Great Officers of State: Difference between revisions
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In the United Kingdom the '''Great Officers of State''' are traditional ministers of [[The Crown]] who either inherit their positions or are appointed to exercise certain largely ceremonial functions or to operate as members of the government |
In the United Kingdom the '''Great Officers of State''' are traditional ministers of [[The Crown]] who either inherit their positions or are appointed to exercise certain largely ceremonial functions or to operate as members of the government.<ref name=eb>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=State, Great Officers of|volume=25|page=801}} This cites: |
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* [[William Stubbs|Stubbs]], ''Constitutional History'', ch. xi. |
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* [[Edward Augustus Freeman|Freeman]], ''Norman Conquest'', ch. xxiv. |
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* [[Rudolf von Gneist|Gneist]], ''Constitution of England'', ch. xvi., xxv. and liv.</ref> Separate Great Officers of State exist for England and for [[Scotland]], and formerly for Ireland. Many of the Great Officers became largely ceremonial because historically they were so influential that their powers had to be resumed by the Crown or dissipated. |
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Government in all the [[medieval]] monarchies generally comprised the king's companions, later becoming the [[Royal Household]], from which the officers of state arose, initially having household and government duties. Later some of these officers split into two, in the Great Officer of the State and in the Royal Household, or were superseded by new officers or absorbed by existing officers. Many of the officers became hereditary and thus removed from practical operation of either the state or the household.<ref name=rh>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Household, Royal}} |
Government in all the [[medieval]] monarchies generally comprised the king's companions, later becoming the [[Royal Household]], from which the officers of state arose, initially having household and government duties. Later some of these officers split into two, in the Great Officer of the State and in the Royal Household, or were superseded by new officers or absorbed by existing officers. Many of the officers became hereditary and thus removed from practical operation of either the state or the household.<ref name=rh>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Household, Royal|volume=13|pages=813-814}}</ref> |
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==England (and Wales)== |
==England (and Wales)== |
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! Position !! Officer |
! Position !! Officer !! Current officers !! Superseded by !! [[Royal Households of the United Kingdom|Royal Household]]<ref name=rh/> |
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| 1 || [[Lord High Steward]] || ''Vacant'' || [[Justiciar|Chief Justiciar]] (superseded) || [[Lord Steward]] |
| 1 || [[Lord High Steward]] || ''Vacant'' || [[Justiciar|Chief Justiciar]] (superseded) || [[Lord Steward]] |
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Initially after the [[Norman conquest of England|Norman Conquest]], England adopted the officer from the [[Duchy of Normandy|Normandy Ducal]] court (which was modelled after the French court) with a [[Steward (office)|steward]], [[Chamberlain (office)|chamberlain]] and [[constable]]. Initially having household and governmental duties, some of these officers later split into two counterparts in Great Officer of the State and the royal household. While other officers were superseded by new officers or absorbed by existing officers. This was due to many of the officers becoming hereditary due to feudalistic practices, thus were too removed from the practical operation of either the state or the [[Royal Households of the United Kingdom|Royal Household]].<ref name=rh/> |
Initially after the [[Norman conquest of England|Norman Conquest]], England adopted the officer from the [[Duchy of Normandy|Normandy Ducal]] court (which was modelled after the French court) with a [[Steward (office)|steward]], [[Chamberlain (office)|chamberlain]] and [[constable]]. Initially having household and governmental duties, some of these officers later split into two counterparts in Great Officer of the State and the royal household. While other officers were superseded by new officers or absorbed by existing officers. This was due to many of the officers becoming hereditary due to feudalistic practices, thus were too removed from the practical operation of either the state or the [[Royal Households of the United Kingdom|Royal Household]].<ref name=rh/> |
