Which term was an early English official responsible for enforcing the law within a region and a precursor to the sheriff?

• A. Shire-Reeve
• B. Slave Patrols
• C. Mutual Pledge
• D. Posse Comitatus

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is the historical origin of the sheriff in England and the official who preceded it. In Anglo-Saxon England, each shire was overseen by a royal official called the shire-reeve. This official was responsible for maintaining the king’s peace, enforcing law within the shire, overseeing local courts, collecting dues, and supervising other local officers. After the Norman Conquest, this role evolved into what became known as the sheriff, preserving much of the same authority but under the crown.

The other terms don’t fit as the official who enforced law within a region. Slave patrols are a later American institution tied to enforcing slavery. A mutual pledge refers to a community-based obligation for mutual safety, not an official position. Posse comitatus describes the sheriff’s power to call on civilians to assist, not the official themselves.