Well, if its going to pour with rain on Sunday morning, as it did today, then it is much better to be inside the wonderful Minster and Priory Church of St Margaret in the heart of Kings Lynn, enjoying the High Sheriff of Norfolk’s Justice Service. I couldn’t help but take in the historic surroundings that were founded by the first Bishop of Norwich, Herbert de Losinga, in 1101.
The High Sheriff Mrs Charles Holloway, looked stunning in her ceremonial sheriff uniform, more commonly known as Court Dress. I also had the pleasure of watching various friends carry out their duties as judges, all of them looking highly distinguished whilst walking down the aisle in their full regalia and long (itchy) looking wigs.
“So what is the history behind this?”
The Office of the High Sheriff is at least one thousand years old, which makes it the oldest secular office under the Crown. The main duty of the High Sheriff is to enforce the Queen’s interest in the country. High Sheriffs are duly appointed personally by the Sovereign, declaring that they will "truly preserve the Queen’s rights ". There is an annual nomination ceremony in November in the Royal Courts of Justice, where the names for the Office are put forward, and the Sovereign, by ancient custom "pricks" the appointed name with a silver bodkin through vellum.
Throughout the service the church was filled with the sound of wonderful hymns and the National Anthem. With a chance to enjoy a well needed cup of tea, in the Town Hall afterwards.
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