The Men Behind the Masque: Office-holding in East Anglian boroughs, 1272-1460
[contents]

APPENDIX I
The Officers of Borough Government



Governmental Structure

The columns giving dates refer to the first known appearance of the office; in many cases evidence suggests that the office was created at this date.

  EXECUTIVE FINANCIAL OFFICE UPPER COUNCIL LOWER COUNCIL
C
O
L
C
H
E
S
T
E
R
2 reeves

2 bailiffs

pre-1189

1189

2 receivers
(title changed to
chamberlains c.1404)
1372 8 auditors and
16 councillors
1372 16 councillors 1462
I
P
S
W
I
C
H
reeve

2 bailiffs, 4 coroners

coroners reduced to 2
pre-1200


1200


1317
2 chamberlains 1320 12 portmen 1200 24 councillors temp.
Hen.VI
L
Y
N
N
gild alderman

bishop's steward

bailiff(s?)

mayor
pre-1204

pre-1204

1204

c.1204-17
4 chamberlains 1295 24 jurats 1301 27 councillors 1418
M
A
L
D
O
N
2 constables

bailiff

2nd bailiff
added
1359

1384

1403
2 chamberlains 1404 18 wardemen

6 aldermen
1384

1554
wardemen
change status
1554
N
O
R
W
I
C
H
reeve

bailiff

bailiffs
increased to 4

mayor and
2 sheriffs
pre-1194

1194


c.1223


1403
untitled officer

2 chamberlains
1293

c.1326
15 councillors

24 councillors

(become aldermen 1417)
1272

1344
80 councillors

reduced to 60
1414

1417
Y
A
R
M
O
U
T
H
4 bailiffs

bailiffs
reduced to 2
1208


1426
4 keepers
of the pyx

2 chamberlains

1291

1426
24 jurats 1272 48 councillors 1426


APPENDICES

Introduction |  Structure of Borough Government |  Social and Economic Background of Office-Holders
Monopolisation of Office |  Attitudes Towards Office-holding |  Professionalism in Administration
Quality of Government |  Conflict and Solidarity in Urban Politics |  Conclusion

Created: July 30, 1998 © Stephen Alsford, 1998-2003