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The [[Lord High Steward]] and [[Lord Great Chamberlain]] were superseded in their political functions by the [[Justiciar]] and [[Lord High Treasurer]], and in their domestic functions by household offices with similar titles. The [[Earl Marshal|marshal of England]] assumed the place of the constable of England in the royal palace in the command of the royal armies.<ref name=rh/> The [[Justiciar|Chief Justiciar]] was once ranked above the Lord High Chancellor in power, influence and dignity until 1231 when the position lost its standing in the Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Justiciar}} |
The [[Lord High Steward]] and [[Lord Great Chamberlain]] were superseded in their political functions by the [[Justiciar]] and [[Lord High Treasurer]], and in their domestic functions by household offices with similar titles. The [[Earl Marshal|marshal of England]] assumed the place of the constable of England in the royal palace in the command of the royal armies.<ref name=rh/> The [[Justiciar|Chief Justiciar]] was once ranked above the Lord High Chancellor in power, influence and dignity until 1231 when the position lost its standing in the Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Justiciar|volume=15|page=595}}</ref> |
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While most of them early on became hereditary, currently some offices are appointed, while others inherit their positions.<ref name=eb/> The Lord High Stewardship was held by the [[Earl of Leicester|Earls of Leicester]] until 1399 when the holder became the Sovereign; and since 1421, a Lord High Steward has generally only been appointed temporarily |
While most of them early on became hereditary, currently some offices are appointed, while others inherit their positions.<ref name=eb/> The Lord High Stewardship was held by the [[Earl of Leicester|Earls of Leicester]] until 1399 when the holder became the Sovereign; and since 1421, a Lord High Steward has generally only been appointed temporarily for special occasions such as a [[Coronation of the British monarch|coronation]] or, before 1948, for the trials of [[Peerage|peers]].<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Lord High Steward|volume=17|page=3}}</ref> The office of Lord Great Chamberlain is also hereditary, originally being held by the [[Earl of Oxford|Earls of Oxford]]. Later, however, the Chamberlainship came to be inherited by the [[Robert Bertie, 1st Earl of Lindsey|Earl of Lindsey]] and then his multiple heirs, each holding a fraction of the office. One of the holders, chosen by rotation, exercises the office as a Deputy.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Lord Great Chamberlain|volume=17|page=2}}</ref> The post of Lord High Constable was originally inherited by the [[Earl of Hereford|Earls of Hereford]], until when one holder was [[attainder|attainted]] and executed in 1521, the office reverted to the Crown, only to be reinstated for the day of a coronation.<ref name=lhc>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Lord High Constable|volume=17|page=3}}</ref> The final inheritable office is that of Earl Marshal, held by the [[Duke of Norfolk|Dukes of Norfolk]]. During the many periods in which the Dukes were attainted, another individual was appointed to the post. Furthermore, prior to 1824, the Earl Marshal had to appoint a Protestant Deputy if he was a Roman Catholic.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Earl Marshal|volume=8|pages=796-797}}</ref> |
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Some offices are put into "commission"; that is, multiple commissioners are appointed to collectively exercise the office. |
Some offices are put into "[[Government agency|commission]]"; that is, multiple commissioners are appointed to collectively exercise the office. The office of Lord High Treasurer has been in commission since 1612, although not filled continuously until 1714:<ref name=lht>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Lord High Treasurer|volume=17|pages=4-5}}</ref> the First Lord of the Treasury is the Prime Minister, the Second Lord is the [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]], and the remaining Lords Commissioners are Government [[Whip (politics)|Whips]].