THE HISTORY OF THE OFFICE OF HIGH SHERIFF
THE OFFICE of High Sheriff (historically known as the shrievalty) is well over 1,000 years old and is the oldest continuous secular office under the Crown. It originated from the Anglo-Saxon scirgerefa (shire reeve or guardian), and the King's reeve in a shire became known as the High Reeve, later High Sheriff, a royal official above local faction and therefore able to enforce the King's interest in a county. As early as 669 King Egbert of Kent sent his reeve, Redfrid, to Paris to escort Theodore of Tarsus back to Canterbury to take office as Archbishop. The King's Reeve administered agriculture and justice and collected rents on the King's land.
After the Norman Conquest all land was deemed to be the King's land and Sheriffs' powers increased to cover tax collection, instead of the more customary Anglo-Saxon rents in kind. They could raise the hue and cry after criminals in their counties, and keep the King's peace by mobilising the posse comitatus, the full military force of the county, although itinerant justices assumed their judicial functions from 1166. Sheriffs are mentioned throughout Magna Carta (1215) and were clearly still fundamental to the running of the shires, and by the 14th century they had become highly influential in choosing their counties' parliamentary representatives. Early Sheriffs often served for several years in succession, but in 1258 a tenure of one year only was enacted, although the annual change of postholder did not operate universally until the mid-14th century.
Historically, ladies have rarely acted as Sheriff, two notable exceptions being Dame Nicolla de la Haye (Lincolnshire 1216) and Lady Ann Clifford (Westmorland 1605). Since 1967, when Mrs Dent-Brocklehurst was appointed in Gloucestershire, ladies have served in increasing numbers.
The collection and rendering of tax to the Exchequer remained a major task of Sheriffs, and, although it reduced after the 16th century, it was still a significant and unpopular burden, as shown by the difficulties they had collecting the doomed ship money for Charles I. Another unpalatable duty was the witnessing of the death penalty, which Sheriffs had to ensure was performed properly until its abolition in 1965.
Raising the posse comitatus was activated last in 1830 when Oxfordshire's High Sheriff subdued an insurrection against an enclosure award. In theory this can still be raised, and as recently as the two World Wars, High Sheriffs' powers to mobilise the posse comitatus were re-invoked in case of an emergency, fulfilling their duty to defend the realm against the King's enemies. Over the centuries, however, their responsibilities reduced as a centrally controlled public services grew.
Most former shrieval duties are now vested in Lord Lieutenants (appointed by Henry VIII to control military matters as The Sovereign's representatives in their counties), High Court Judges, Coroners, Magistrates and Local Authorities. By a decision of King Edward VII in 1908, High Sheriffs take second place in their counties after Lord Lieutenants (but deferring to Lord Mayors, Mayors and local authority Chairmen on civic occasions in their Districts).