Shire

By the 8th century when the Anglo Saxons replaced the Romans, the system of shires were introduced. Originating in Wessex, the shire system spread all over England. Each shire would be administered by a ealdorman and later by a sheriff who would be responsible to the King. After the Norman Conquest the shires became counties. Shires were generally named after their main towns i.e. York - Yorkshire, Lincoln - Lincolnshire.