# Justiciar

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Medieval title for judge or minister

For the British barrister who wrote under this name, see [Vincent Powell-Smith](/source/Vincent_Powell-Smith).

Not to be confused with [Justiciary](/source/Justiciary).

**Justiciar** is the English form of the [medieval Latin](/source/Medieval_Latin) term *justiciarius* or *justitiarius* (meaning "judge" or "[justice](/source/Justice_(title))").[1][2] The **Chief Justiciar** was the king's [chief minister](/source/List_of_English_chief_ministers), roughly equivalent to a modern [Prime Minister of the United Kingdom](/source/Prime_Minister_of_the_United_Kingdom).[3]

The Justiciar of Ireland was an office established during the [Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland](/source/Anglo-Norman_invasion_of_Ireland) and was a key tool in its colonisation. Following the conquest of the [Principality of Wales](/source/Principality_of_Wales) in the 13th century, the areas that became personal [fiefs](/source/Fief) of the English monarchs were placed under the control of the [Justiciar of North Wales](/source/Justiciar_of_North_Wales) and the [Justiciar of South Wales](/source/Justiciar_of_South_Wales).

A similar office was formed in Scotland, although there were usually two or three – the [Justiciar of Scotia](/source/Justiciar_of_Scotia), the [Justiciar of Lothian](/source/Justiciar_of_Lothian) and, in the 13th century, the [Justiciar of Galloway](/source/Justiciar_of_Galloway). These offices later evolved into a national one called Lord Justice-General. The modern title is [Lord President of the Court of Session](/source/Lord_President_of_the_Court_of_Session).

Similar positions existed in [continental Europe](/source/Continental_Europe), particularly in [Norman Italy](/source/Norman_Italy) and in Sweden.

## England

Further information: [Government in Norman and Angevin England](/source/Government_in_Norman_and_Angevin_England)

In [Norman England](/source/Norman_England), kings enlarged the scope of royal justice by delegating judicial authority to members of the *[curia regis](/source/Curia_regis)* (Latin for "king's court"). These were called justiciars.[4] [Henry I](/source/Henry_I_of_England) (r. 1100–1135) appointed local justiciars to supervise a county or group of counties.[3] It was not until the reign of [Henry II](/source/Henry_II_of_England) (1154–1189) that the title was exclusively applied to the king's [chief minister](/source/List_of_English_chief_ministers).[1]

After the [Norman Conquest](/source/Norman_Conquest) of 1066, the King of England was also [Duke of Normandy](/source/Duke_of_Normandy) and divided his time between the two territories. In his absence, [William the Conqueror](/source/William_the_Conqueror) (r. 1066–1087) temporarily delegated [viceroyal](/source/Viceroyal) authority to trusted officers described variously as regent, custodian, and prefect. When [William Rufus](/source/William_Rufus) (r. 1087–1100) became king, this temporary role developed into a more permanent and defined office. Rufus entrusted the control of government administration to his chaplain, Bishop [Ranulf Flambard](/source/Ranulf_Flambard) of Durham. Flambard ran the government at all times, even when Rufus lived in England.[5] Historian [Frank Barlow](/source/Frank_Barlow_(historian)) argues that Flambard was the first chief justiciar.[6] While Flambard was probably the first to exercise the powers of a chief justiciar, he never held that rank officially. Nevertheless, he was described by contemporary chronicler [Orderic Vitalis](/source/Orderic_Vitalis) as a *justiciarius*.[1]

Sometime around 1107 or 1108, Henry I appointed his [chancellor](/source/Lord_Chancellor), [Roger of Salisbury](/source/Roger_of_Salisbury), as the first chief justiciar. Roger was described by chroniclers as *secundus a rege* (Latin for "second from the king"). Roger oversaw the administration of justice, ecclesiastical appointments, and royal finances. According to the chronicler [Symeon of Durham](/source/Symeon_of_Durham), Roger made most decisions for the royal government. Historian [Bryce Lyon](/source/Bryce_Lyon) writes that "Roger was a sort of medieval [prime minister](/source/Prime_Minister_of_the_United_Kingdom) but a minister immeasurably more powerful because his only responsibility was to his lord the king."[7]

