Reginald de Cornhill facts for kids

Reginald de Cornhill was an important English official who worked for King John. He was also known as Reynold de Cornhill.

Reginald came from a family of officials. His father, Gervase, was a High Sheriff of Kent. His brother, Henry, was a sheriff in London. Reginald followed in their footsteps, holding several important jobs for the King.

Reginald's Important Jobs

Reginald de Cornhill held many key positions during his career. These roles showed how much King John trusted him. He helped manage different parts of the kingdom.

Sheriff of Kent and Surrey

Reginald was the High Sheriff of Kent for many years. He served from 1189 to 1193 and again from 1196 to 1215. A sheriff was like a top local official. They were in charge of law and order and collecting taxes in their area. He was also the High Sheriff of Surrey from 1213 to 1215. In 1215, he was sent to Lancaster to become the High Sheriff of Lancaster. This happened after a local leader, Gilbert Fitzreinfrid, started a revolt.

Royal Tax Collector

From 1202 to 1204, Reginald had a big job collecting taxes. He was in charge of a special tax called a "fifteenth." This tax was collected on goods that merchants brought into or sent out of England. He worked with other officials, William of Wrotham and William of Furnell, to make sure the money was properly recorded.

Keeper of the King's Ports

In 1216, Reginald was given another important role. He became the "Keeper of the King's Ports and Galleys." This meant he was in charge of the King's ships and the ports where they docked. This was a vital job for protecting England's coastlines and trade.

Role in the Barons' War

Reginald de Cornhill played a part in a major conflict during King John's reign. This was when many powerful nobles, called barons, rebelled against the King.

Defending Rochester Castle

In 1215, Reginald was the constable of Rochester Castle. This meant he was in charge of the castle's defense. The castle belonged to Stephen Langton, who was the archbishop of Canterbury. When the rebelling barons sent troops to take the castle, Reginald opened the gates to them. He allowed William d'Aubigny and his soldiers to enter. They wanted to hold the castle against King John.

King John then laid siege to Rochester Castle. A siege is when an army surrounds a castle or city to try and capture it. Reginald and the rebels inside the castle bravely held out for two months against the King's forces.

Family and Land

Reginald de Cornhill was married to a woman named Maud. Through her, he had a claim to a special role at St Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury. In 1197, he and Maud gave up this claim. In return, they received 80 marks (a type of money) and 50 acres of land.

In 1203, Reginald made another agreement. The leaders of Prittlewell Priory gave him and his family a special right. They could always choose one clerk to become a monk in their priory. This was in exchange for Reginald giving up his claim to part of a church in North Shoebury.