High Steward of Colchester

The position of High Steward of Colchester, Kent, was established by Charles I in 1635 by charter. The charter, naming all the officials and councillors of the Council, stipulated that:

"henceforth for ever there may be and shall be in the borough a High Steward to advise and direct the Mayor and Commonality in the chief business touching that borough which High Steward shall continue in the office of High Steward during his natural life".

The 1835 Municipal Corporation Act abolished most High Stewards and only allowed Colchester’s petition to retain a High Steward on condition that that the wording of the Charter "...advise and direct..." be reduced to merely "...advise...".

Office holders

• The Earl of Holland, who was beheaded.
• The Duke of Albermarle, who never came near the town, preferring to stay in Jamaica.
• Charles Crickitt, who fought a duel with a local clergyman.
• George Errington, a wealthy local banker who was appointed in the belief that his vast estates were sustaining the town’s bank only for it to become clear on his death that it was the other way round.
• John Gurdon Rebow, of Wivenhoe House, who used the High Stewardship to become the town’s MP.
• Cub Alport.
• Field Marshal Wavell, viceroy of India.

References

• High Stewards speech 2003