COUNTY, in geography, originally sig nified the territory of a count er earl, but now it is used in the same sense with shire. See SHIRE.
England, for the better government thereof, and the more easy administration of justice, is divided into 52 counties, each 1 whereof is subdivided into rapes, lathes, wapentakes, hundreds and these again into tythings. For the execution of the laws in the several counties, excepting Cumberland, Westmoreland, and Dur ham, every Michaelmas term officers are appointed, called sheriffs; other officers' of the several counties are, lord lieuten ants, custodes rot ulorum, justices of the peace, bailiffs, high constables, coroner, clerks of the market, &c. Of the 52 coun ties it England and Wales, there are four termed counties palatine, viz. Lancaster; Chester,Durham, and Ely. These counties are reckoned among the superior courts, and are privileged as to pleap, so that no ' inhabitant of such counties 3h all be corn pelled by any writ to appear, or answer the same except for error, and in cases of treason, &c. The counties-palatine of
Durham and Chester are by prescription, where the king's writs ought not to corn; but under the seal of the counties pala tine, unless it be a writ of proclamation. There is a court of chancery in the coun ties-palatine of Lancaster and Durham, over which there are chancellors. Scotland is divided into 33 counties, govern ment of which is committed to sheriffs. COUNTY corporate, a title given to seve, ral cities, on which the English monarchs have thought proper to bestow extraordi nary privileges, annexing to them a parti cular territory of land, or jurisdiction, as the county of Middlesex annexed to the city of London, the county of the city of York, the county of the city of Bristol, &c. COUNTY court, a court of justice, held' every month in each county, by the she riff or his deputy. See COURT.