SHERIFF’S ROLL (NEVILLE MSS.).
(See page [66].)
A sheriff formerly was the most important personage in his county, being the ambassador or representative of the Sovereign. He was appointed directly by the Crown; even at the present day the names of three county gentlemen are written down and supposed to be presented to the King, who pricks the name of the man chosen to be sheriff; but really the names follow in sequence, each out-going sheriff adding a fresh name to the list previous to his own being erased as having served his turn.
The formal deed of appointment as sheriff was a narrow parchment strip, with a fine seal attached to it; his discharge from office was a very unimportant-looking document.
The sheriff’s roll was the yearly bill of expenses incurred in the King’s name by his sheriff or representative; as a rule they are not very interesting, although here and there the names of men appointed to local offices may appear, facts which might interest the local historian; but he would have to wade through the contents of many rolls before he extracted any information worth his attention, and much time would have to be expended over such a search. These rolls are long broad strips of parchment stitched together; the upper edge is sometimes cut square, and at others cut into a point or peak.
The wording runs as follows:
‘In Magno Rotulo de anno ... Regis ... in Comitatu——’
A list of the sheriffs of England (Henry I. to fourth year of Edward III.) is to be found in the thirty-first report, page 262, of the Deputy Keeper of the Public Records. A list of sheriffs is published (Public Record Office: Lists and Indices, No. IX.). In some counties sheriff-lists with additional genealogies and notes have been compiled, giving a very good county history of the oldest families of the shire.
A royal pardon was a deed-poll with a beautiful seal attached to it. It commenced with the Sovereign’s name. The writing was exact and well executed. The deed was divided into clauses or sections, the commencing word of each being written in very clear black letters. After the word ‘Sciatis’ comes the royal license and the name of its recipient, who is forgiven ‘all rebellion and insurrection against the Crown, all homicide, felony, robbery or participation with such,’ and the pardoned subject is permitted to retain his possessions: the word ‘Perdonamus’ coming about the centre of the document. Unfortunately no information is given in the charter in any way as to the particular cause for pardon being granted or the offence committed. This can only be guessed at by the help of English history, and a probable reason be assigned from among the many disputed accessions, civil wars, religious controversies of bygone centuries, all probable sources of high treason against the Crown.