The High Sheriffs of Devon, From the Conquest to 1472

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        What follows is a comparison of the list of the High Sheriffs of Devon compiled by Tristram Risdon in his "Survey of the County Devon", 1630, with what is considered the definitive list, compiled and published by the National Archives (formerly the Public Record Office ). The National Archives list is to be found in the "Lists of High Sheriffs", contained in the "Lists and Indexes, Vol. IX". It was first compiled in the 1890s and updated in the 1960s. Tristram Risdon (b. 1580 d. 1640) was a Devon antiquarian who wrote several books on Devon history and geography.

        There are many discrepancies between the two lists. Mr. Henry Summerson, of the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography and author of "The Crown Pleas of Devon Eyre, 1238", writes that Risdon..." simply wasn't equipped to get that sort of thing right (a shortcoming he shared with many of his antiquarian contemporaries), he wasn't careless or an inaccurate transcriber, as far as I can tell, and in that respect he was certainly better than Izacke, who copied much of his material from John Hooker and mangled it in the process." 

        The significance to our Bath, Bathe, de Bathe family name study lies in the absence from the Archive's list of three out of the four Walter de Bathons ascribed by Risdon as being High Sheriffs; in 1216 to 1219, 1290 and 1324. The former error has been identified as coming from a misdated contemporary record. Mr. Summerson identified this record as actually pertaining to the later Walter de Bathonia, High Sheriff from 1236 to 1251. From where Risdon derived his latter two entries is unknown. Did they perform some functions as sub-sheriff ? Did they exist at all ? There was certainly a Walter on the 1316 Parliamentary Rolls. The secondary sources reporting these individuals, particularly John Prince, apparently based their information on Risdon's work. In defense of Risdon's work we submit one of many examples from the lists, this one from the the reign of Edward III:

            The name of Ralegh (Raleigh) is well known, the Ralce surname does not exist. The village of Charney exists in the county of Berkshire, whereas there is no known place as Charles in England. By this we do not mean to denigrate, or refute the Archive's list, but it would appear that in this case, as in others, that Risdon got it right whilst the 1890 scholars simply recorded what they saw without question. One may also question the multiple individuals often ascribed to single years in the Archives list, some within a few days of each other. However, we are not in a position to pass judgment on either list.

       The High Sheriffs were appointed by the king and were the king’s representative in their county of jurisdiction. As such their powers were wide and often arbitrary. Their primary functions were those of chief law enforcement officer and tax collector, as well they were responsible for the security of the itinerant justices and raising armed forces for the King. As tax collector, each Easter and Michaelmas (21 March, 29 September) the Sheriffs were required to appear before the officers of the Exchequer and render their accounts for the previous period. The sums owed were negotiable and the difference between what they collected and what they turned over to the Exchequer went into their own pockets. As well, the Sheriff was housed and maintained by the royal castles and manors.  The appointed High Sheriff did not always assume the role in person. He could in turn appoint a sub-sheriff as Nicholas de Molis (Mules) did with Walter de Bathon (Bada) in 1234-5. De Mules was apparently involved in some of Henry III's diplomatic efforts at the time and when asked why his accounts were late replied that he knew nothing of them having left everything in the hands of Walter. Richard, Duke of Cornwall, brother to Henry III and the Elected Holy Roman Emperor is also unlikely to have performed the duties during his shrievalty in 1270.

           From the time of the conquest until the reign of Henry II (1154-1189) the Sheriffs were mostly appointed for life.       Risdon writes of this period ; "William Duke of Normandy, after his conquest over England, made that famous knight Baldwin de Brioniius, hereditary sheriff of Devon, who held the same his life., and the like did Richard his son; after him Adeliza, the sister of Richard , and daughter of Baldwin, held the same place, and stiled herself Vice-commitissa Devon. After the death of Adeliza, or Alice, king Henry II, placed the sheriffs which were as hereafter followeth:" The Archives list gives the following, some of which is written by hand, probably from the 1960's update (in blue font):

                                T.R.E.       Heche (Exon Domesday p. 301)

                                                   Baldwin of Exeter (Domesday pp. 100, 105b)

                                T.R.W.       William filius Baldwini

                                                   Richard filius Baldwini

              1129 and earlier        Geoffrey de Furnellis

                                1135-7        Richard filius Baldwini (Monasticon,v,378)

                                1137-42      Adelise                             (  "                "           )

                                 1142 -?      Alice                                 (  "                 "          )

              From Henry II onwards the sheriffs were normally changed or renewed on a yearly basis.