The chief justiciar was responsible for directing the [royal household](/source/Royal_Households_of_the_United_Kingdom), the *curia regis*, and the government departments. Nevertheless, he was not a member of the household. He was the presiding officer of the [exchequer](/source/Exchequer) and directed the procedures of the *curia regis* as the chief royal justice. He also supervised the itinerant justices.[8]

The chief justiciar was invariably a great noble or [churchman](/source/Clergy), and the office became very powerful and important; enough to be a threat to the king. The last great justiciar, [Hubert de Burgh, 1st Earl of Kent](/source/Hubert_de_Burgh%2C_1st_Earl_of_Kent), was removed from office in 1232, and the [chancellor](/source/Lord_Chancellor) soon took the position formerly occupied by the chief justiciar as second to the king in dignity, as well as in power and influence. Under [King Edward I](/source/Edward_I_of_England), the office of justiciar was replaced by separate heads for the three branches into which the King's Court was divided – justices of the [Court of Common Pleas](/source/Court_of_Common_Pleas_(England)), justices of the [Court of King's Bench](/source/Court_of_King's_Bench_(England)), and barons of the [Court of Exchequer](/source/Exchequer_of_Pleas).[9]

### List of chief justiciars of England

Name[10] Term King(s) Roger of Salisbury 1102–1116? Henry I Ralph Basset 1116 Richard Basset (Justiciar) Roger of Salisbury ?–1139 Stephen Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester 1154–68 (jointly with Richard de Luci) Henry II Richard de Luci 1154–79 Ranulf de Glanville 1180–89 William de Mandeville, 3rd Earl of Essex 1189 (jointly with Hugh de Puiset) Richard I Hugh de Puiset, Bishop of Durham December 1189 – April 1190[11] 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[12] John Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester 1213–1215 Hubert de Burgh, 1st Earl of Kent 1215–1232 Henry III Stephen de Segrave ?–1234[11] Hugh Bigod 1258–60 Hugh le Despencer 1260 – May 1261, July 1263 – 4 August 1265[11] Philip Basset May 1261 – July 1263[11]

## Scotland

Main article: [Commission of Justiciary](/source/Commission_of_Justiciary)

In Scotland, justiciars were the king's lieutenants for judicial and administrative purposes. The office was established in the 12th century, either by [Alexander I](/source/Alexander_I_of_Scotland) or by his successor, [David I](/source/David_I_of_Scotland).[9] The title of 'Justiciar' was reserved for two or three high officials, the chief one—the [Justiciar of Scotia](/source/Justiciar_of_Scotia)—having his jurisdiction to the north of the [River Forth](/source/River_Forth). The [Justiciar of Lothian](/source/Justiciar_of_Lothian) dealt with the part of the kingdom south of the Forth-Clyde line.[9] The role of justiciar evolved into the current [Lord Justice-General](/source/Lord_Justice-General), the head of the [High Court of Justiciary](/source/High_Court_of_Justiciary), head of the judiciary in Scotland, and a member of the Royal Household. The [Duke of Argyll](/source/Duke_of_Argyll) still holds the hereditary title of High Justiciar of Argyll, but no responsibilities now attach to it.

## Wales

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Main articles: [Justiciar of North Wales](/source/Justiciar_of_North_Wales) and [Justiciar of South Wales](/source/Justiciar_of_South_Wales)

Following [Edward I of England](/source/Edward_I_of_England)'s conquest of the [Principality of Wales](/source/Principality_of_Wales) (1277–1283), the [Statute of Rhuddlan](/source/Statute_of_Rhuddlan) established the governance of the areas of Wales under direct royal control. The new counties of [Anglesey](/source/Anglesey), [Caernarfonshire](/source/Caernarfonshire) and [Merioneth](/source/Merioneth) were administered on behalf of the king by the Justiciar of North Wales, while [Carmarthenshire](/source/Carmarthenshire) and [Cardiganshire](/source/Cardiganshire) were placed under the control of the Justiciar of South Wales.

## Ireland

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Main article: [Chief governor of Ireland](/source/Chief_governor_of_Ireland)

The title *justiciar* or *chief justiciar* was commonly borne by the [chief governor of Ireland](/source/Chief_governor_of_Ireland) in the centuries after the [Norman invasion of Ireland](/source/Norman_invasion_of_Ireland). By the fifteenth century the chief governor was usually styled the King's Lieutenant, with the justiciar a subordinate role that evolved into the [Lords Justices of Ireland](/source/Lords_Justices_of_Ireland).

