In early English law, which local official was primarily responsible for maintaining order and overseeing justice within a county?

In early English law, which local official was primarily responsible for maintaining order and overseeing justice within a county?

• A. Sheriff
• B. Constable
• C. Watchman
• D. Shire Reeve

Answer: (A)

The sheriff (historically called the shire reeve) is the official who held county-wide responsibility for enforcing the king’s peace and overseeing justice. Appointed by the king to govern the shire, the sheriff ran the county court, served legal writs and orders, collected royal revenues, and could call on the posse to help pursue criminals. This broad authority across the whole county is what set the sheriff apart from more localized officers. A constable tended to local peacekeeping on a parish or town level, a watchman focused on urban night patrols, and the term shire reeve is simply the older name for the same office. So the sheriff best fits the description of maintaining order and overseeing justice within a county.

The sheriff (historically called the shire reeve) is the official who held county-wide responsibility for enforcing the king’s peace and overseeing justice. Appointed by the king to govern the shire, the sheriff ran the county court, served legal writs and orders, collected royal revenues, and could call on the posse to help pursue criminals. This broad authority across the whole county is what set the sheriff apart from more localized officers. A constable tended to local peacekeeping on a parish or town level, a watchman focused on urban night patrols, and the term shire reeve is simply the older name for the same office. So the sheriff best fits the description of maintaining order and overseeing justice within a county.