He also supervised the care of horses, hounds,
hawks, and huntsmen, houndsmen, and foresters. The marshalls came
from less important families than the constable and they preserved
order in the king's hall and recorded expenditures of the
household officers on tallies. The steward was a great baron whose
duties were chiefly ceremonial, such as placing the dishes before
the king at banquets.
Sheriffs became powerful figures as the primary agents for
enforcing royal edicts. There was no longer supervision of them by
earls nor influence on them by bishops. They were customarily
prominent barons. They collected the royal taxes, executed royal
justice, and presided over and controlled the hundred and county
courts. They were responsible for remitting a certain sum
annually. If a sheriff received more than necessary, he retained
the difference as his lawful profit of office. If he received less
than necessary, he had to make up the difference from his own
pocket. Before rendering theis account, he paid the royal
benefactions to religious houses, provided for the maintenance of
stock on crown lands, paid for the costs of provisions supplied to
the court, and paid for travelling expenses of the king and his
visitors. The payments were initially paid in kind: e.g. grain,
cattle, horses, hounds, and hawks. Sheriffs also took part in the
keeping of castles and often managed the estates of the King.
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