Justiciar facts for kids
A Justiciar was a very important official in medieval times. Think of them as a super-judge or even a main helper to the king. The word "Justiciar" comes from a Latin word meaning "man of justice."
In England's medieval government, the Chief Justiciar was like a Prime Minister today. They were the king's top minister and had a lot of power. Similar jobs existed in other parts of continental Europe, like in Norman Italy and the Carolingian Empire.
Scotland also had a similar role, but usually with two or three Justiciars. These included the Justiciar of Scotia, the Justiciar of Lothian, and sometimes the Justiciar of Galloway. Over time, these roles became one national job called Lord Justice-General. Today, the main judge in Scotland is called the Lord President of the Court of Session.
The Justiciar of Ireland was a key position created during the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland. It helped the English control Ireland. After England took over Wales in the 1200s, areas owned by the English kings were managed by the Justiciar of North Wales and the Justiciar of South Wales.
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Justiciars in England
In the Kingdom of England, the word "justiciar" first meant any officer in the King's Court (called the Curia Regis). It could also mean anyone who had their own law court or could act as a judge in local shire courts.
In each English shire (like a county), the sheriff was the king's main representative. If someone disagreed with a sheriff's decision, they could only appeal to the king. This was a lot of work for sheriffs. So, King William Rufus started appointing local justiciars to help.
Norman kings often spent time outside England. They appointed a justiciar, regent, or lieutenant to rule the kingdom for them. This person was like the sheriff, but for the whole country. Later, this job became known as the Chief Justiciar.
Some historians believe Roger of Salisbury was the first Chief Justiciar. Others think it might have been Bishop Ranulf Flambard during the time of William I of England. However, the title "Chief Justiciar" was only used for the king's top minister during the reign of King Henry II.
The Chief Justiciar was always a powerful noble or a high-ranking church leader. This job became very important and powerful. Sometimes, it even became a threat to the king's power. The last great justiciar, Hubert de Burgh, 1st Earl of Kent, was removed from his position in 1232. After that, the Lord Chancellor took over as the second most powerful person after the king.
Under King Edward I, the office of justiciar was replaced. Instead, there were separate heads for the three main parts of the King's Court. These were the justices of the Court of Common Pleas, the justices of the Court of King's Bench, and the barons of the Court of Exchequer.
Important English Justiciars
| Name | Time in Office | King(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Roger of Salisbury | 1102–1116? | Henry I |
| Ralph Basset | 1116 | |
| Richard Basset | ||
| Roger of Salisbury | ?–1139 | Stephen |
| Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester | 1154–68 (with Richard de Luci) | Henry II |
| Richard de Luci | 1154–79 | |
| Ranulf de Glanville | 1180–89 | |
| Richard I | ||
| William de Mandeville, 3rd Earl of Essex | 1189 (with Hugh de Puiset) | |
| Hugh de Puiset, Bishop of Durham | December 1189 – April 1190 | |
| William Longchamp, Bishop of Ely | 1189–91 | |
| Walter de Coutances, Archbishop of Rouen | 1191–93 | |
| Hubert Walter, Archbishop of Canterbury | 1194–98 | |
| Geoffrey Fitz Peter, 1st Earl of Essex | 11 July 1198 – 14 October 1213 | |
| John | ||
| Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester | 1213–1215 | |
| Hubert de Burgh, 1st Earl of Kent | 1215–1232 | |
| Henry III | ||
| Stephen de Segrave | ?–1234 | |
| Hugh Bigod | 1258–60 | |
| Hugh le Despencer | 1260 – May 1261, July 1263 – 4 August 1265 | |
| Philip Basset | May 1261 – July 1263 |
Justiciars in Scotland
In Scotland, justiciars were the king's main helpers for legal and administrative tasks. This job started in the 1100s. There were usually two or three high-ranking justiciars. The main one, the Justiciar of Scotia, was in charge of the area north of the River Forth. The Justiciar of Lothian handled the kingdom's southern part.
The role of justiciar in Scotland eventually became the current Lord Justice-General. This person is the head of the High Court of Justiciary and the head of all judges in Scotland. The Duke of Argyll still has the old family title of High Justiciar of Argyll, but it doesn't come with any duties today.
Justiciars in Wales
After Edward I of England conquered Wales (1277–1283), he set up new rules for the areas directly controlled by the king. The new counties of Anglesey, Caernarfonshire, and Merioneth were managed by the Justiciar of North Wales. Carmarthenshire and Cardiganshire were controlled by the Justiciar of South Wales.
Justiciars in Ireland
The title justiciar or chief justiciar was often used for the chief governor of Ireland for centuries after the Norman invasion of Ireland. By the 1400s, the chief governor was usually called the King's Lieutenant. The justiciar then became a less important role, which later developed into the Lords Justices of Ireland.
Justiciars in Other Places
Henry II of England also gave the title Justiciar to the Seneschal (a high official) of Normandy.
In the 1100s, a magister justitiarius appeared in the Norman kingdom of Sicily. This person led the Royal Court and, with helpers, decided important cases reserved for the Crown. It's not clear if this job was copied from England, but it was likely based on a Norman practice used in both places. Later, in the 1200s, the job of justiciar was set up in several main towns around Sicily.
In medieval Sweden, the lagman (meaning "lawspeaker") was a judge or someone who knew a lot about law for a province. This role is often translated as "justiciar" in English texts because it was a similar kind of justice official. Lagmän were also usually members of the Senate, which was like the English Privy Council. The Swedish term "riksdrots" is also often translated as "Lord High Justiciar of Sweden."
