There are several types of shires in England, including:
The shires were first established by King Alfred of Wessex in the late 9th century as a way to organize the kingdom's military and administrative divisions. The term "shire" is derived from the Old English word "scīr," meaning "district" or "region." Over time, the shires evolved to become the primary units of local government, with each shire having its own council, known as the county council.