Introducing...
The Sheriff of Lichfield 2024-2025
Cathy Wood
History
Lichfield was made a separate county from Staffordshire by Queen Mary's Charter of 1553, bringing with it the right to appoint its own Sheriff. The Sheriff
The Sheriff was responsible for keeping the prison and all parts therein, including the gallows, neck collars, chain and shackles. The first appointed Sheriff of Lichfield was Gregorie Stonynge who was also the first Senior Bailiff (Mayor) appointed under the Charter of Edward VI.
In 1611 the Sheriff was present at the trial and subsequent burning at the stake of Edward Wightman, the last person to be burnt alive for heresy in England.
From the first office of sheriff until the 14th century, the sheriff supervised Lichfield’s ‘Frankpledge’ (a system of law enforcement in which all but the highest ranking members of society were mutually responsible for the behaviour of their peers). This ancient ceremony is still celebrated today by the people of Lichfield who are keen to retain the town's cultural heritage.
The Sheriff of Lichfield was appointed by the Burgesses and not directly by the Crown. In more recent times that right was given to the City Council. Prior to 1972 cities with a Shrievalty were referred to as the ‘City and County of…’ and were known as ‘Counties Corporate’ but this system was abolished by the 1972 Local Government Act and the role of sheriff in Lichfield became largely ceremonial.
The Sheriff's Chain
CIVIC REGALIA, CHAIN OF OFFICE
The Badge Pendant is 18ct gold with an enamel centre with enamelled Coat of Arms. Applique 40mm x 25mm shield, ten blue cabochons, lettered ‘LICHFIELD’ and one Maltese cross on circle surround, 45mm, and laurel leaves, maroon enamel ground ribbon – 1895, on crossed faces and mace in relief, castellated coronet finial to a hook bail
Reverse of Pendant is engraved: ‘Presented to the corporation of Lichfield by S.L. Seckham J.P + D.L
A citizen of Lichfield … W.R Coleridge Roberts
Sheriff 1895 (and the first sheriff to wear it)
Hallmarked 18ct gold, Birmingham 1895, makers mark ‘T&JB’, approximate gross weight 144.7 grams.
Chain of Office: 18ct gold, centre pendant bail, domed centre, enamelled Lion Rampant crest, ribbon motto surmount, castellated coronet finial, ‘UT DUCAM SPERO’, ten Staffordshire knot links; fleur de lys connecting links, to alternate links, bearing the letters ‘LICHFIELD’.
Engraved on each reverse link; names of Sheriffs 1895 – 1935. Hallmarked 18ct gold, Birmingham (no date), makers mark ‘T&J.B’, approximate gross weight 323.1 grams, together with original leather fitted leather case which has two extra ribbons to support the badge in a blue and a black, box printed with ‘City of Lichfield Sheriff’
Made by Birmingham Goldsmiths T. & J. Bragg
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Portrait photograph of Samuel Lipscomb Seckham. Further information about the Lichfield dignatory can be found by clikcing on the following links:
Customs and Traditions
The City of Lichfield values its history and so maintains the ‘Court of St George’, which is held on St Georges Day. This is the Court Leet and the View of Frankpledge, when the Mayor and the City Council become Lords of the Manor. The Sheriff attends in support of the Mayor and the Barony of Lichfield. There is a presentation of reports at each of the City Wards and from the Pinner and Ale Tasters, all conducted in a light-hearted manner.
The Sheriff also attends the ‘Court of Arraye’ or ‘View of Men at Arms’ which takes place at the Spring Bank Holiday. This Court is now only ceremonial but has taken place in an unbroken line for over 1000 years.
But perhaps the most notable tradition is the annual 'Sheriff's Ride'
The Sheriff's Ride
Sheriff of Lichfield 2010-2011 Cllr Colin Greatorex, leads the Sheriff's ride with his wife Donna – both having learnt to ride especially for the occasion.
Lichfield’s unique ceremonial ‘Sheriff’s Ride’ is a much celebrated annual event. The tradition originates from Queen Mary Tudor’s Charter in 1553 which separated Lichfield from the rest of the county of Staffordshire, thus giving it city and county status in its own right and bestowing upon it a Sheriff. The Charter included a command that the Sheriff "perambulate the new County and City annually on the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary".
Over the years the ride has waxed and waned and developed various additions and customs. Today, holding true to custom, the Sheriff (not always on horseback!) commences the Ride at Guildhall at 10:30am, and followed by a retinue of about 50 riders, commences a route of around 20 miles around the City's boundary. The northern and eastern boundaries are covered in the morning, arriving in the grounds of a country manor for lunch, joined by the High Sheriff and other Civic Heads.
After lunch the Sheriff’s Ride is resumed, completing the circuit of the boundary, stopping for tea then returning to the City centre. The Sheriff and riders are met by the Sword and Mace Bearers and, with great ceremony, escorted to the Cathedral where they are greeted by the Dean, before returning to the Guildhall.
![Omani Shield [1594].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7f8efc_297fbc7b0e1342afa30effd194ee5447~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_449,h_635,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Omani%20Shield%20%5B1594%5D.jpg)
Robert Yardley, Sheriff of Lichfield 2016-2017 with Consort Jayne Marks at Chester, 2021. (thanks to Robert, as a professional photographer for so many photographs on this page and the whole website)
The Sheriffs' Association of Lichfield added a tree to the National Memorial Arboretum to celebrate the Conference and AGM held in Lichfield in 2008.
The Sheriff's Association in Lichfield has a strong membership. Past Sheriffs with Consorts at Chester 2021 with present Sheriff Peter Hitchman.
![113[1590].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7f8efc_aaff955b2a8149a787deb41a09bc730b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_504,h_336,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/113%5B1590%5D.jpg)
Sheriffs of Lichfield
Michael Mullarkey, Sheriff
of Lichfield 2018-2019
Year Sheriff
1983 Kathryn Duncan Brown
1984 Nicholas Sedgwick
1985 James Hopping
1986 Elise Beedle
1987 Marjorie Simmonds
1988 George Kemp
1989 Antony Thompson
1990 Terence Finn
1991 John Mercer
1992 Malcolm Knight
993 David Bailey
1994 Robert White
1995 Margaret Barratt
1996 Peter Barrett
1997 Kenneth Edwards
1998 Michael Bennett
1999 John Haggett
2000 Doris English
2001 Mark Warfield
2002 Barry Diggle
2003 Janet Eagland
Year Sheriff
2004 John Rackham
2005 John Smith
2006 Gwyneth Boyle
2007 Terence Thomas
2008 Norma Bacon
2009 Simon Price
2010 Colin Greatorex
2011 Neville Brown
2012 Brian Bacon
2013 Terence Thomas
2014 Bob Awty
2015 Mike Sheldon
2016 Robert Yardley
2017 Andrew Smith
2018 Michael Mullarkey
2019 Daryl Brown
2020 Daryl Brown
2021 Peter Hitchman
2022 Janice Greaves
2023 Adam Burns-Mace
2024 Cathy Wood
Sheriff of Lichfield 2019-2021
Daryl Brown
Sheriff of Lichfield 2018-2019
Michael Mullarkey