High Steward of Sutton Coldfield explained

The High Steward of Sutton Coldfield was an office relating to the government of the town of Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire, England.

History

Prior to the Royal Charter of 1528 Walter Devereux, Lord Ferrers of Chartley held the office of High Steward under the Crown. He also held office as Bailiff of the Manor, Keeper of the Rolls and Keeper of Coldfield Walk. The salaries for these posts, under a grant of 1525, were to be paid at the rate of £16 a year to him and his son Henry for life.

On the granting of the Charter the town was to be held by a Warden and Society (roughly equivalent to Mayor and Corporation) and the inhabitants of the town. The Charter granted the right to appoint a High Steward, although this right was not exercised until 1547. The High Stewards were appointed for life and were to be entitled to a Deputy to assist in the duty of holding courts. At least in the 16th century, the High Steward was expected to have a knowledge of English law; but the role soon became symbolic and the duties largely ceremonial, and latterly the work was done entirely by Deputies.

The High Stewards were all persons of standing and mostly members of aristocratic Warwickshire and Staffordshire families.

In 1974 the Corporation of Sutton Coldfield merged with that of Birmingham and the office of High Steward became extinct.

List of High Stewards

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High StewardTerm of officeOther Peerage(s)Monarch
Sir John Throckmorton

1547

1580
Sir Henry Goodere

1582

1595
Sir Richard Repington

1595

1611
Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex

1612

1646
Sir Richard Newdigate

1646

1678
Baronetcy from 24 July 1677
Sir Thomas Thynne

1679

1714
Viscount Weymouth from 11 December 1682
Thomas Willoughby, 1st Baron Middleton

1714

1729
Francis Willoughby, 2nd Baron Middleton

1729

1758
Francis Willoughby, 3rd Baron Middleton

1758

1774
Thomas Willoughby, 4th Baron Middleton

1774

1781
Thomas Thynne, 3rd Viscount Weymouth

1781

1796
Marquess of Bath from 18 August 1789
Heneage Finch, 4th Earl of Aylesford

1796

1812
Henry Willoughby, 6th Baron Middleton

1812

1835
Heneage Finch, 5th Earl of Aylesford

1835

1859
William Henry Leigh, 2nd Baron Leigh

1859

1905
Sir John Benjamin Stone

1905

1914
Vacant 1914–1925
Sir Francis Newdegate

1925

1936
Sir Henry Ramsay Cameron Fairfax-Lucy, Bt.

1936

1944
Vacant 1944–1951
Rupert Leigh, 4th Baron Leigh

1951

1974