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Dates
Established at some point after the foundation of the Shire in III 1601; survived into the Fourth Age
Race
Hobbits
Culture
Shire-hobbits
Settlements
During the War of the Ring, Shirriff-houses were established across the Shire, including one at Frogmorton in the Eastfarthing; these were later demolished
Pronunciation
shi'rriffs
Meaning
From Old English scirgerefa ('Shire-reeve' or 'Shire-steward')1

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About this entry:

  • Updated 22 November 2015
  • Updates planned: 1

Shirriffs

The Shire's 'police'

The title given to those who kept order in the Shire, somewhat akin to a 'police force'. Normally few in number, the Shirriffs were greatly increased during the time of the War of the Ring.


Notes

1

In Anglo-Saxon England, a gerefa was a royal representative or official, and so a scirgerefa was the representative of the King within a shire. This word survives into modern English, though more usually spelt 'sheriff', and with a considerably modified meaning. Perhaps the best known historical example is the Sheriff of Nottingham in the stories of Robin Hood: his title made him the administrator of the shire of Nottingham under the King of England.

See also...

Bounders, Chief Shirriff, Cock-robin, Deputy Mayor, First Eastfarthing Troop, First Shirriff, Frogmorton, Hob Hayward, Lotho Sackville-Baggins, Messenger Service, Robin ‘Cock-robin’ Smallburrow, Shire-moot, Shirriff-houses, The Rules, The Watch, [See the full list...]

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 22 November 2015
  • Updates planned: 1

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