high steward (civic)
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High steward is an honorary title bestowed by the councils or charter trustees of certain towns and cities in England. Originally a judicial office with considerable local powers, by the 17th century it had declined to a largely ceremonial role. The title is usually awarded for life, and in some cases has become associated with a particular peerage title. As of 2007 twenty-four communities have the right to confer the status of high steward, although the office is in abeyance in a number of these.
Origins
Originating in the Middle Ages, the office holder originally oversaw the administration of borough courts on behalf of the lord of the manor. As towns emerged from manorial control to become chartered boroughs governed by corporations, the new governing bodies were given the right to appoint the steward in lieu of the lord.{{Cite book|title=English local government, from the Revolution to the Municipal Corporations Act |volume=3: The Manor and the Borough part 2 |last1=Webb |first1=Sidney |authorlink1=Sidney Webb, 1st Baron Passfield |last2=Webb |first2=Beatrice |authorlink2=Beatrice Webb |year=1906 |publisher=Longmans Green |location=London |pages=321–322 |url=https://archive.org/details/englishlocalgove02webbuoft |accessdate=14 July 2010}}{{Cite book|title=The Reformation and the towns in England: politics and political culture, c. 1540–1640|last=Tittler |first=Robert |year=1998 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=0-19-820718-2 |pages=231–235 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZeqXdACMpb0C&pg=PA231|quote=..they seem to occur with some regularity in the more developed towns only around the 1520s and 1530s when we find high stewards for, for example Cambridge and Bristol, Exeter, Dorchester, Plymouth and Oxford}} These stewardships were often instruments of patronage, with prominent courtiers obtaining charters for boroughs which in turn named them as steward. Boroughs also returned members to the House of Commons, and in many the steward was able to use his influence to effectively obtain the election of his own nominee.{{Cite book|title=Urban patronage in early modern England: corporate boroughs, the landed elite, and the crown, 1580–1640 |last=Patterson |first=Catherine F |year=1999 |publisher=Stanford University Press |isbn=978-0-8047-3587-2 |pages=171–172 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xJx74OHrBfEC&pg=PA172}}
Over time the legal aspects of the office passed to a deputy: a qualified lawyer eventually given the distinct title of recorder. By 1689, the High Steward (in some boroughs known as Chief Steward, Capital Seneschal or Lord High Steward) had a purely honorary role. Sidney and Beatrice Webb summarised this as follows:
His appointment might rest with the Crown, or with the Governing Council or Close Body of the Corporation, sometimes subject to the approval of the Crown. ...an officer of great dignity and some influence, but with practically no duties or emoluments; usually a gentleman of high position, perhaps the owner or the patron of the Borough
Municipal and local government reform
In January 1836 the close corporations of boroughs were replaced by elected town councils under the Municipal Corporations Act 1835. The act provided that the provisions of existing charters, where they were not inconsistent with the legislation, were to remain in force. Many of the new councils had Whig and Radical majorities in place of the former Tory corporations. The appointments of stewards by the close corporations had sometimes proved controversial. For example, in 1833, the corporation of Kingston upon Hull nominated the Duke of Wellington, former Tory prime minister, to the office of High Steward. Following uproar among the townspeople, the Duke declined the office, which remained vacant. In 1836 the reformed town council instead appointed the Earl of Durham, a prominent Whig politician, to the post.{{Cite book|title=A History of Kingston on Hull|year=1892|url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/ERY/Hull/HullHistory/HullHistory5.html|accessdate=28 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806042747/http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/ERY/Hull/HullHistory/HullHistory5.html|archive-date=6 August 2010|url-status=dead}}
With the reform of local government in the second half of the twentieth century, municipal boroughs and their councils were abolished. This has meant that high stewards are now appointed by various successor bodies: London Boroughs, district councils, town councils or charter trustees.
