The Reeve's Tale: Justice and Corruption in Medieval England

In this episode, Lucas and Luna step away from kings and battles to explore the everyday world of the medieval English reeve — the man who ran the manor and collected the lord's dues. Through the lens of Chaucer's 'Reeve's Tale' and real records like the Pipe Rolls and manorial court rolls, they uncover how reeves balanced duty and self-interest, how they were audited, and how corruption was punished. The conversation touches on the Statute of Laborers, the famous case of the reeve of Cuxham, and the broader system of manorial justice. Along the way, they discuss the roots of the word 'reeve', the Sheriff's role, and how these local officials shaped English law and administration. It's a fresh look at the people who made the medieval system work — and sometimes break it. #Reeve #Manorialism #MedievalEngland #Chaucer #ReevesTale #PipeRolls #ManorialCourts #StatuteOfLaborers #Cuxham #Sheriff #MedievalJustice #Feudalism #EnglishHistory #MedievalLaw #LocalGovernment #History #FexingoHistory #MedievalLife Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo