The High Sheriff of Devon is the Queen's representative for the County of Devon, a territory known as his/her bailiwick. Selected from three nominated people, they hold his office over the duration of a year. They have judicial, ceremonial and administrative functions and executes High Court Writs. The office historically was "Sheriff of Devon", changed in 1974 to "High Sheriff of Devon".
The office of Sheriff is the oldest under the crown. It is over 1000 years old, with its establishment before the Norman Conquest. It remained first in precedence in the counties, until the reign of Edward VII, when an Order in Council in 1908 gave the Lord-Lieutenant the prime office under the Crown as the Sovereign's personal representative. Under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972, on 1 April 1974 the office previously known as Sheriff was retitled High Sheriff. The High Sheriff remains the Sovereign's representative in the County for all matters relating to the Judiciary and the maintenance of law and order.
Heche1068–1096: Baldwin de Moeles (or de Brionne) 1135–1137: Richard filius Baldwin (Richard fitz Baldwin)1137–1142: Adelise (Alice) - wife of Richard fitz Baldwin1142: Adelise (Alice)1154–1157: Richard de Redvers, 2nd Earl of Devon1157–1160: William de Boterellis1161–1167: Hugh de Ralegh1167–1172: Robert filius Bernardi1173–1174: Reginald de Dunstanville, 1st Earl of Cornwall1175: William Rufus1177–1179: Hugh de Gundevilla1179–1189: William Briewere1193–1195: Sir Richard Reynolds with Henry de Furneaux1195–1197: Henry de Furneaux1198: William of Wrotham jointly with Torrington.1198 John de Torrington jointly with Wrotham1199: Hugh Bardulf1200: William Briewere1200: Ralph Morin1202–1208: William Briewere with Ralph de Mora1209–1215: Robert de Veteri Ponte replaced by Eudo de Bello Campo1215: Henry de la Pomeray1215: Robert de Erlegh1217: William, Earl of Salisbury1218: Robert de Alba Mara1218: Robert de Curtenai1222: Walter le Poer1224: William Brewer the younger/ Roger de Langeford1225: William de Ralega1228: Roger la Zouch1229: Adam de Cerne1230: Ranulph de Cerne1231: Thomas de Cyrencestria/ Thomas de la Wyle1232: Thomas de la Wyle1233: Robert de Vallibus, Richard de Langeford1234: Peter de Russell1234: Nicholas de Moels1236–1249: Walter of Bath1250–1251: Walter of Bathond1252/4/7: Ralph de Willington (of Umberleigh) (Rad(olf)us de Wilton). Sheriff in 39 Henry III (1254) per Risdon, 42 Henry III(1257) per Burke.1253–1255: William of Englefeurd1256–1257: Gerald de Horton and Henry de Horton (son of Gerald)1258–1259: William de Curcensay1260–1261: Rad'us Lodescomb1262–1269: Rad'us de Esse1270: William de Bikels1272–1273: Thomas Delpin1276: Matthew de Eggleshill1277: Thomas Delpin1278–1279: Warenus de Sechevile1280–1285: Thomas Delpin1286: William de Munketun and Roger de Ingepen1287: Robert de Wodton1288–1291: Matthew son of John1292: Matthew and Thomas1293–1301: Gilbert de Knovill