As Crowner, Sir John has to investigate all sudden deaths, murders, rapes, assaults, fires, wrecks and catches of royal fish, as well as trying to drive as much custom (through fines and taking of property owned by convicted criminals) as possible into the royal treasury, instead of the old manor and shire courts. We learn that Sir John has a large area to administer – there are supposed to be three crowners for Devon but he is the only one.
Sir John, as Chief Justice, must investigate all sudden deaths, murders, rapes, assaults, fires, shipwrecks, and royal fish catches. He also seeks to collect revenue (through fines and seized property from convicted criminals) into the royal treasury rather than relying on the old manor and shire courts. We learn that Sir John is responsible for a broad area – there are supposed to be three chief justices for Devon, but he is the only one.