Sheriffs were among the most important local office-holders in early modern England. They were generalist officers of the king responsible for executing legal process, holding local courts, empanelling juries, making arrests, executing criminals, collecting royal revenue, holding parliamentary elections, and many other vital duties. Although sheriffs have a cameo role in virtually every book about early modern England, the precise nature of their work has remained something of a mystery. The Tudor Sheriff offers the first comprehensive analysis of the shrieval system between 1485 and 1603. It demonstrates that this system was not abandoned to decay in the Tudor period, but was effectively reformed to ensure its continued relevance. Jonathan McGovern shows that sheriffs were not in competition with other branches of local government, such as the Lords Lieutenant and justices of the peace, but rather cooperated effectively with them. Since the office of sheriff was closely related to every other branch of government, a study of the sheriff is also a study of English government at work.

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the shrieval system, 1485-1603, showing sheriffs to be among the most important local office-holders in early modern England, responsible for executing legal process, holding local courts, making arrests, executing criminals, collecting royal revenue, holding parliamentary elections, and many other vital duties.

The effect of national events on the power and actions of succeeding Sheriffs.

In 1382, a grand stone palatial fortress was erected at Sheriff Hutton, north of York. Over the coming centuries it would grow to become one of the largest and most illustrious royal houses in the entire north of England. Its role throughout the turbulent Wars of the Roses was crucial and has been much overlooked, when it acted as administrative headquarters to the Council of the North and seat of northern governance under King Richard III. Under the Tudors, Sheriff Hutton continued to thrive. In 1525, King Henry VIII sent his illegitimate son, Henry Fitzroy to be raised and educated there until he came of age, and a Royal Progress north during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I was intended to include Sheriff Hutton, when its captivating gardens rivalled those at Kenilworth. However, by the early 17th century, Sheriff Hutton was a ruin, a shadow of its former glory. Consequently, the history of the castle has been somewhat neglected compared to other northern fortresses. This book aims to retell the enchanting story of Sheriff Hutton Castle, throwing a new spotlight of this marginalised and fascinating fortress which deserves to remembered and celebrated for its place in English history.