In Town: Henry's Medieval Occupations Quiz

Answer: Bailiff

A bailiff is assigned to a district, which is called a bailiwick, that is usually not his home district. He can also be an official on a manor. If that is the case, he oversees the lord's land, collects rent, and runs his farms.

Answer: Summoner

Usually the ecclesiastical court is overseen by a bishop or an archdeacon, who keep an eye on the behavior of the people in their diocese. A summoner will deliver a summons to those who commit offenses such as "sins of immorality, witchcraft, usury, simony, neglect of the sacraments, and withholding tithes or offering".

These courts are very powerful, and I know I never want to be called before one of them!

Answer: Catchpole

The term "catchpole" literally means "chicken catcher"! It comes from the fact that people who owe taxes are as difficult to catch as a barnyard hen! After paying a fee to be authorised to collect all the taxes within a certain area, the catchpole can then keep whatever he is able to take from the people. I'm afraid some of his methods are probably not legal!

Answer: Pursuivant

A pursuivant, or Officer of Arms, has three responsibilities. First, he initiates and controls all matters relating to the coats of arms used by noble families. Next, he arranges and participate in ceremonies of state. Lastly, he interprets genealogical records. There are different levels of Officer of Arms, and the pursuivant is considered to be the junior officer.

Answer: Chancellor

A medieval writing office is called a chancery, and the chancellor is the officer in charge there. In London, the chancery produces all the writs and charters for the king. The office also keeps the charter rolls, patent rolls (published documents), and all of the private records, called "letters close", of the king.

Answer: Master of the Revels

The Master of the Revels is in charge of the entertainment in the king's household. My lord, the Earl of Warwick, has been invited to attend while we are in town. I hope I am chosen to go too! The Master oversees royal festivities, and is in charge of providing special foods for the king's guests as well.

Answer: Constable

In keeping and maintaining armaments, the constable is responsible for protecting individual settlements. Later, after the office of Lord High Constable was established, he became the commander of the king's army. On the local level, the constable of a town is to collect evidence, and write down everything he sees.

He is the "eyes and ears" of the judge and has the power to bring a person to court for trial.

Answer: Liner

Much of the land in a town or city belongs to the king or the local lord. The liner draws the plots, usually consisting of a house and narrow plot of land, that can be rented to tenants. The payment of rent can be in the form of coin or services.

Answer: Herald

Originally a herald was a messenger, sent by the king or nobleman to carry messages or make proclamations. As a herald always wore a tabard decorated with his master's coat of arms, he became associated with the regulation of a knight's coat of arms. Nowadays, heralds organize, announce, and referee at tournaments.

Answer: Judge

Although the lord of the manor is the person who has the power to dispense justice there, we do have a system of circuit judges who are appointed by the king. Their decisions are based on what we call common law, that is, law that has developed through custom and tradition. A person may purchase a writ, which is an order for a hearing in a royal court.