<ref>{{Cite EB1911|title=Treasury|volume=27|pages=228-229|url=https://archive.org/stream/encyclopaediabri27chisrich#page/228/mode/2up}}</ref> The office of Lord High Admiral was for many years also in commission,<ref name=eb/> but merged with the crown in 1964 and is now an honorary appointment in the gift of the reigning monarch. HRH [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh]] (consort of the current monarch) was granted the title on his 90th birthday. The remaining officers became governmental officers: Lord Chancellor, Lord President and Lord Privy Seal are appointed by the Crown on the advice of the Prime Minister.<ref name=debrett>[http://www.debretts.com/people/royal-family/the-royal-household/great-officers-of-state.aspx Great Officers of State: The Lord Great Chamberlain and The Earl Marshal]. The Royal Family. [http://www.debretts.com/ debretts.com]. Debrett's Limited. Accessed 17 September 2013.</ref> The posts of Lord President and Lord Privy Seal are normally combined with a cabinet minister<ref name=eb/>{{mdash}}earlier, those of [[Leader of the House of Commons]] and [[Leader of the House of Lords]], respectively, but from 2003 the posts have been reversed, and since 2009, the Lord President has been another Cabinet minister. |
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The Great Officers had and have varying duties. The Lord High Steward was originally a holder of significant political power, but gradually became a ceremonial office, as have the Lord Great Chamberlain, Lord High Constable, and the Earl Marshal.<ref name=eb/> The Lord High Treasurer, Lord High Constable, and Lord High Admiral were originally responsible for monetary, military, and naval matters respectively.<ref name= |
The Great Officers had and have varying duties. The Lord High Steward was originally a holder of significant political power, but gradually became a ceremonial office, as have the Lord Great Chamberlain, Lord High Constable, and the Earl Marshal, all of them traditionally hereditary.<ref name=eb/> The Lord High Treasurer, Lord High Constable, and Lord High Admiral were originally responsible for monetary, military, and naval matters respectively.<ref name=lht/><ref name=lhc/><ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Admiral|volume=1|page=195}}</ref> The Lord President of the Council is responsible for presiding over the meetings of the [[Privy Council]].<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Lord President of the Council|volume=17|page=5}}</ref> The office of Lord Privy Seal is a [[sinecure]], though he is technically the Keeper of the Privy Seal. The Lord Chancellor is the most important of the Great Officers: he is the cabinet minister responsible for the [[Ministry of Justice (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Justice]], formerly the [[Lord Chancellor's Department]] and the [[Department for Constitutional Affairs]]) and formally Keeper of the Great Seal. |
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The [[Lord Keeper of the Great Seal]] was generally a temporary position to handle the great seal until the appointment of a new high chancellor or for a non-noble appointment. Eventually, the keeper was granted the same status as the high chancellor. By the late 1700s, the lord keeper was |
The [[Lord Keeper of the Great Seal]] was generally a temporary position to handle the great seal until the appointment of a new high chancellor or for a non-noble appointment. Eventually, the keeper was granted the same status as the high chancellor. By the late 1700s, the lord keeper's role was merged into the chancellorship itself.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Lord Keeper of the Great Seal|volume=17|page=5}}</ref> |
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The [[House of Lords Act 1999]] removed the automatic right of hereditary peers to sit in the House of Lords, but the Act provided that the Lord Great Chamberlain and Earl Marshal be exempt from such a rule, so that they may continue to carry out their ceremonial functions in the House of Lords.<ref name=debrett/> With the [[Constitutional Reform Act 2005]], the Lord High Chancellor has been replaced in some roles by [[Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales]] as head of the judiciary<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rozenberg|first1=Joshua|title=Lord chief justice: changes to judiciary 'eroding something important'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/law/2013/jan/30/lord-chief-justice-changes-judiciary|accessdate=17 July 2014|work=The Guardian|date=30 January 2013}}</ref> and [[Lord Speaker]] as chair of the [[House of Lords]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Lord Speaker|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7647026.stm|accessdate=17 July 2014|work=BBC.co.uk|date=1 October 2008}}</ref> |
The [[House of Lords Act 1999]] removed the automatic right of hereditary peers to sit in the House of Lords, but the Act provided that the Lord Great Chamberlain and Earl Marshal be exempt from such a rule, so that they may continue to carry out their ceremonial functions in the House of Lords.<ref name=debrett/> With the [[Constitutional Reform Act 2005]], the Lord High Chancellor has been replaced in some roles by [[Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales]] as head of the judiciary<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rozenberg|first1=Joshua|title=Lord chief justice: changes to judiciary 'eroding something important'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/law/2013/jan/30/lord-chief-justice-changes-judiciary|accessdate=17 July 2014|work=The Guardian|date=30 January 2013}}</ref> and [[Lord Speaker]] as chair of the [[House of Lords]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Lord Speaker|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7647026.stm|accessdate=17 July 2014|work=BBC.co.uk|date=1 October 2008}}</ref> |
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! Order !! Officers of the Crown<ref group=mb name=p399> |
! Order !! Officers of the Crown<ref group=mb name=p399>Page 399.</ref> !! note !! current |
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The remaining officers are related to Scotland's [[judiciary]]. The [[Lord Justice General]] was originally an important [[nobility|noble]], though in the 19th century, the office was combined with that of [[Lord President of the Court of Session]]. Now, the Lord Justice General is the head of Scotland's judiciary. The Lord Clerk Register is an officer with miscellaneous functions that included conducting the elections of [[Peers and Parliament|representative peer]]s and registering births and deaths. The [[Lord Advocate]] is at the head of the law offices of Scotland; all [[prosecutor]]s act in his name. The Lord Justice Clerk serves as a deputy of the Lord Justice General. Finally, the Lord Lyon King of Arms is the sole judge in the [[Lyon Court]], which determines cases relating to [[heraldry]]. |
The remaining officers are related to Scotland's [[judiciary]]. The [[Lord Justice General]] was originally an important [[nobility|noble]], though in the 19th century, the office was combined with that of [[Lord President of the Court of Session]]. Now, the Lord Justice General is the head of Scotland's judiciary. The Lord Clerk Register is an officer with miscellaneous functions that included conducting the elections of [[Peers and Parliament|representative peer]]s and registering births and deaths. The [[Lord Advocate]] is at the head of the law offices of Scotland; all [[prosecutor]]s act in his name. The Lord Justice Clerk serves as a deputy of the Lord Justice General. Finally, the Lord Lyon King of Arms is the sole judge in the [[Lyon Court]], which determines cases relating to [[heraldry]]. |
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Previous to the [[Act of Union 1707|Union of 1707]] there were eight total officers of state, four great officers and four lesser officers. This limited by an act of parliament, such that the 2 officers of state, Comptroller and Master of the Requests, were merged with Lord High Treasurer and Lord Secretary respectively.<ref group=mb name=p400> |
Previous to the [[Act of Union 1707|Union of 1707]] there were eight total officers of state, four great officers and four lesser officers. This limited by an act of parliament, such that the 2 officers of state, Comptroller and Master of the Requests, were merged with Lord High Treasurer and Lord Secretary respectively.<ref group=mb name=p400>Chapter V. Page 400-401.</ref> The greater officers were the [[Lord Chancellor of Scotland|Lord High Chancellor]], [[Treasurer of Scotland|Lord High Treasurer]], [[Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland|Lord Privy Seal]], the [[Secretary of State, Scotland|Lord Secretary]]. The lesser officers were the [[Lord Clerk Register|Lord Register]], the [[Lord Advocate]], the [[Treasurer-depute|Lord Treasurer-depute]], and the [[Lord Justice Clerk]] with the Lord Register the only one fixed in precedency.<ref group=mb name=p396/> |
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A number of offices ended at or soon after the Union of 1707. These include the High Chancellor, the High Treasurer, the [[Treasurer-depute of Scotland]], the [[Secretary of State, Scotland|Secretary of State]], Scotland, the [[List of Masters of Requests#Masters of Requests (Scotland)|Master of Requests]] and the [[Privy Council of Scotland|President of the Privy Council]]. |
A number of offices ended at or soon after the Union of 1707. These include the High Chancellor, the High Treasurer, the [[Treasurer-depute of Scotland]], the [[Secretary of State, Scotland|Secretary of State]], Scotland, the [[List of Masters of Requests#Masters of Requests (Scotland)|Master of Requests]] and the [[Privy Council of Scotland|President of the Privy Council]]. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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<references/> |
<references/> |
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*Chamberlayne, Edward and John Chamberlayne. Page 396. [https://books.google.com/books?id=mlg2AAAAMAAJ&lpg=PA395&ots=qiFPzhlk5E&dq=Officers%20of%20State%2C%20and%20other%20Great%20Officers%20in%20Scotland&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q=Officers%20of%20State,%20and%20other%20Great%20Officers%20in%20Scotland&f=false Magnae Britanniae notitia, or, The present state of Great-Britain: with divers remarks upon the ancient state thereof]. Edition 25. Godwin, 1718. |
*Chamberlayne, Edward and John Chamberlayne. Page 396. [https://books.google.com/books?id=mlg2AAAAMAAJ&lpg=PA395&ots=qiFPzhlk5E&dq=Officers%20of%20State%2C%20and%20other%20Great%20Officers%20in%20Scotland&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q=Officers%20of%20State,%20and%20other%20Great%20Officers%20in%20Scotland&f=false Magnae Britanniae notitia, or, The present state of Great-Britain: with divers remarks upon the ancient state thereof]. Edition 25. Godwin, 1718. References to ''Magnae Britanniae notitia'': |
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{{reflist|group=mb}} |
{{reflist|group=mb}} |
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Revision as of 18:12, 7 August 2017
In the United Kingdom the Great Officers of State are traditional ministers of The Crown who either inherit their positions or are appointed to exercise certain largely ceremonial functions or to operate as members of the government.[1] Separate Great Officers of State exist for England and for Scotland, and formerly for Ireland. Many of the Great Officers became largely ceremonial because historically they were so influential that their powers had to be resumed by the Crown or dissipated.
Government in all the medieval monarchies generally comprised the king's companions, later becoming the Royal Household, from which the officers of state arose, initially having household and government duties. Later some of these officers split into two, in the Great Officer of the State and in the Royal Household, or were superseded by new officers or absorbed by existing officers. Many of the officers became hereditary and thus removed from practical operation of either the state or the household.[2]
England (and Wales)
The Great Officers of State of the former Kingdom of England, consisting of England and Wales, are:
| Position | Officer | Current officers | Superseded by | Royal Household[2] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lord High Steward | Vacant | Chief Justiciar (superseded) | Lord Steward |
| 2 | Lord High Chancellor | David Lidington[3] | Lord Keeper of the Great Seal (temporarily) | |
| 3 | Lord High Treasurer | In commission | Chancellor of the Exchequer (Philip Hammond)[3] |
|
| 4 | Lord President of the Council | Andrea Leadsom[3] | ||
| 5 | Lord Privy Seal | The Baroness Evans of Bowes Park[3] | ||
| 6 | Lord Great Chamberlain | In gross: The Marquess of Cholmondeley | Lord High Treasurer | Lord Chamberlain |
| 7 | Lord High Constable | Vacant | Earl Marshal | Master of the Horse |
| 8 | Earl Marshal | The Duke of Norfolk | ||
| 9 | Lord High Admiral | HRH The Duke of Edinburgh |
Initially after the Norman Conquest, England adopted the officer from the Normandy Ducal court (which was modelled after the French court) with a steward, chamberlain and constable. Initially having household and governmental duties, some of these officers later split into two counterparts in Great Officer of the State and the royal household. While other officers were superseded by new officers or absorbed by existing officers. This was due to many of the officers becoming hereditary due to feudalistic practices, thus were too removed from the practical operation of either the state or the Royal Household.[2]
The Lord High Steward and Lord Great Chamberlain were superseded in their political functions by the Justiciar and Lord High Treasurer, and in their domestic functions by household offices with similar titles. The marshal of England assumed the place of the constable of England in the royal palace in the command of the royal armies.[2] The Chief Justiciar was once ranked above the Lord High Chancellor in power, influence and dignity until 1231 when the position lost its standing in the Kingdom.[4]
