Legal Definitions - sub ballivus

The term sub ballivus refers to a historical legal role, essentially a subordinate officer who assisted a higher-ranking official, specifically a bailiff or sheriff. This individual acted as a deputy, carrying out duties on behalf of their superior within a specific jurisdiction.

Historically, a sub ballivus would have performed various tasks delegated by the principal bailiff or sheriff, such as serving legal documents, collecting taxes, or maintaining local order.

• Example 1: Tax Collection in a Medieval County

  Imagine a sheriff in 14th-century England, responsible for collecting royal taxes across a large county. Instead of personally visiting every village, the sheriff would appoint several sub ballivi, each assigned to a specific district or "hundred." One such sub ballivus might be tasked with traveling through the villages of the Blackwood Hundred, assessing and collecting the required levies from the local populace on behalf of the sheriff.

  This example illustrates the sub ballivus acting as a deputy, performing a specific administrative and financial duty (tax collection) under the direct authority and supervision of the principal sheriff.

• Example 2: Serving a Legal Writ in a Remote Manor

  A court issues a writ, a formal legal order, requiring a landowner in a distant manor to appear before the king's justice. The county sheriff receives this writ but, due to the travel required and other pressing duties, assigns a trusted sub ballivus to journey to the remote manor. The sub ballivus then personally delivers the writ to the landowner, ensuring they are properly notified of the court's demand.

  Here, the sub ballivus functions as the sheriff's representative, executing a legal process (serving a writ) in a specific locality, demonstrating their role as a delegated officer.

• Example 3: Maintaining Order on a Large Estate

  On a vast medieval estate, the chief bailiff was responsible for overall administration, justice, and security. To manage day-to-day issues within a particular village or section of the estate, such as resolving minor disputes, overseeing market transactions, or ensuring the peace, the chief bailiff might appoint a local sub ballivus. This individual would act as the chief bailiff's eyes and ears, enforcing local customs and maintaining order under their superior's direction.

  This scenario shows the sub ballivus as a subordinate officer, delegated authority by a superior bailiff to maintain order and perform administrative tasks within a defined, smaller area of jurisdiction.