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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Waterford => Topic started by: Leo Kearon on Monday 19 December 16 12:49 GMT (UK)

Title: High Constable of Waterford
Post by: Leo Kearon on Monday 19 December 16 12:49 GMT (UK)

While looking through the St. Patrick Graveyard inscriptions I notice a High Constable of the City buried in the Graveyard. However I have no idea what a High Constable actually does and I can't seem to find any information on the role entailed. In particular any information about High Constable during the 1700's since the High Constable here died in 1798

Title: Re: High Constable of Waterford
Post by: dathai on Monday 19 December 16 14:27 GMT (UK)

i entered High Constable  here and got a few hits
search archives
http://www.nationalarchives.ie/search-the-archives/

Title: Re: High Constable of Waterford
Post by: Sinann on Monday 19 December 16 18:22 GMT (UK)

I did the same on this http://www.csorp.nationalarchives.ie/search/index.php very likely the same results.
Mainly people looking to be appointed to the position of High Constable.
Apart from some policing powers they seem to do a lot of collecting of rate/taxes. Collecting the cess features quite a bit.
Now I need to go and find out what the cess was.

It appears to be a tax on land owners to pay for public works such as roads and bridges.

Title: Re: High Constable of Waterford
Post by: Leo Kearon on Wednesday 21 December 16 10:20 GMT (UK)

So it seems High Constable was part Constable and part tax collector. Ineteresting.