While most of them early on became hereditary, currently some offices are appointed, while others inherit their positions.[1] The Lord High Stewardship was held by the Earls of Leicester until 1399 when the holder became the Sovereign; and since 1421, a Lord High Steward has generally only been appointed temporarily for special occasions such as a coronation or, before 1948, for the trials of peers.[5] The office of Lord Great Chamberlain is also hereditary, originally being held by the Earls of Oxford. Later, however, the Chamberlainship came to be inherited by the Earl of Lindsey and then his multiple heirs, each holding a fraction of the office. One of the holders, chosen by rotation, exercises the office as a Deputy.[6] The post of Lord High Constable was originally inherited by the Earls of Hereford, until when one holder was attainted and executed in 1521, the office reverted to the Crown, only to be reinstated for the day of a coronation.[7] The final inheritable office is that of Earl Marshal, held by the Dukes of Norfolk. During the many periods in which the Dukes were attainted, another individual was appointed to the post. Furthermore, prior to 1824, the Earl Marshal had to appoint a Protestant Deputy if he was a Roman Catholic.[8]
Some offices are put into "commission"; that is, multiple commissioners are appointed to collectively exercise the office. The office of Lord High Treasurer has been in commission since 1612, although not filled continuously until 1714:[9] the First Lord of the Treasury is the Prime Minister, the Second Lord is the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the remaining Lords Commissioners are Government Whips.[10] The office of Lord High Admiral was for many years also in commission,[1] but merged with the crown in 1964 and is now an honorary appointment in the gift of the reigning monarch. HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (consort of the current monarch) was granted the title on his 90th birthday. The remaining officers became governmental officers: Lord Chancellor, Lord President and Lord Privy Seal are appointed by the Crown on the advice of the Prime Minister.[11] The posts of Lord President and Lord Privy Seal are normally combined with a cabinet minister[1]—earlier, those of Leader of the House of Commons and Leader of the House of Lords, respectively, but from 2003 the posts have been reversed, and since 2009, the Lord President has been another Cabinet minister.
The Great Officers had and have varying duties. The Lord High Steward was originally a holder of significant political power, but gradually became a ceremonial office, as have the Lord Great Chamberlain, Lord High Constable, and the Earl Marshal, all of them traditionally hereditary.[1] The Lord High Treasurer, Lord High Constable, and Lord High Admiral were originally responsible for monetary, military, and naval matters respectively.[9][7][12] The Lord President of the Council is responsible for presiding over the meetings of the Privy Council.[13] The office of Lord Privy Seal is a sinecure, though he is technically the Keeper of the Privy Seal. The Lord Chancellor is the most important of the Great Officers: he is the cabinet minister responsible for the Ministry of Justice, formerly the Lord Chancellor's Department and the Department for Constitutional Affairs) and formally Keeper of the Great Seal.
The Lord Keeper of the Great Seal was generally a temporary position to handle the great seal until the appointment of a new high chancellor or for a non-noble appointment. Eventually, the keeper was granted the same status as the high chancellor. By the late 1700s, the lord keeper's role was merged into the chancellorship itself.[14]
The House of Lords Act 1999 removed the automatic right of hereditary peers to sit in the House of Lords, but the Act provided that the Lord Great Chamberlain and Earl Marshal be exempt from such a rule, so that they may continue to carry out their ceremonial functions in the House of Lords.[11] With the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, the Lord High Chancellor has been replaced in some roles by Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales as head of the judiciary[15] and Lord Speaker as chair of the House of Lords.[16]
Scotland
The term "officer of state" is sometimes used loosely of any great office under the Crown. As in England, many offices are hereditary. A number of historical offices ended at or soon after the Treaty of Union 1707. There are also a number of Officers of the Crown and Great Officers of the Royal Household.
