Legal Definitions - hundredarius

A hundredarius was a historical term referring to an official or a juror associated with a "hundred." A hundred was a traditional administrative and territorial division of land, primarily in medieval England, that was larger than a village but smaller than a shire or county. The hundredarius played various roles within this division, often related to local governance, law enforcement, or the administration of justice.

• Example 1 (Local Justice and Order): In 12th-century England, if a dispute arose between two farmers over property boundaries within a specific hundred, a hundredarius might be the local official responsible for convening a court (often called a Hundred Court) to hear the case. This individual would ensure that local customs and laws were applied, mediating the conflict and enforcing any judgments made, thereby maintaining peace and order within their designated territory.

• Example 2 (Jury Service): When a serious crime, such as theft, occurred in a particular hundred, a group of local men would be assembled to serve on a jury to determine the facts. A hundredarius could be one of these jurors, chosen because of his standing in the community and presumed knowledge of the local area and its inhabitants. His participation would ensure that justice was administered by individuals familiar with the local context and customs.

• Example 3 (Administrative Oversight): Imagine a period when the Crown needed to assess and collect taxes or military levies from various regions. A hundredarius might be appointed to oversee this process within their hundred, ensuring that all eligible households and landowners contributed their fair share. This role involved significant administrative responsibility, including record-keeping and reporting to higher authorities, demonstrating their function in the broader governmental structure.