An officer responsible for managing aspects of a manor or estate on behalf of the lord.
A bailiff was an officer responsible for carrying out the practical administration of a manor or estate on behalf of the lord.
The duties of a bailiff varied according to the size and organisation of the estate. They could include collecting rents, supervising agricultural work, managing tenants’ obligations, maintaining records and ensuring that the lord’s rights were protected.
On many estates the bailiff worked alongside the steward, who usually had wider legal and administrative responsibilities.
Bailiffs were important figures in the everyday operation of manorial estates and are frequently mentioned in estate accounts and court records.
See also:
Steward
Reeve
Court Baron
Lord of the Manor