List of high stewards since 1974
The following is a list of those persons who have held office as high stewards of towns or cities since the local government reforms of 1965 and 1974:
{{Incomplete list|date=September 2010}}
- Banbury: Office was in abeyance after the death of the 20th Baron Saye and Sele in 1968.{{Cite news|title=Lord Saye and Sele |newspaper=The Times |date=22 October 1968 |page=10 }} Created by charter of 1608.{{Cite web|title=Banbury, an Historic Town |publisher=Banbury Town Council |work=Banbury Town Council Official Guide |accessdate=27 August 2010 |url=http://www.localauthoritypublishing.co.uk/councils/banbury/historic.html |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610012219/http://www.localauthoritypublishing.co.uk/councils/banbury/historic.html |archivedate=10 June 2011 }} Revived in 2015 with appointment of former MP, Tony Baldry.{{Cite web|title=Sir Tony Baldry becomes High Steward of Banbury |publisher=Radio Horton |work=Banbury Town Council |date=10 March 2016 |accessdate=10 March 2016 |url=http://www.radiohorton.co.uk/news/sir-tony-baldry-high-steward-banbury }}
- Bristol (Lord High Steward): In abeyance since death of 10th Duke of Beaufort in 1984.{{Cite news|title=Court Circular |newspaper=The Times |date=9 August 1977 |page=12 }}
- Chichester: vacant
- Congleton: Office in abeyance since death of Sir Randle John Baker Wilbraham Bt in 1980.{{Cite news|title=Deaths |newspaper=The Times |date=1 May 1980 |page=18 }}
- East Retford: Eric Coupland Spencer to 1981.{{Cite news|title=Mr E. C. Spencer |newspaper=The Times |date=29 August 1981 |page=10 }} Office revived in 2007 with appointment of Derek Turner by charter trustees.{{Cite news|title=Former headteacher is new Lord High Steward |newspaper=Retford Guardian |date=14 June 2007 }}
- Gloucester: In abeyance since death of 10th Duke of Beaufort in 1984.
- Great Yarmouth: Michael Falcon CBE (since 1984){{Cite web |title=Freedom of the Borough for High Steward |publisher=Great Yarmouth Borough Council |date=1 July 2007 |url=http://www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/council-democracy/news-and-press/press-2009-july/press-20090701-632.htm |access-date=28 August 2010 |archive-date=15 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615102120/http://www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/council-democracy/news-and-press/press-2009-july/press-20090701-632.htm |url-status=dead }}
- Grimsby: Office in abeyance with death of Carl Ross in 1986. Revived in 2007 as High Steward of North East Lincolnshire.
- Guildford: Earl of Onslow{{Cite web |title=Annual Meeting |publisher=Guildford Borough Council |date=5 May 2010 |url=http://www.guildford.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=5425&p=0 |access-date=28 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614084420/http://www.guildford.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=5425&p=0 |archive-date=14 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}
- Harwich: Bill Bleakley 1979– 2007. Chris Strachan 2007– 2024.{{Cite news|title=Harwich: Ceremony To Appoint New High Steward |newspaper=Eastern Daily Gazette |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/1786870.0/ |date=25 October 2007 |author=Debbie Sigery }} Sue Daish appointed 2024.{{Cite news|title=In pictures: Harwich appoints its first ever woman High Steward |newspaper=Harwich and Manningtree Standard |url=https://www.harwichandmanningtreestandard.co.uk/news/24287073.pictures-harwich-appoints-first-ever-woman-high-steward/ |date=30 April 2024 |author=Séamus O'Hanlon }}
- Hereford: Thomas Reginald Stephens 1974–1975; F C Morgan 1975–1978; The Honourable Sir Gordon Slynn (from 1992 Gordon Slynn, Baron Slynn of Hadley) 1978–2009; Peter Temple-Morris, Baron Temple-Morris since 2009.{{Cite web|title=Chief Stewards |publisher=Hereford City Council |url=http://www.hereford.gov.uk/html/chief_stewards.html |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716182318/http://www.hereford.gov.uk/html/chief_stewards.html |archivedate=16 July 2011 }}
- Hertford: Office traditionally held by the Marquess of Salisbury since 1605.{{Cite web |title=The Coat of Arms |date=10 August 2003 |accessdate=28 August 2010 |url=http://www.hertford.gov.uk/The-Coat-of-Arms-Hertford-Town-Councils-Coat-of-Arms-4433.asp?page=4433 |publisher=Hertford Town Council |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100902212830/http://www.hertford.gov.uk/The-Coat-of-Arms-Hertford-Town-Councils-Coat-of-Arms-4433.asp?page=4433 |archive-date=2 September 2010 |url-status=dead }} The 6th Marquess died in 2003.{{Cite web|title=Salisbury, Marquess of (GB, 1789) |work=Cracroft's Peerage |date=10 August 2003 |accessdate=28 August 2010 |url=http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/online/content/index530.htm |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914045040/http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/online/content/index530.htm |archivedate=14 September 2010 }}
