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 High Steward 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 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 and 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 High StewardTerm of office Other Peerage(s) Monarch Sir John Throckmorton 1547 1580 Sir Henry Goodere 1582 1595 Sir Richard Repington 1595 1611 Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex 1612 1646 Sir Richard Newdigate 1646 1678 Baronetcy from 24 July 1677 Sir Thomas Thynne 1679 1714 Viscount Weymouth from 11 December 1682 Thomas Willoughby, 1st Baron Middleton 1714 1729 Francis Willoughby, 2nd Baron Middleton 1729 1758 Francis Willoughby, 3rd Baron Middleton 1758 1774 Thomas Willoughby, 4th Baron Middleton 1774 1781 Thomas Thynne, 3rd Viscount Weymouth 1781 1796 Marquess of Bath from 18 August 1789 Heneage Finch, 4th Earl of Aylesford 1796 1812 Henry Willoughby, 6th Baron Middleton 1812 1835 Heneage Finch, 5th Earl of Aylesford 1835 1859 William Henry Leigh, 2nd Baron Leigh 1859 1905 Sir John Benjamin Stone 1905 1914 Vacant 1914–1925 Sir Francis Newdegate 1925 1936 Sir Henry Ramsay Cameron Fairfax-Lucy, Bt. 1936 1944 Vacant 1944–1951 Rupert Leigh, 4th Baron Leigh 1951 1974
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