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Simple English definitions for legal terms
shire-reeve
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A quick definition of shire-reeve:
A shire-reeve, also known as a reeve, was a person who had local authority and was responsible for enforcing the law in a specific area called a hundred. They were like a chief magistrate and oversaw court proceedings within the hundred. In later times, the reeve became a minor officer serving the Crown and acted as a deputy-sheriff. They were also responsible for overseeing manors and parishes. The shire-reeve was the reeve of a shire and was a predecessor to the sheriff.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: A shire-reeve is a ministerial officer of high rank who has local jurisdiction. They are the chief magistrate of a hundred. The shire-reeve executes process, keeps the peace, and enforces the law by holding court within the hundred. They are also known as a reeve.
Examples:
- A shire-reeve is responsible for maintaining law and order in their jurisdiction.
- The shire-reeve presides over the hundred-moot, where freeholders owe suit and justice is served.
- After the Conquest, the shire-reeve 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.’
These examples illustrate how the shire-reeve was an important figure in maintaining law and order in their jurisdiction. They presided over the hundred-moot, where justice was served and freeholders owed suit. After the Conquest, their role changed and they became the deputy of the sheriff, but they still played an important role in maintaining law and order.