2006-08-06 23:58:21 · 5 answers · asked by Jon B 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
A shire is an administrative area. The first shires were created by the Anglo-Saxons in what is now central and southern England. Shires were controlled by a royal official known as a "shire reeve" or sheriff. Historically shires were sub-divided into hundreds or wapentakes although other less common sub-divisions existed. In modern English usage shires are sub-divided into districts.
They're equivalent to counties, and the counties which still have "shire" on the end are just old ones.
2006-08-07 00:05:26 · answer #1 · answered by Azrael 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A shire is an administrative area of Great Britain and Australia. The first shires were created by the Anglo-Saxons in what is now central and southern England. Shires were controlled by a royal official known as a "shire reeve" or sheriff. Historically shires were sub-divided into hundreds or wapentakes although other less common sub-divisions existed. In modern English usage shires are sub-divided into districts.
2006-08-07 07:06:50 · answer #2 · answered by onlyafewwillknow 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shire means county. It comes from Old English.
2006-08-07 07:06:38 · answer #3 · answered by ajkep 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shire refers to all of the little villages and surrounding areas of the big city. So Derbyshire covers Derby and all the little villages and areas around it!
2006-08-07 07:15:27 · answer #4 · answered by titaniahalfpint 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OI
2006-08-07 07:36:52 · answer #5 · answered by BIRILO 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