Portreeve


A portreeve or port warden is the title of a historical official in England and Wales possessing authority over a town. The details of the office have fluctuated and evolved considerably over time. The term derives from the word port ; and the word reeve, meaning a high-ranking supervisory official.
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 portreeves acted as representatives of the people to ensure that their duties to the mayor and community were fulfilled. In some cases the role has been combined with that of mayor. Portreeves may also have acted as returning officers at elections.
Contemporary British towns which still nominally have or appoint a portreeve include Laugharne, Carmarthenshire; Ashburton, Devon ;, Kingsbridge, Devon; Beccles, Suffolk; Callington, Cornwall ; and Yeovil, Somerset.