High Sheriff of Somerset
Encyclopedia
The Office of High Sheriff of Somerset is an ancient High Sheriff
title which has been in existence for over one thousand years. The position was once a powerful position responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing law and order in Somerset
a county
in South West England
. In modern times the sheriff has become a ceremonial role, presiding over public ceremonies. Until 1567 the High Sheriff of Somerset was also the High Sheriff of Dorset
.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the high sheriff is theoretically the Sovereign's judicial representative in the county, while the Lord Lieutenant
is the Sovereign's personal representative. Their jurisdictions, the "shrieval counties", are no longer co-terminous with administrative areas, representing a mix between the ancient counties
and more recent local authority areas. The post is unpaid (except for a nominal court attendance allowance), and the general expenses of the office are borne personally by the holder. Eligibility for nomination and appointment of High Sheriff is controlled by the Sheriff’s Act of 1887.
High Sheriff
A high sheriff is, or was, a law enforcement officer in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.In England and Wales, the office is unpaid and partly ceremonial, appointed by the Crown through a warrant from the Privy Council. In Cornwall, the High Sheriff is appointed by the Duke of...
title which has been in existence for over one thousand years. The position was once a powerful position responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing law and order in Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
a county
Counties of England
Counties of England are areas used for the purposes of administrative, geographical and political demarcation. For administrative purposes, England outside Greater London and the Isles of Scilly is divided into 83 counties. The counties may consist of a single district or be divided into several...
in South West England
South West England
South West England is one of the regions of England defined by the Government of the United Kingdom for statistical and other purposes. It is the largest such region in area, covering and comprising Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. ...
. In modern times the sheriff has become a ceremonial role, presiding over public ceremonies. Until 1567 the High Sheriff of Somerset was also the High Sheriff of Dorset
High Sheriff of Dorset
The High Sheriff of Dorset is an ancient High Sheriff title which has been in existence for over one thousand years. The position was once a powerful position responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing law and order in Dorset. In modern times the sheriff has become a ceremonial role, presiding...
.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the high sheriff is theoretically the Sovereign's judicial representative in the county, while the Lord Lieutenant
Lord Lieutenant
The title Lord Lieutenant is given to the British monarch's personal representatives in the United Kingdom, usually in a county or similar circumscription, with varying tasks throughout history. Usually a retired local notable, senior military officer, peer or business person is given the post...
is the Sovereign's personal representative. Their jurisdictions, the "shrieval counties", are no longer co-terminous with administrative areas, representing a mix between the ancient counties
Counties of the United Kingdom
The counties of the United Kingdom are subnational divisions of the United Kingdom, used for the purposes of administrative, geographical and political demarcation. By the Middle Ages counties had become established as a unit of local government, at least in England. By the early 17th century all...
and more recent local authority areas. The post is unpaid (except for a nominal court attendance allowance), and the general expenses of the office are borne personally by the holder. Eligibility for nomination and appointment of High Sheriff is controlled by the Sheriff’s Act of 1887.
High Sheriffs of Somerset
- c1061 Godwine
- 1066-1068 Tovid or Tofig
- 1083-1086 William de MoyonWilliam de MoyonWilliam de Moyon or William de Moion was seigneur of Moyon and Sheriff of Somerset in 1086. William is mentioned in the Domesday Book where he is shown to control a large number of manors in Somerset centred on Dunster Castle. Manors he controlled included Minehead, West Quantoxhead and Combe...
11th and 12th century
13th century
14th century
15th century
16th century
16th and 17th century
18th century
19th Century
20th Century
21st Century
- 2000: Angela Betty Yeoman
- 2001: Thomas Hugh Ruscombe Poole
- 2002: Robert Ian Hoddell
- 2003: Brian Michael Tanner
- 2004: Sandy Evans
- 2005: Fiona Densham
- 2006: Alastair Ian Hayward Fyfe
- 2007: David John Medlock
- 2008: Anne Caroline Maw
- 2009: John Alvis
- 2010: Pat Hunt
- 2011: John Cullum