The Medieval Coroner: Part 2 Trivia Quiz

Answer: The coroner had to be present at all declarations of outlawry.

Outlaws and criminals are somewhat synonymous terms today but in medieval times, there were clear distinctions. If an accused person posted bail so that they could be at liberty until the court convened but failed to show up in court, the accused person's name would be called in court.

This call was made at four consecutive court hearings and if the accused still failed to appear, he was declared an outlaw. The coroner was required to be present at all of the declarations of outlawry and to record it in his rolls.

Answer: His inquest sent the officers to court so they could be acquitted for justifiable homicide.

Outlaws had few rights in medieval England and officers of the county were well regarded when they rid the land of one. The coroner held an inquest so that the county court could declare that the officials had committed justifiable homicide.

Answer: A felon could reduce his punishment by implicating his fellow criminals.

Today's legal system allows a common practice of receiving immunity for testifying against criminal accomplices. This has its roots in the approvers appeal where the accused could attempt to implicate his comrades in crime and to reduce his own sentence.

The felon had to confess his crimes before the coroner and another witness and the coroner would record the details of incriminating evidence against the confederates. In reality, very few of those appeals succeeded.

Answer: precious stones

Gold and silver were commonly regarded as valuable and could be found as coins, bullion or plate. Precious stones were extremely rare in medieval England and not considered treasure trove. The coroner was expected to record who found suspected treasure, possible owners and the value of the items. Even if the owners were positively determined, the valuables could be taxed. If no owner was found, the Crown took possession of the entire treasure.

The coroner's role in treasure trove was one of the few that continued after the Coroner's Act in 1887.

Answer: shipwrecks

Shipwrecks were a major event for coastal areas and the Crown required that the coroner be on the scene as quickly as possible to claim the loot before the gathering crowds could make off with it. Whatever valuables could be obtained from the wreck were secured by the coroner until the King's agents arrived to take possession.

It was very difficult, if not impossible to prevent the populace from quickly descending on a wreck and taking what they could. By the middle of the 14th century, a member of the Exchequer called the 'escheator' had generally taken over the coroner's role with respect to shipwrecks.

Answer: whale and sturgeon

Whale and sturgeon were highly prized in medieval England and their capture was considered to be of benefit to the crown. The King would often grant any catches of royal fish to the local lord and the coroner's job was to take possession of the carcass and make sure that the rightful person or the King received the benefit of the catch.

This duty was forbidden by the Coroner's Act of 1887.

Answer: All of these have been documented as tasks for a coroner.

The medieval coroner was often called upon to do these types of odd jobs, no doubt, because of his perceived abilities of investigation and documentation.

Answer: 1800s

It was only in 1836 that the coroner was allowed to pay a medical witness a fee. Advances in forensic science and medical science made it increasingly necessary for the coroner to be a medical specialist.

Answer: The coroner's heirs at law

The coroner's heirs would usually be his immediate family. If they failed to deliver the deceased coroner's records in proper condition and form to the court, they could be heavily fined, imprisoned and their lands seized. The continuity of the records was taken very seriously and their diligence in keeping these records safe is evident in those coroner's rolls that have survived to the present day.

Answer: It exported with other legal institutions as the British Empire expanded.

England, Wales and Scotland would eventually become Great Britain. As the British Empire spread to colonies and territories in other parts of the world, many British institutions became entrenched in these areas. Many customs in law, deeds, wills, probate, voting, parish registers and the court system became part of life in the far reaches of the Empire and the coroner went with them.
There are two excellent sources for further research:
http://britannia.com/history/coroner1.html and "The Medieval Coroner" by Roy F. Hunnisett.