Who was a bailiff in the middle ages?

Answer 1

1st Answer:

Role of a Medieval Bailiff

A medieval bailiff was the peasants representative to the lord, and was a free man. He helped oversee the peasents work, managed the day-to-day profits and expenses of the manor & farm, and reported on the lord other servants. In some towns he also ran the court.

2nd Answer:

A bailiff was an administrative officer, as a sheriff, mayor, or administrator of a subdivision of a county known as a hundred. The person who supervised the work of peasants, and who may have been elected by them from among themselves for this purpose, was a reeve. The meanings of both words changed with time.

There is a link below to a more detailed discussion.

Answer 2

Actually, in the Early Middle Ages, unless it was fairly large most places didn't have a bailiff. The family took care of matters when there was a problem, and if a judgment was needed the when something was between two people that came from the noble who governed the area. In the High Middle Ages villages began to have bylaws and village meetings and bylaw enforcement was trusted to wardens elected by the villagers. These were filled by peasants with substantial holdings. Studies of villages in the manorial system of Ramsey Abbey have shown a peasant aristocracy dominating village life. A key office was that of a juror ( this isn't like the juror of today) and this person was chosen because they knew the facts, the plaintiff and defendant as well as the law that was the "custom of the manor." They rendered judgment, testified, and conducted the investigation. They could be fined for falsifying or concealing charges and their responsibilities continued between court sessions. Others village offices were also taken by the leading families. There was even an office of Ale Taster who was responsible for checking the quality of the ale brewed in the village. Soon an hierarchy of courts was set up to settle disputes and a policing system known as frankpledge assigned all males over the age of 12 to groups called tithing's. Each group numbered 10-12 and was headed by a capital pledge or chief pledge. The tithing was responsible for the behavior of its members and presented minor local police matters in court.

Answer 3

A bailiff could have had any of a number of offices, including sheriff or mayor. It varied greatly from time to time and from place to place. In general, however, the bailiff was a representative of a person in high authority, usually a king, in a local situation.