The Inquest of the Sheriffs (1170)
Refers to AQA A2 History
Angevin Kings Module
- Created by: Bethany
- Created on: 17-04-14 19:58
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- The Inquest of the Sheriffs ~ 1170
- The Sheriffs
- Were the key personnel at the heart of Henry II's financial and administrative reforms.
- Had become too powerful by the mid-twelfth century.
- Some Barons had acquired sheriffdoms as part of their own personal estates, both before the reign of Stephen and during the Civil War.
- Led to too much power/ corruption
- The Inquest
- Henry II returned to England after a four year absence in Spring 1170 and set up a special commision to enquire into the malpractices of local government.
- The issues with local government had come to light with the Cartae Baronum, the aid for the marriage of the King's daughter in 1168 and the royal justice.
- The King's justices also enquired into financial payments made to bishops, abbots, earls, barons, knights, citizens, merchants, stewards and servants.
- It was a 'miraculous inquest'
- The King's justices also enquired into financial payments made to bishops, abbots, earls, barons, knights, citizens, merchants, stewards and servants.
- The issues with local government had come to light with the Cartae Baronum, the aid for the marriage of the King's daughter in 1168 and the royal justice.
- The King wished to ascertain the financial exploitation of England in his four year absence and since the Cartae Baronum.
- Henry II returned to England after a four year absence in Spring 1170 and set up a special commision to enquire into the malpractices of local government.
- What did the inquest reveal?
- There was huge detail and tenacity of the enquiries made.
- The inquest clearly shows the authority of the crown.
- Such an investigation in France and Germany would have been unthinkable.
- After the inquest, almost all Sheriffs were replaced.
- Of the six that remained in office, four were members of the King's household.
- Before 1170, Sheriffs were usually Barons, after 1170, they were mostly Civil Servants who owed their position to the King.
- The Sheriffs
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