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Simple English definitions for legal terms
reve
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A quick definition of reve:
Reve (also spelled reeve) is a historical term used to describe different types of officers in England. In the past, a reve could be a high-ranking officer who had local jurisdiction and was responsible for executing process, keeping the peace, and enforcing the law. They could also be a minor officer serving the Crown at the hundred level, an overseer of a manor or parish, or the head of an unincorporated municipality. The term shire-reeve was used to describe the reeve of a shire, who was a forerunner of the sheriff. Overall, a reve was an important figure in the administration of justice and governance in England's past.
A more thorough explanation:
Reve: A historical term used to refer to the bailiff of a franchise or manor. It can also refer to an overseer of a manor, parish, or similar area.
Reeve: A ministerial officer of high rank who had local jurisdiction. The reeve was the chief magistrate of a hundred. In addition, a reeve could be a minor officer serving the Crown at the hundred level, such as a bailiff or deputy-sheriff.
During Anglo-Saxon times, the reeve was an independent official who executed process, kept the peace, and enforced the law by holding court within the hundred. All the freeholders, unless relieved by special exemption, 'owed suit' at the hundred-moot, and the reeve of the hundred presided over it.
After the Conquest, the hundred assembly lost its importance quickly. Pleas of land were taken from it, and its criminal jurisdiction limited to one of holding suspects in temporary detention. The reeve of the hundred became the deputy of the sheriff, and the chief purpose of holding the hundred court was to enable the sheriff to hold his tourn and to permit a 'view of frankpledge,' i.e., an inspection of the person who ought to belong to the frankpledge system.
In England, the head of an unincorporated municipality was called a borough reeve. The shire-reeve was a forerunner of the sheriff.
The examples illustrate how the term "reve" and "reeve" were used in historical times to refer to different types of officials who had local jurisdiction and were responsible for maintaining law and order. The examples also show how the role of the reeve changed over time, from being an independent official to becoming a deputy of the sheriff. The examples provide a clear understanding of the term "reve" and "reeve" and their historical significance.