| Portreeve |
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Information AboutPortreeve |
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A portreeve, or 'port warden' is a historical British political appointment with a fluctuating role which evolved over time. The origins of the position are in the reign of Edward The Elder , who, in order to ensure that taxes were correctly exacted forbade the conducting of trades outside of a 'port' or duly appointed place for trading, and without the supervision of a portreeve or other trustworthy person. At this time therefore, they had a role as a fiscal supervisor, much like modern customs and revenue officers. By the late middle ages they acted as a representative of the people to ensure that their duties to the mayor and community were fulfilled; in some cases (and usually more recently) the role was also that of mayor. In some cases the portreeve also acted as a returning officer at elections. Contemporary British towns which still nominally have or appoint a portreeve include: Ashburton , Beccles , Callington (where the name is given to the council chairman), Cheevel , Yeovil . |