Sheriff of Exeter

The Sheriff of Exeter was an official of Exeter, Devon, and as sheriff was responsible for keeping the King's peace (pax regis) within the city.The position was granted when Henry VIII conferred county status on the city in 1537, and the position continued until abolished in 1974 by the Courts Act 1971 and Local Government Act 1972.The right to a sheriff was conferred along with county status to Exeter in 1537 by Henry VIII,[1] previously having fallen under the Sheriff of Devon.[2] The sheriff was responsible for law enforcement, including the policing of the city, arranging for court assizes sessions to be held, and to attend the hanging of condemned prisoners.[2] Following the passage of the Courts Act 1971, the judicial functions of the office were removed, making the position purely ceremonial, but this was short lived with the Local Government Act 1972 removing the ceremonial role as well.
Exetersheriffthe King's peaceHenry VIIICourts Act 1971Local Government Act 1972Sheriff of DevonassizeshangingMayor of ExeterSir Walter de SweynthillJohn TuckfieldEdward BridgemanNicholas HilliardJohn PeryamGeorge SmithIgnatius JordainThomas BlackallRobert PopleRowland Glave SaundersJohn Geoffrey Rowe Orchard