gerefa

The gerefa was an official in Anglo-Saxon England, primarily known from the laws of King Alfred the Great. The exact nature and scope of the gerefa's duties are not definitively established, but it is generally understood that they were local administrative officers. The term itself is believed to derive from an Old English word meaning "servant" or "officer."

The primary surviving source detailing the gerefa's responsibilities is the set of legal codes attributed to Alfred. These laws suggest that the gerefa held a position of authority within a specific locality, likely a hundred or a shire. Their duties may have included the collection of taxes, the supervision of local markets, the execution of legal judgments, and the maintenance of order. They would have acted as a representative of royal authority at a local level.

The gerefa's role appears to have evolved over time. While initially a prominent figure, the office may have been superseded or its functions absorbed by other administrative roles as Anglo-Saxon governance developed. The surviving evidence provides a glimpse into the structure of early English administration, highlighting the importance of local officials in enforcing laws and managing the realm.