SHRIEVALTY

Noun

shrievalty (plural shrievalties)

The office, jurisdiction, or tenure of a sheriff

Synonyms

• sheriffalty

Source: Wiktionary

Shriev"al*ty, n. Etym: [Contr. from sheriffalty. See Shrieve, n. Sheriff.]

Definition: The office, or sphere of jurisdiction, of a sheriff; sheriffalty. It was ordained by 28 Edward I that the people shall have election of sheriff in every shire where the shrievalty is not of inheritance. Blackstone.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition