Foud

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From the fifteenth century until 1577 the main royal official in Shetland was the foud. His jurisdiction was the 'foudry' of Shetland. He was a sheriff and chamberlain: he presided over the lawthing and collected taxes, and tolls from foreign merchants. Lord Robert Stewart appointed his half-brother Laurence Bruce to the office in 1571. Bruce abused his position and was removed, briefly; when he was rehabilitated he and his successors called themselves sheriffs depute.

The term is derived from Old Norse Foged, and although now spelled Fogd, is still used in Norway.