Legal Definitions - liber ruber scaccarii

The Liber Ruber Scaccarii, which is Latin for "Red Book of the Exchequer," was a significant historical register maintained in medieval England. Primarily compiled during the reign of King Henry II (1154-1189), this document served as a detailed record of individuals who held land directly from the Crown "per baroniam," meaning by barony. These landholders, often powerful nobles, were obligated to provide specific feudal services and military support to the king in exchange for their land. The Liber Ruber Scaccarii therefore offers invaluable insight into the feudal structure, land tenure, and administrative practices of the English monarchy during the 12th century.

• Imagine a modern historian researching the distribution of power and wealth among the English nobility during the 12th century. To understand which families held significant land directly from King Henry II and what their obligations were, this historian would consult the Liber Ruber Scaccarii. The register would provide a list of names and the lands they held "per baroniam," allowing the historian to map out the feudal hierarchy and identify key players in the kingdom's administration and military structure.

• Consider a genealogist attempting to trace the ancestry of a prominent British family back to the Norman Conquest era. If family lore suggests an ancestor was a powerful baron under Henry II, the genealogist might turn to the Liber Ruber Scaccarii. Finding their ancestor's name listed as holding land "per baroniam" would provide concrete historical evidence, confirming their status as a direct tenant of the Crown and a significant figure in the medieval feudal system, thereby validating a crucial link in the family's lineage.

• A legal scholar specializing in the development of English common law might study the Liber Ruber Scaccarii to understand the practical application of feudal law. By examining the entries, the scholar could analyze the types of services and military contributions expected from those holding land "per baroniam," shedding light on how the Crown managed its resources and enforced its authority through land tenure agreements during the High Middle Ages.