Justiciar of Scotia facts for kids
The Justiciar of Scotia was a very important legal job in the Kingdom of Scotland a long time ago, during the High Middle Ages. Think of it as the top judge or legal officer. The word Scotia here means the part of Scotland north of the River Forth and River Clyde. There were also other Justiciars for different parts of Scotland, like Justiciar of Lothian and Justiciar of Galloway.
This important role had some ideas from the Anglo-Normans, who were people from England with French roots. But in northern Scotland, it also continued an older Scottish job. This older job was held by a senior Judex or Brithem, who was a native Scottish law expert. These law experts often looked after legal matters across a whole region.
What Did the Justiciar Do?
By the mid-1200s, the Justiciar's job became very clear and official. Their main tasks included:
- Watching over officials: They made sure that royal sheriffs and sergeants (who were like local law enforcers) did their jobs correctly.
- Holding courts: They led court sessions to settle legal disputes and make decisions.
- Reporting to the King: They told the king directly about what was happening in the courts and how the legal system was working.
Who Was the First Justiciar of Scotia?
One of the earliest known people to hold a similar important legal role was Causantín, Mormaer of Fife. A Mormaer was a powerful ruler of a large area, like an Earl. Causantín was called judex magnus, which means "great judge" or "great Brehon" in Scotia. It's likely that the Justiciar of Scotia job was just a new, more formal Latin name for this very old and important Scottish position.
Famous Justiciars of Scotia
Many important people held the title of Justiciar of Scotia over the years. Here are a few examples:
- Causantín, Mormaer of Fife: He was known as the "great judge" around 1128-1130.
- Duncan II, Mormaer of Fife: He held the role for a long time, from about 1154 to 1203.
- William Comyn, Earl of Buchan: He was Justiciar from 1205 to 1232.
- Alan Durward: He was a Royal Hostarius (a high-ranking official) and served as Justiciar twice, from 1244-1251 and again from 1255-1257.
- Alexander Comyn, Earl of Buchan: He was Justiciar from 1258 to 1289.
- Sir Robert Lauder of Quarrelwood: He was appointed in 1328.
These individuals played a key role in making sure laws were followed and justice was served in the Kingdom of Scotland during the Middle Ages.