- Ipswich: Vice Admiral Sir Frank Mason KCB to 1988, Stuart Whiteley, CBE, QPM since 1990"Since 1557, the Borough of Ipswich has granted the Office of High Steward to twenty-four distinguished men... The power to appoint a High Steward was not granted by Royal charter, and it was not until 1665 that the person holding the office of High Steward was first referred to in a Royal charter, by King Charles II." {{Cite web |url=http://www.ipswich.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?categoryID=1001&documentID=462 |title=High Stewards of Ipswich |date=11 May 2009 |publisher=Ipswich Borough Council |accessdate=28 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227081029/http://www.ipswich.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?categoryID=1001&documentID=462 |archivedate=27 February 2012 }}
- Kingston upon Hull: Peter Mandelson appointed 2013 after post fell into abeyance 1974{{Cite web|title=Lord Mandelson picked for High Steward of Hull post |publisher=BBC News |date=7 February 2013 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-21362803 }}
- Kingston upon Thames: Lord Boyd-Carpenter to 1998; David Jacobs CBE{{Cite web |title=Governance |publisher=Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames |url=http://www.kingston.gov.uk/information/your_council/mayor/governance.htm |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013141744/http://www.kingston.gov.uk/information/your_council/mayor/governance.htm |archivedate=13 October 2008 }}
- North East Lincolnshire: 2015 Austin Mitchell former MP for Great Grimsby awarded the post. Office in abeyance following Austin Mitchell's death on 18 August 2021. (Revival of former office of High Steward of Great Grimsby){{Cite web|title=Minutes of civic honours council meeting 20 March 2008 |publisher=North East Lincolnshire Council |date=20 March 2008 |url=http://www.nelincs.gov.uk%2Fcommittees%2FFunctionsPage.aspx%3Fdsid%3D6902%26action%3DGetFileFromDB&ei=5zc_TNyTA8KK4QaDo7j0Cg&usg=AFQjCNHUzW7__7Wl0MrBzGCqeP27TWHAfw&sig2=6iiz_3NG9W_8Rya2WVSsjQ |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923150541/http://www.cmc.dk/ |archivedate=23 September 2010 }}{{Cite news|title=Ex-trawler chief gets top Grimsby office |newspaper=Fish Update |date=13 September 2007 |url=http://www.fishupdate.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/8567/ |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617025211/http://www.fishupdate.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/8567/ |archivedate=17 June 2011 }}
- Romsey: Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma 1940–1979; Norton Knatchbull 1979–2010;{{Cite web|title=Romsey Town Council Official Guide |publisher=Romsey Town Council |url=http://www.localauthoritypublishing.co.uk/councils/romsey/stay.html |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100928075451/http://www.localauthoritypublishing.co.uk/councils/romsey/stay.html |archivedate=28 September 2010 }} Penelope, Countess Mountbatten of Burma since 2010.
- Southwark: This appointment is made by the City of London Court of Aldermen and is usually given as an additional office to the Recorder of London. Currently, as from June 2020, this is HHJ Mark Lucraft QC
- Southwold: Graham R Denny JP appointed 2012
- Tewkesbury: In abeyance since death of 10th Duke of Beaufort in 1984.{{Cite news|title=The Duke of Beaufort Founder of Badminton Horse Trials |newspaper=The Times |date=6 May 1984 |page=16 }}
- Tamworth: vacant
- Wallingford: Ken Lester appointed 2015
- Wokingham: Lucy Zeal (appointed 2018) the daughter of Lady Elizabeth Godsall{{Cite news|title=They shall grow not old: War victims remembered |author=Hugh Fort |newspaper=Wokingham Times |date=15 November 2006 |url=http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2005337_they_shall_grow_not_old_war_victims_remembered }} who retired as high steward that year.
Former stewardships
In addition a number of boroughs formerly appointed stewards. The following stewardships which are no longer filled, were listed in directories of the late 19th and early 20th centuries:{{Cite book|title=Almanack for the Year of Our Lord 1897 |last=Whitaker |first=Joseph A |year=1896 |publisher=Joseph A Whitaker |location=London |pages=741–757 }}Kelly's Handbook to the Titled, Landed and Official Classes 1899Kelly's Handbook to the Titled, Landed and Official Classes 1903 Abingdon (held by the Earls of Abingdon), Barnstaple, Bewdley, Buckingham, Cambridge,{{Cite book|title=By-ways of Cambridge History |last=Keanes |first=F A |year=1947 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge |pages=21–56 }} Derby (held by the Dukes of Devonshire), Gravesend (hereditary office held by the Earls of Darnley), Huntingdon, Kidderminster, Leominster, Louth, Newbury,"This office is now become a mere honorary distinction, but there can be no doubt that at one time the High Steward was considered as a necessary check on any abuse of the royal prerogative, and as a means of communication
between the Corporate authorities and the Ministers of the Crown."{{Cite book|title=The History of the Ancient Town and Borough of Newbury in the County of Berks |last=Money |first=Walter |year=1887 |publisher=Parker & Co |location=Oxford |page=551 }} Oxford, Reading, South Molton and Stafford.
References
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Category:Ceremonial officers in England