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.
As Chief Justice, Sir John must examine all unexpected deaths, murders, rapes, assaults, fires, shipwrecks, and catches of royal fish. He also aims to bring in as much revenue (through fines and confiscating property owned by convicted criminals) into the royal treasury rather than relying on the old manor and shire courts. We discover that Sir John oversees a vast jurisdiction – there are supposed to be three chief justices for Devon, but he is the only one.