sheriffry

Hugh Beringar was one man, of independent mind and a strong attachment to justice, but the officers of the sheriffry of Shropshire were a very different matter, looking for their lead rather to Gilbert Prestcote, understandably enough, since Prestcote was King Stephen's official representative in these parts; and Prestcote's justice would be sharper, shorter-sighted, content with a brisk and tidy ending.

Monk's Hood Peters, Ellis, 1913- 1992