Roger fitzReinfrid

Roger fitzReinfrid (sometimes Roger fitzReinfrey; died 1196) was a medieval English sheriff and royal justice. Probably born into a knightly family, Roger first was in the household of a nobleman before beginning royal service. His brother, Walter de Coutances, was a bishop and archbishop and likely helped advance Roger's career. Besides holding two sheriffdoms, Roger was entrusted with the control of a number of royal castles.

Early life Roger was the brother of Walter de Coutances, who was Archbishop of Rouen from 1184 to 1207, Another relative was John of Coutances, who was either the brother of Walter and Roger, John went on to become Bishop of Worcester from 1196 to 1198. Possibly another brother of Roger's was Odo of Coutances, a canon at Rouen Cathedral. From 1168 to 1178, Roger was in the household of Richard de Lucy. Later he served as a royal justice. Another patron of Roger's was Simon de Senlis, the Earl of Huntingdon and Earl of Northampton, who gave a soke in London to Roger in July 1175. Roger was regularly employed by the king as a justice. In 1176, Henry II summoned Roger as a Serjeant-at-law, one of the first identifiable members of that order in the historical record. (The others summoned by Henry were: 1168: Reginald de Warenne 1174: John de Cumin, William fitzRalph, and William fitzStephen 1176: William Basset along with Roger 1177: Hugh de Cressy 1179: Hugh de Gaerst, Ranulf de Glanvill, and Hugh Murdac 1182: William de Auberville and Osbert fitzHervey 1184: Ralph fitzStephen.)

Royal service

In 1173, Roger was granted custody of Windsor Castle, and retained control of Windsor until 1193, gaining the title of constable of the castle in 1179. In 1176, Roger was one of the 18 men named as justicias errantes, who were sent out in three panels of six men after the Assize of Northampton in January 1176. These panels were sent to hear cases and dispense justice as needed throughout the country. King Henry II of England named Roger as Sheriff of Sussex in 1176, which office he retained until 1187. Roger was also Sheriff of Berkshire from 1186 until the death of King Henry II in 1189. nor is the name of his mother known.

Roger's wife was named Alice. and his wife and mother were to be buried at St Mary Clerkenwell.