An historical background of the Sheriffs

The office of Sheriff is the oldest in the City of London, first mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon laws of the 7th Century. Their predecessors were the wic-reeves and portreeves of London and Middlesex

At first, they were officers of the Crown and were named by the Barons of the Exchequer but in 1132, Henry I gave the citizens permission to choose their own Sheriffs, and the annual election of Sheriffs became fully operative under King John’s Charter of 1199. The citizens lost this privilege, as far as the election of the Sheriff of Middlesex was concerned, by the Local Government Act 1888, but the Livery members continue to elect two Sheriffs of the City of London.

Since 1585, the Sheriffs have been elected for a one-year term in office on Midsummer Day in June and they are sworn in and take office at the vigil of St. Michael the Archangel (28 September, except where this falls on a weekend).

In the early days of Newgate Prison, two Sheriffs were made responsible for the safe custody of the prisoners and their due delivery for trial. Today, the Sheriffs continue, along with the Lord Mayor, to promote and enhance the centuries old link between the City of London Corporation and the Central Criminal Court, championing the rule of law, supporting the welfare of the judiciary and promoting engagement and outreach on behalf of the Old Bailey.