Riding towards the River Derwent, Eadwine reflected on justice. Did it exist in this time or were the priests right? Perhaps only a merciful God could dispense righteousness. In this imperfect world, he was called upon by the king to uphold the law and since his appointment to the position of Shire Reeve, he had executed little more than routine administration with the collection of fines for minor offences, the gathering of taxes and the proclamation of the king’s writs.
Today would be his first real test because a family had turned to the king’s officials for justice. A son had died in a neighbourhood quarrel and demanded redress. They had witnesses and wished the case to be heard. The situation would be a yardstick for the fledgling reeve since it was to be held in the heart of Deira j
