategic fortress. A contrarotulator could be assigned to this garrison to oversee the collection of local taxes or levies specifically designated for its upkeep. This official would ensure these funds were properly gathered, accounted for, and then disbursed to pay soldiers' wages, purchase provisions, and maintain the fortress's defenses, all while maintaining meticulous records for the royal treasury.

  Explanation: Here, the contrarotulator is responsible for collecting funds (local taxes/levies) and managing their expenditure (soldiers' pay, provisions, maintenance) directly for the Crown's military efforts.

• Example 3: Administering Revenues from Royal Mines

  Consider a region rich in mineral resources, where several mines are owned directly by the Crown. A contrarotulator might be appointed to meticulously track and collect all revenues generated from these royal mines, including royalties from miners and sales of extracted ore. This individual would ensure that all monies were accounted for, prevent fraud, and regularly transfer the collected funds to the royal treasury, providing detailed reports of the mining operations' financial performance.

  Explanation: This example shows a contrarotulator managing diverse income streams (royalties, ore sales) from a royal asset and ensuring these funds were accurately collected and transferred to the Crown's central finances.