Officers of State
| Order | Officers of State | note[mb 1][17] | Current |
|---|---|---|---|
| greater | |||
| 1 | Lord High Chancellor | Keeper of the seal The Right Hon. Nicola Sturgeon, MSP | |
| 2 | Lord High Treasurer | ||
| 3 | Lord Privy Seal | vacant since 1922 | |
| 4 | Lord Secretary | ||
| 5 | Lord Justice General | Lord Carloway | |
| lesser | |||
| 6 | Lord Clerk Register | The Right Hon. The Lord Mackay of Clashfern | |
| 7 | Lord Advocate | James Wolffe, QC | |
| 8 | Treasurer-depute | ||
| 9 | Lord Justice Clerk | Lady Dorrian | |
| joined | |||
| Comptroller | Lord High Treasurer | see other officer | |
| Master of the Requests | Lord Secretary | ||
These Officer of State were also called "Officer of the Crown" despite there being a separate group of officers so named that are not officers of state.[mb 1]
Officers of the Crown
| Order | Officers of the Crown[mb 2] | note | current |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | President of the Council | ||
| 2 | High Chamberlain | ||
| 3 | Great Steward of Scotland | joined with Lord Steward & later the Crown | |
| 4 | Lord High Constable of Scotland | The Right Hon. The Earl of Erroll | |
| 5 | The Knight Marischal | ||
| 6 | Earl Marischal |
These officers were unlike the officer of state and did not sit or vote in meetings.[mb 1]
History
After the abolition of the Mayor of the Palace, France established seven officers of the crown (ordered by rank): the high constable, the high admiral, The high or great chancellor, the great justiciar, the great chamberlain, the great protonotary, and the great steward or seneschal. These offices were duplicated in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and Scotland. By the time of King Malcolm II, the great protonotary was extinct and the great justiciar was replaced by the lord justice general.[18]
The post of High Constable is held by the Earls of Erroll. Originally, the heads of the Keith family held the office of Earl Marischal, but in 1716, the holder was attainted for treason, and the office has not been regranted. The Dukes of Argyll are the Hereditary Masters of the Household. All other officers are Crown appointees. Many of these offices, though originally associated with political power, are only ceremonial now.
The remaining officers are related to Scotland's judiciary. The Lord Justice General was originally an important noble, though in the 19th century, the office was combined with that of Lord President of the Court of Session. Now, the Lord Justice General is the head of Scotland's judiciary. The Lord Clerk Register is an officer with miscellaneous functions that included conducting the elections of representative peers and registering births and deaths. The Lord Advocate is at the head of the law offices of Scotland; all prosecutors act in his name. The Lord Justice Clerk serves as a deputy of the Lord Justice General. Finally, the Lord Lyon King of Arms is the sole judge in the Lyon Court, which determines cases relating to heraldry.
Previous to the Union of 1707 there were eight total officers of state, four great officers and four lesser officers. This limited by an act of parliament, such that the 2 officers of state, Comptroller and Master of the Requests, were merged with Lord High Treasurer and Lord Secretary respectively.[mb 3] The greater officers were the Lord High Chancellor, Lord High Treasurer, Lord Privy Seal, the Lord Secretary. The lesser officers were the Lord Register, the Lord Advocate, the Lord Treasurer-depute, and the Lord Justice Clerk with the Lord Register the only one fixed in precedency.[mb 1]
A number of offices ended at or soon after the Union of 1707. These include the High Chancellor, the High Treasurer, the Treasurer-depute of Scotland, the Secretary of State, Scotland, the Master of Requests and the President of the Privy Council.
See also
- Great Offices of State
- Royal Household
- Secretary of State (England)
- Secretary of State (United Kingdom)
- United Kingdom order of precedence
- Great Officers of the Crown of France
- Great Officers of Sweden
- Great Officers of State of Ireland
- Procedural officers and senior officials of the parliament of Canada
References
- ^ a b c d e Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 25 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 801. This cites:
- ^ a b c d Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 13 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 813–814.
- ^ a b c d "Who is in Theresa May's reshuffled Cabinet?". The Telegraph. 12 June 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
- ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 15 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 595.
- ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 17 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 3.
- ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 17 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 2.
- ^ a b Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 17 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 3.
- ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 8 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 796–797.
- ^ a b Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 17 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 4–5.
- ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Treasury". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 27 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 228–229.
- ^ a b Great Officers of State: The Lord Great Chamberlain and The Earl Marshal. The Royal Family. debretts.com. Debrett's Limited. Accessed 17 September 2013.
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{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date format (link) - ^ Walter Goodal (1872). A Short Account of the Officers of State, and other Great Officers in Scotland. Transactions of the Royal Historical Society, 1, pp 415–426. doi:10.1017/S008044010000075X.
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