A title dating from the Anglo‐Saxon period when ealdormen, nobles by birth, exercised considerable powers. They were initially appointed by the crown to administer the shire system (particularly the shire moot or assembly and fyrd). By the 10th century their influence extended beyond the shire, and in the early 11th century their title evolved into ‘earl’. Under the Norman kings the senior shire official was the sheriff, and the title alderman later came to apply to those who held municipal office.