The Sheriff was originally the principal law enforcement officer in the county and presided at the Assizes and other important county meetings.
Most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred elsewhere or are now defunct, so that its functions are now largely ceremonial.
There was a single Sheriff serving the two counties of Norfolk and Suffolk until 1576.
[1] On 1 April 1974, under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972, the title of Sheriff of Suffolk was retitled High Sheriff of Suffolk.
[2] [38] High Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk