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 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 High Steward's 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, 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 |