This is a list of Sheriffs and, since 1998, High Sheriffs of Herefordshire
The position of Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in each county, but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred elsewhere or are now defunct, so that the Sheriff's remaining functions are now largely ceremonial. Under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972, on 1 April 1974 the office previously known as Sheriff was retitled High Sheriff. The High Sheriff changes every March.
Under the same act of 1972, Herefordshire and Worcestershire were merged to form the new county of Hereford and Worcester, and as a result the office of Sheriff of Herefordshire was replaced by that of High Sheriff of Hereford and Worcester. However, in 1998 the new county was dissolved, restoring Herefordshire and Worcestershire and creating the offices of High Sheriff of Herefordshire and High Sheriff of Worcestershire.
The Website of the High Sheriffs' Association of England and Wales stated in 2021 that the role was a "non-political Royal appointment", for one year, and unpaid.
Contents
Sheriffs
A nearly complete list of the High Sheriffs of Herefordshire from 1155 to 1647 can be found in The history of the worthies of England, Volume 1, pp. 83–94.
11th century
Ralph de Bernai
Bryning
Ilbert fitz Turold
c.1060 Osborne Fitzrichard Le Scrope
12th century
c. 1127 – Pain fitzJohn
1130 (maybe) Adam de Port
1129 – 1135: Miles of Gloucester
1136 – Pain fitzJohn
1155–1160 (2 Henry II) – Walter de Hereford, for five years (son of Miles of Gloucester)
1160–1169 (7 Henry II) – William de Bello Campo, for nine years
1169 (16 Henry II) – William de Bello Campo and Walter Clicums
1170 (17 Henry II) – Willielmus de la Lega
1171 (18 Henry II) – Gilbertus Pypard
1172 (19 Henry II) – Gilbertus Pypard
1173 (20 Henry II) – Willielmus de Braiose
1174 (21 Henry II) – Willielmus de Braiose
1175 (22 Henry II) – Radulphus Pulcherus, for seven years
1182 (29 Henry II) – Milo de Mucegros and Willielmus Torelle
1183 (30 Henry II) – Willielmus Torelle
1184 (31 Henry II) – Radulphus Arden
1185 (32 Henry II) – Radulphus Arden
1186 (33 Henry II) – Radulphus Arden
1189 (1 Richard I): Radul. de Arden
High Sheriff
1974–1997 – See High Sheriff of Hereford and Worcester