High Sheriff of Berkshire

The High Sheriff of Berkshire, in common with other counties, was originally the King's representative on taxation upholding the law in Saxon times. The word Sheriff evolved from 'shire-reeve'.

The title of High Sheriff is therefore much older than the other crown appointment, the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, which came about after 1545. Between 1248 and 1566 Berkshire and Oxfordshire formed a joint shrievalty (apart from a brief period in 1258/9). See High Sheriff of Oxfordshire.

Unlike the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, which is generally held from appointment until the holder's death or incapacity, the title of High Sheriff is appointed / reappointed annually. The High Sheriff is assisted by an Under-Sheriff of Berkshire.

List of High Sheriffs of Berkshire

• Before 1066: Godric, first recorded Sheriff of Berkshire (killed 1066)
• Soon after 1066 Froger
• after 1066 Henry de Ferrers
• 1071: Robert D'Oyly
• 1086: Aiulf
• 1094: Gilbert de Bretville
• 1097: Hugh of Buckland
• 1105: Aubrey de Vere
• 1110: Hugh of Buckland
• 1112: Alfred
• 1118: Ralph
• 1119: William de Buckland
• 1126: John Belet
• 1126: Baldwin FitzClarus
• 1129: Anselm, Vicount of Rouen
• 1130: William de Pont de l'Arche
• 1153: Henry de Oxford
• 1154: Jordan de Podiis
• 1154: Henry de Oxford
• 1155: Richard de Camville
• 1156: Adam the Sheriff (probably Adam de Catmore)Catmore
• 1157: Gilbert de Pinkney
• 1160: Adam de Catmore
• 1170: Hugh de Buckland
• 1176: Hugh de St German
• 1186-1189 Roger......
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