## Other jurisdictions

For the Italian institution, see [Justiciarate](/source/Justiciarate).

The title Justiciar was given by [Henry II of England](/source/Henry_II_of_England) to the [Seneschal](/source/Seneschal) of [Normandy](/source/Normandy).[9]

In the 12th century, a *magister justitiarius* appeared in the Norman kingdom of [Sicily](/source/Sicily), presiding over the Royal Court (*Magna Curia*), empowered, with his assistants, to decide, inter alia, all cases reserved to the Crown.[9] There is no clear evidence that this title and office were borrowed from England; it was probably based on a Norman practice instituted in both realms. In the 13th century the office of justiciar was instituted in several principal localities around Sicily.

In medieval Sweden, the *lagman* ("[lawspeaker](/source/Lawspeaker)") was the judge, or person learned in law, for a province, an area with several local district courts. Since the position corresponds to the general meaning of "justiciar", "justiciar" is often used to translate "lagman" in English texts. Lagmän (plural) were generally also members of the Senate of the realm, an institution corresponding to the English Privy Council. Finally, the Swedish term "riksdrots" is often translated as "Lord High Justiciar of Sweden".[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Notes

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-eb2_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-eb2_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-eb2_1-2) [Chisholm, Hugh](/source/Hugh_Chisholm), ed. (1911). ["Justiciar"](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Justiciar). *[Encyclopædia Britannica](/source/Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica_Eleventh_Edition)* (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [Baker, John](/source/John_Baker_(legal_historian)) (2019). [*An Introduction to English Legal History*](https://books.google.com/books?id=bPqNDwAAQBAJ) (5th ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 43 footnote 16. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-19-254074-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-19-254074-4).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBaker201918_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBaker201918_3-1) [Baker 2019](#CITEREFBaker2019), p. 18.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Lyon, Bryce](/source/Bryce_Lyon) (1980). *A Constitutional and Legal History of Medieval England* (2nd ed.). W. W. Norton & Company. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-393-95132-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-393-95132-4). 1st edition available to read online [here](https://archive.org/details/constitutionalle0000bryc).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELyon1980152–153_5-0)** [Lyon 1980](#CITEREFLyon1980), pp. 152–153.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** *William Rufus*, F. Barlow, Methuen, London 1983.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELyon1980153–154_7-0)** [Lyon 1980](#CITEREFLyon1980), pp. 153–154.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELyon1980154_8-0)** [Lyon 1980](#CITEREFLyon1980), p. 154.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-eb_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-eb_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-eb_9-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-eb_9-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-eb_9-4) [Chisholm, Hugh](/source/Hugh_Chisholm), ed. (1911). ["Justiciar"](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Justiciar). *[Encyclopædia Britannica](/source/Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica_Eleventh_Edition)* (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. Accessed on 29 March 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Titles: Title of "Justiciar""](http://www.magnacharta.com/bomc/title-of-chancellor/). *Baronial Order of Magna Charta*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230327012046/https://www.magnacharta.com/bomc/title-of-chancellor/) from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2012.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-shb_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-shb_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-shb_11-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-shb_11-3) Susan Higginbotham. ["The Last Justiciar: Hugh le Despenser in the Thirteenth Century"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080629024448/http://www.susanhigginbotham.com/hugh_the_justiciar.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.susanhigginbotham.com/hugh_the_justiciar.htm) on 29 June 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["JOHN (Lackland)"](http://www.archontology.org/nations/england/king_england/john.php). *Archontology.org*. Retrieved 15 February 2008.

## External links

- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the [public domain](/source/Public_domain): [Chisholm, Hugh](/source/Hugh_Chisholm), ed. (1911). "[Justiciar](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Justiciar)". *[Encyclopædia Britannica](/source/Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica_Eleventh_Edition)*. Vol. 15 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 595.

- [William Stubbs](/source/William_Stubbs), *Constitutional History of England*

- [Du Cange](/source/Charles_du_Fresne%2C_sieur_du_Cange), *Glossarium* (Niort, f885) s.v. Justitiarius (in Latin).

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Authority control databases International GND 2 Other Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Justiciar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justiciar) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justiciar?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.