(coronator) an ancient officer in England, so called because he hath principally to do with pleas of the crown, or such wherein the king is more immediately concerned. And in this light, the lord chief justice of the king's bench is the principal coroner in the kingdom; and may, if he pleases, exercise the jurisdiction of a coroner in any part of the realm. But there are also particular coroners for every county of England; usually four, but sometimes five, and sometimes fewer. This officer is of equal authority with the sheriff; and was ordained, together with him, to keep the peace when the earls gave up the wardship of the county.

He is chosen by all the freeholders of the county court; and by the statute of Westminster 1, it was enacted, that none but lawful and discreet knights should be chosen; but it seems now sufficient if a man have lands enough to be made a knight, whether he be really knighted or not; for the coroner ought to have an estate sufficient to maintain the dignity of his office, and answer any fines that may be made upon him for his misbehaviour; and, if he hath not enough to answer, his fine shall be levied on the county, as a punishment for electing an insufficient officer. Now, indeed, through the culpable neglect of gentlemen of property, this office has been suffered to fall into disrepute, and get into low and indigent hands; so that although formerly no coroners would be paid for serving their country, and they were by the aforesaid statute of Westminster 1, expressly forbidden to take a reward under pain of great forfeiture to the king; yet for many years past they have only desired to be chosen for the sake of their perquisites; being allowed fees for their attendance by the statute 3 Hen. VII. c. 1, which Sir Edward Coke complains of heavily, though since his time those fees have been much enlarged.

The coroner is chosen for life; but may be removed, either by being made sheriff, or chosen juror, which are offices incompatible with the other; and by the statute 25 Geo. II. c. 29, extortion, neglect, or misbehaviour, are also made causes of removal.

The office and power of a coroner are also, like those of the sheriff, either judicial or ministerial; but principally judicial. This is in great measure obtained by statute 4 Edw. I. De officio coronatoris; and consists, first, in inquiring, when any person is slain, or dies suddenly, or in prison, concerning the manner of his death. And this must be super visum corporis; for if the body is not found, the coroner cannot fit. He must sit at the very place where the death happened. And his inquiry is made by a jury from four, five, or six of the neighbouring towns, over whom he is to preside. If any be found guilty by this inquest of murder, he is to commit to prison for farther trial, and is also to inquire concerning their lands, goods, and chattels, which are forfeited thereby; but whether it be murder or not, he must inquire whether any deedland has accrued to the king, or the lord of the franchise, by this death; and must certify the whole of this inquisition to the court of king's-bench, or the next assizes. Another branch of his office is to inquire concerning shipwrecks; and certify whether wreck or not, and who is in possession of the goods. Concerning treasure-trove, he is also to inquire concerning the finders, and where it is, and whether any one be suspected of having found and concealed a treasure; "and that may well be perceived, (faith the old statute of Edw. I.) where one liveth riotously, haunting taverns, and hath done so of long time;" whereupon he might be attached and held to bail upon this suspicion only.

The ministerial office of the coroner is only as the sheriff's substitute. For when just exception can be taken to the sheriff, for suspicion of partiality, (as that he is interested in the suit, or of kindred to either plaintiff or defendant), the process must then be awarded to the coroner, instead of the sheriff, for execution of the king's writs.