High Steward of Sutton Coldfield

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
Year Name
1547 Sir John Throckmorton
1582 Henry Goodere
1595 Sir Richard Repington
1612 The 3rd Earl of Essex
1646 Sir Richard Newdigate [1]
1679 Sir Thomas Thynne [2]
1714 The 1st Baron Middleton
1729 The 2nd Baron Middleton
1758 The 3rd Baron Middleton
1774 The 4th Baron Middleton
1781 The 3rd Viscount Weymouth [3]
1796 Heneage Finch, Lord Guernsey [4]
1812 The 6th Baron Middleton
1835 The 5th Earl of Aylesford
1859 The 2nd Baron Leigh
1905 Sir John Benjamin Stone
1925 Sir Francis Newdegate
1936 Sir Henry Ramsay Cameron Fairfax-Lucy
1944 Vacant
1951 The 4th Baron Leigh

References
  1. From 24 July 1677 Sir Richard Newdigate, 1st Baronet
  2. From 11 December 1682 1st Viscount Weymouth
  3. From 18 August 1789 1st Marquess of Bath
  4. From 9 May 1777 4th Earl of Aylesford
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