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VIscount, is either the name of one degrée or state of honour vnder an Earle or aboue a Baron, or else the name of a Ma∣gistrate and Officer of great aucthoritie whome wee commonly call (Shi∣rife) or to speake more truelis (Shire reue) and was at the first called (Shiregereue) that is to saye the kéeper of the shire, vr the reue or ruler of the Shire, for (Gereue) being deriued of the Saxon worde (Gerecean) to rule,
was first called (Gerec∣fa) and then (Gerefa) which betokeneth a ruler. And heereof commeth (Portreue or Portgreue) a name that in olde time was giuen to the head of∣ficer of a Towne, and sig∣nifieth the Ruler of the Towne for that (Porte) comming of the Latine worde Por••••s, signifieth a Port town, and (Gereue) being deriued as is afore∣saide signifieth a ruler, so that Portgereue, or as we now shorter speak it (Por∣treue) is the ruler of the towne.
And thus was the head Officer or Gouernour of the Citie of London long since (before they had the name of Maior or bailifs) called, as it doth appeare in diuers olde Monu∣ments. But chieflie in the Saxon Charter of wil∣liam Bastard the Corque∣rour, which thus begin∣neth.
William the King gr••e∣teth William the Bishop & Godfrey the Portreue, and also the▪ Citizens tha•• in London be, &c.
So also they of Ger∣manie (from whome wee and our language toge∣ther first came) call a∣monge them one gouer∣nour Burgreeue, another Margreeue, and another Landsg••ee••e, with such like &c.
Thus much is said one∣ly to shewe the right Eti∣mon and antiquitie of the woorde (Shirif) to which Officer our common Law ••ath alwaies accordingly giuen great trust and au∣thoritie, as to be a speciall preseruer of the peace. And therefore all obligations that he takes to the same end, are as Recognisances in lawe.
Hee also is a Iudge of recorde when hee holdes the Léetes or Turnes, which are Courtes of re∣corde.
Also he hath the executi∣on and returne of writtes, and impanelling of Iuries and such like &c.