Geography, originally signified the territory of a count or earl, but now it is used in the same sense with shire; the one word coming from the French, the other from the Saxon.—In this view, a county is a circuit or portion of the realm; into fifty-two of which the whole land, England and Wales, is divided for its better government and the more easy administration of justice.

For the execution of the laws in the several counties, excepting Cumberland, Westmoreland, and Durham, every Michaelmas term officers are appointed, under the denomination of sheriffs. Other officers of the several counties are, a lord lieutenant, who has the command of the militia of the county; custodes rotulorum, justices of peace, bailiffs, high-constable, and coroner.

Of the fifty-two counties, there are three of special note, which are therefore termed counties palatine, as Lancaster, Chester, and Durham. See PALATINE.

Country-Corporate, is a title given to several cities, or ancient boroughs, on which our monarchs have thought fit to bestow extraordinary privileges; annexing to them a particular territory, land, or jurisdiction; and making them counties of themselves, to be governed by their own sheriffs and magistrates.

Country Court, in English Law, a court incident to the jurisdiction of the sheriff. It is not a court of record, but may hold pleas of debt or damages under the value of 40s. Over some of which causes these inferior courts have, by the express words of the statute of Gloucester, a jurisdiction totally exclusive of the king's superior courts. For in order to be entitled to sue an action of trespass for goods before the king's justiciars, the plaintiff is directed to make affidavit that the cause of action does really and bona fide amount to 40s., which affidavit is now unaccountably disused, except in the court of exchequer. The statute