justiciar

American  

[juh-stish-ee-er] / dʒʌˈstɪʃ i ər /

noun

1. a high judicial officer in medieval England.

2. the chief political and judicial officer in England from the reign of William I to that of Henry III.

3. justiciary.

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justiciar British  

/ dʒʌˈstɪʃɪˌɑː /

noun

1. Also called: justiciary.  English legal history the chief political and legal officer from the time of William I to that of Henry III, who deputized for the king in his absence and presided over the kings' courts

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Other Word Forms

• justiciarship noun

Etymology

Origin of justiciar

1475–85; < Medieval Latin jūsticiārius justiciary

Example Sentences

From the first, then, though at the outset overshadowed by that of the justiciar, the office of chancellor was one of great influence and importance.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 7 "Cerargyrite" to "Charing Cross" by Various

On the accession of Robert II. he was nevertheless reconciled, becoming justiciar of southern Scotland, and the last years of his life were spent in making and repelling border raids.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 6 "Dodwell" to "Drama" by Various

In 1175 he was reappointed sheriff of Yorkshire, in 1176 he became justice of the king’s court and a justice itinerant in the northern circuit, and in 1180 chief justiciar of England.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 1 "Gichtel, Johann" to "Glory" by Various

Hugh was nominated justiciar jointly with William Longchamp when Richard left the kingdom.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 8 "Hudson River" to "Hurstmonceaux" by Various

He was accused of stirring up rebellion among the Welsh, and the justiciar proceeded against him.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 1 "Gichtel, Johann" to "Glory" by Various