The History of Sheriff and Shrievalty in England and Wales

Shrievalty is a term that was historically used in England and Wales to refer to the office of a sheriff. A sheriff was a high-ranking official who was responsible for enforcing the law and maintaining order in a particular area, known as a shire or county. The sheriff was also responsible for collecting taxes, conducting elections, and overseeing the administration of justice in their jurisdiction.

Shrievalties were the territories or areas over which a sheriff had jurisdiction. These territories were typically divided into smaller units called hundreds, which were further subdivided into tithings. The sheriff was responsible for maintaining law and order within their shrievalty, and they were also responsible for collecting taxes and other revenues on behalf of the crown.

The office of sheriff dates back to the Anglo-Saxon period, and it continued to exist in some form until the 20th century. Today, the term "sheriff" is still used in some parts of the United Kingdom, such as Scotland and Northern Ireland, where it refers to a similar law enforcement officer. However, the office of sheriff has largely been replaced by modern police forces, and the term is now mostly used in a historical or ceremonial context.