escheator

The Oxford Companion to Irish History | 2007 | 700+ words | Copyright

escheator, the royal official responsible for lands which came into the king's hands on a temporary basis, by reason of forfeiture, minority of the heirs of a tenant‐in‐chief (see wardship), or vacancy in a bishopric. He held inquisitions and administered the lands, either in person or by appointing custodians, accounting for the revenues at the exchequer. In the 13th century the income of the escheatry was substantial and the escheator was a senior member of the king's council. The importance of the office declined in the later Middle Ages, due to the shrinking of the area under the control of the Dublin government, and the duties of the office were often performed by deputy. During the 14th century there were several attempts to abolish the office and to have its functions carried out by the sheriff in each county.

Philomena Connolly

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