2.4.2 The Sheriff (Shire Reeve)

Question 1

How did the Normans change The sheriff (shire reeve) (3)

Answer 1

• The sheriff was much more important in Norman England than ever before. Some sheriffs exploited their power.
• Sheriffs controlled the shire they were appointed to and answered directly to the king in Norman times. They had reported to the earls in Anglo-Saxon times.
• Sheriffs continued to be responsible for defence (the army/fyrd) and for making sure that people in their shire obeyed the law. After castles were built, guarding Norman castles became the sheriff’s responsibility.

Question 2

What was demesne? (2)

Answer 2

• Demesne meant the money that sheriffs paid to allow them to manage the king’s land and estates.
• Any money made after the demesne was paid to the king was kept by the sheriffs themselves.

Question 3

Why were the sheriffs resented by local populations in Norman England?

Answer 3

They took a share of all of the taxes that they collected for the king. This incentivised them to collect as many taxes as possible.

Question 4

What was the Sheriff also known as?

Answer 4

The shire reeve