The Office of High Sheriff is at least 1,000 years old having its roots in Saxon times before the Norman Conquest.
Originally the office held many of the powers now vested in Lords-Lieutenants, High Court judges, magistrates, local authorities, coroners and even the Inland Revenue.
Appointed annually in March, 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.
There is no formal qualification other than the prospective High Sheriff must hold sufficient land within the county "to answer to the Queen and her people."
The current High Sheriff of Wiltshire is business impresario Sir Christopher Benson.
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