High-reeve
Encyclopedia
High-reeve was a title taken by some English
magnates during the 10th and 11th-centuries, and is particularly associated with the rulers of Bamburgh
. It was not however only used by rulers of Bamburgh. There is for instance , among a large number of other known high-reeves, an Ordulf "High-Reeve of Dumnonia".
The first reference to a "high-reeve" was perhaps in the third code of Edmund I of England
, where there is an official known as a summus praepositus. Alfred Smyth thought heah-gerefa was influenced by the Scottish word mormaer
, the meaning of which, supposedly "Great Steward", is possibly similar.
In the North People's Law, a high-reeve is given a wergild of four thousand thrymsas, the same as a hold and half the wergild of an ealdorman
. Ann Williams believes that the High-Reeve was originally an urban official whose job was to deputise for an ealdorman, but unlike other such figures could lead provincial armies.
areas in Westphalia
and Lower Saxony
in Northern Germany
. In 1164 a preliminary form of Hogrefe appears first in a document of Medebach
. The title remained in use until the 17th c. mainly in parts of Electoral Hanover
, today's State of Lower Saxony
.
Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-Saxon may refer to:* Anglo-Saxons, a group that invaded Britain** Old English, their language** Anglo-Saxon England, their history, one of various ships* White Anglo-Saxon Protestant, an ethnicity* Anglo-Saxon economy, modern macroeconomic term...
magnates during the 10th and 11th-centuries, and is particularly associated with the rulers of Bamburgh
Earls, ealdormen and high-reeves of Bamburgh
From the mid-tenth century to the early eleventh, Bamburgh and the surrounding region , the northern part of the old Kingdom of Northumbria, was ruled by a series of high-reeves and ealdormen...
. It was not however only used by rulers of Bamburgh. There is for instance , among a large number of other known high-reeves, an Ordulf "High-Reeve of Dumnonia".
The first reference to a "high-reeve" was perhaps in the third code of Edmund I of England
Edmund I of England
Edmund I , called the Elder, the Deed-doer, the Just, or the Magnificent, was King of England from 939 until his death. He was a son of Edward the Elder and half-brother of Athelstan. Athelstan died on 27 October 939, and Edmund succeeded him as king.-Military threats:Shortly after his...
, where there is an official known as a summus praepositus. Alfred Smyth thought heah-gerefa was influenced by the Scottish word mormaer
Mormaer
The title of Mormaer designates a regional or provincial ruler in the medieval Kingdom of the Scots. In theory, although not always in practice, a Mormaer was second only to the King of Scots, and the senior of a toisech.-Origin:...
, the meaning of which, supposedly "Great Steward", is possibly similar.
In the North People's Law, a high-reeve is given a wergild of four thousand thrymsas, the same as a hold and half the wergild of an ealdorman
Ealdorman
An ealdorman is the term used for a high-ranking royal official and prior magistrate of an Anglo-Saxon shire or group of shires from about the ninth century to the time of King Cnut...
. Ann Williams believes that the High-Reeve was originally an urban official whose job was to deputise for an ealdorman, but unlike other such figures could lead provincial armies.
Hogrefe
Hogrefe (Low Saxon hoghe greve, younger forms Hogrebe, Hogrefe, Hogreve, and Hogrewe, also as modern surnames) was a title and function taken by judges presiding a so-called Gogericht, which was part of the local jurisdiction mainly in the formerly SaxonDuchy of Saxony
The medieval Duchy of Saxony was a late Early Middle Ages "Carolingian stem duchy" covering the greater part of Northern Germany. It covered the area of the modern German states of Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Saxony-Anhalt and most of Schleswig-Holstein...
areas in Westphalia
Lower Rhenish-Westphalian Circle
The Lower Rhenish–Westphalian Circle was an Imperial Circle of the Holy Roman Empire. It comprised territories of the former Duchy of Lower Lorraine, Frisia and the Westphalian part of the former Duchy of Saxony....
and Lower Saxony
Lower Saxon Circle
The Lower Saxon Circle was an Imperial Circle of the Holy Roman Empire. Covering much of the territory of the mediæval Duchy of Saxony , firstly the circle used to be called the Saxon Circle , only to be later better differentiated from the Upper Saxon Circle the more specific name prevailed.An...
in Northern Germany
Northern Germany
- Geography :The key terrain features of North Germany are the marshes along the coastline of the North Sea and Baltic Sea, and the geest and heaths inland. Also prominent are the low hills of the Baltic Uplands, the ground moraines, end moraines, sandur, glacial valleys, bogs, and Luch...
. In 1164 a preliminary form of Hogrefe appears first in a document of Medebach
Medebach
Medebach is a town in the Hochsauerland district, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.-Geography:Medebach is situated approx. 15 km east of Winterberg, 17 km south-west of Korbach and 45 km north of Marburg.- Neighbouring municipalities:...
. The title remained in use until the 17th c. mainly in parts of Electoral Hanover
Electorate of Hanover
The Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg was the ninth Electorate of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation...
, today's State of Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony is a German state situated in north-western Germany and is second in area and fourth in population among the sixteen states of Germany...
.