Portreeve facts for kids
A portreeve was an important official in olden times in England and Wales. Think of them as a kind of town manager or supervisor. They had power over a town's rules, money, and daily life. The word "portreeve" comes from two old words: "port" and "reeve". "Port" didn't always mean a place for ships. Back then, it often meant a market town or a walled town. A "reeve" was a high-ranking boss or supervisor. So, a portreeve was like the main supervisor of a town!
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What is a Portreeve?
A portreeve was a special person in charge of a town. This job was mostly found in England and Wales. The portreeve had different kinds of power. This included political power, which means they helped make decisions for the town. They also had administrative power, which means they helped run the town's daily activities. And they had fiscal power, which means they managed the town's money.
The exact duties of a portreeve changed a lot over many years. But their main goal was always to help the town run smoothly.
Where Did the Portreeve Come From?
The idea of a portreeve started a very long time ago. It began during the reign of Edward the Elder. He was a king who lived from about 874 to 924 AD. King Edward wanted to make sure that taxes were collected correctly.
To do this, he made a rule. People were not allowed to trade or sell things outside of a "port." A "port" was a special, official place for trading. Also, all trading had to be watched by a portreeve or another trusted person. This way, the king could make sure everyone paid their fair share of taxes.
So, at first, portreeves were like tax collectors or customs officers. They made sure money was handled properly.
What Did a Portreeve Do?
The job of a portreeve changed quite a bit over the centuries. They started as tax supervisors. But their role grew to include many other important tasks for the town.
Early Responsibilities
In the early days, portreeves were mainly focused on money. They made sure that taxes were collected from traders. They also supervised markets to prevent cheating. This helped the king get the money he needed. It also helped keep trade fair for everyone in the town.
Later Responsibilities
By the Middle Ages, portreeves had a broader role. They became representatives for the people. This means they spoke for the town's citizens. They made sure that the mayor and the community leaders did their jobs well. They helped make sure the town's rules were fair.
Sometimes, the role of portreeve was even combined with that of the mayor. This meant one person held both important jobs. Portreeves also sometimes acted as "returning officers" during elections. This means they helped manage the voting process. They made sure elections were fair and accurate.
Portreeves Today
Even though the job is very old, some towns in Britain still have a portreeve today! These roles are often more ceremonial now. This means they are more about tradition than daily governing.
Some towns that still have a portreeve include:
- Laugharne in Carmarthenshire, Wales.
- Ashburton in Devon, England. This is special because it's the only town where the job is still required by an act of parliament.
- Kingsbridge in Devon, England.
- Beccles in Suffolk, England.
- Callington in Cornwall, England. Here, the name is given to the person who chairs the town council.
- Yeovil in Somerset, England.
These towns keep the tradition alive. They remind us of the long history of local government in England and Wales.
