The system of shires which was later to form the basis of local administration throughout England (and eventually, Ireland, Wales and Scotland as well) originated in Wessex, and had been established by the mid-8th century.
Shire'ide süsteem, millest hiljem moodustus kohaliku halduse alus kogu Inglismaal (ja lõpuks ka Iirimaal, Walesis ja Šotimaal), sai alguse Wessexis ja loodi 8. sajandi keskpaigaks.