The Sheriff

Queen Mary's Charter of 1553 separated Lichfield from Staffordshire, making it a separate county with the right to appoint its own Sheriff.

The first Sheriff of Lichfield was Gregorie Stonynge who was also the first Senior Bailiff (Mayor) appointed under the Charter of Edward VI. The Sheriff was responsible for keeping the prison, gallows, neck collars, chain and shackles. In 1611 the Sheriff was present at the trial and subsequent burning at the stake of Edward Wightman, the last person to be burnt alive for heresy in England.


The Sheriff was not appointed directly by the Crown, but by the burgesses and, in more recent times, the City Council. Cities with a Shrievalty were referred to as the ‘City and County of…’ and were then known as ‘Counties Corporate’

The role of the Sheriff had become largely ceremonial by the late nineteenth century, and the 1972 Local Government Act formally abolished Counties Corporate. The fifteen Cities and towns which now retain a shrievalty, of which Lichfield City is one, therefore uphold a tradition with its origins many centuries ago.

The City of Lichfield also maintains the ‘Court of St George’, which is held on St Georges Day. This is the Court Leet and the View of Frank Pledge, when the Mayor and the City Council become Lords of the Manor. The Sheriff attends in support of the Mayor and the Barony of Lichfield. There is a presentation of reports at each of the City Wards and from the Pinner and Ale Tasters, all conducted in a light-hearted manner.

The Sheriff also attends the ‘Court of Arraye’ or ‘View of Men at Arms’ which takes place at the Spring Bank Holiday. This Court is only ceremonial, but has taken place in an unbroken line for over 1000 years.

              

The Sheriff of Lichfield, Adam Burns-Mace