List of Lord Chancellors and Lord Keepers
Encyclopedia
The following is a list of Lord Chancellor
s and Lord Keepers of the Great Seal
of England
and Great Britain
.
Notes:
1: Yorke, who had been associated with the opposition, was persuaded to accept appointment as Lord Chancellor and was to have been created Baron Morden. However on meeting with his erstwhile opposition colleagues he became ashamed of his action. He refused to sign the patent conferring the peerage on himself and then committed suicide.
2: Jack Straw
was the first person to have been a Member of Parliament
for the whole of his tenure of the post of Lord Chancellor, although a few previous Lord Chancellors had been MPs when appointed.
Lord Chancellor
The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign...
s and Lord Keepers of the Great Seal
Lord Keeper of the Great Seal
The Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, and later of Great Britain, was formerly an officer of the English Crown charged with physical custody of the Great Seal of England. This evolved into one of the Great Officers of State....
of England
Kingdom of England
The Kingdom of England was, from 927 to 1707, a sovereign state to the northwest of continental Europe. At its height, the Kingdom of England spanned the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain and several smaller outlying islands; what today comprises the legal jurisdiction of England...
and Great Britain
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
.
Lord Chancellors and Lord Keepers of England, 1068–1707
- HerfastHerfastHerfast was a medieval Lord Chancellor of England, Bishop of Elmham and Bishop of Thetford.-Life:Born in Normandy, he joined William the Conqueror during the Norman Conquest of England, and was appointed head of the royal writing office after the Battle of Hastings. He was Lord Chancellor of...
(1068–1070) - Osmund (1070–1078)
- Maurice, Archdeacon of Le Mans (1078–1085)
- Gerard, Preceptor of Rouen (1085–1092), later Archbishop of York
- Robert BloetRobert BloetRobert Bloet was a medieval English bishop and a Chancellor of England. Born into a noble Norman family, he became a royal clerk under King William I of England. Under William I's son and successor King William II, Bloet was first named chancellor then appointed to the see of Lincoln...
(1092–1093) - William GiffardWilliam GiffardWilliam Giffard was the Lord Chancellor of England of William II and Henry I, from 1093 to 1101.Giffard was the brother of Walter Giffard earl of Buckingham. He also held the office of Dean of Rouen prior to his election as bishop. On 3 August 1100 he became bishop of Winchester by nomination of...
(1093–1101) - Roger of SalisburyRoger of SalisburyRoger was a Norman medieval Bishop of Salisbury and the seventh Lord Chancellor and Lord Keeper of England.-Life:...
(1101–1102) - WaldricWaldricWaldric was the eighth Lord Chancellor and Lord Keeper of England, from 1103 to 1107. He was also Bishop of Laon from 1106 to 1112. He had been a royal chaplain as early as 3 September 1101....
(1102–1107) - RanulfRanulf, Lord ChancellorRanulf , was an English cleric and administrator. He became chancellor in the reign of Henry I of England.-Life:...
(1107–1123) - Geoffrey RufusGeoffrey RufusGeoffrey Rufus was a medieval Bishop of Durham and Lord Chancellor of England.-Life:Rufus' parentage and upbringing is unknown. The circumstances around his acquisition of the nickname "Rufus" have not been discovered either. He was a royal clerk before being named the tenth Lord Chancellor and...
(1123–1133) - Robert de SigelloRobert de SigelloRobert de Sigello was a medieval Bishop of London and Lord Chancellor of England.-Life:Robert was keeper of the king's seal, usually known as Lord Chancellor from 1133 to 1135...
(1133–1135) (Keeper of the Great Seal) - Roger le PoerRoger le PoerRoger le Poer was the twelfth Lord Chancellor of England, from 1135 to 1139. He was the son of Roger of Salisbury, Lord Chancellor for King Henry I of England.-References:* accessed on October 30, 2007...
(1135–1139) - Philip de HarcourtPhilip de HarcourtPhilip de Harcourt was a medieval Lord Chancellor of England and Bishop of Bayeux. He was also unsuccessfully elected to be Bishop of Salisbury.-Life:...
, Dean of Lincoln (1139–1140) - Robert of GhentRobert of GhentRobert of Ghent or Robert de Gant was the fourteenth and seventeenth Lord Chancellor and Lord Keeper of England, from 1140 to 1141, and from 1142 to 1154. He was also Dean of York. He was the uncle of Gilbert de Gant, Earl of Lincoln.-References:...
, Dean of York (1140–1141) - William FitzGilbertWilliam FitzGilbertWilliam FitzGilbert was the fifteenth Lord Chancellor of England, from 1141 to 1142, serving the Empress Matilda.-References:* Powicke, F. Maurice and E. B. Fryde Handbook of British Chronology 2nd. ed. London:Royal Historical Society 1961- See also :...
(1141–1142) - William de VereWilliam de Vere-Biography:The son of Aubrey de Vere II and Adeliza of Clare, probably the fourth of five sons, and brother of Aubrey de Vere III first earl of Oxford, de Vere spent part of his youth at the court of King Henry I of England and his second wife, Queen Adeliza of Leuven. Little is known of his...
(1142) - Robert of GhentRobert of GhentRobert of Ghent or Robert de Gant was the fourteenth and seventeenth Lord Chancellor and Lord Keeper of England, from 1140 to 1141, and from 1142 to 1154. He was also Dean of York. He was the uncle of Gilbert de Gant, Earl of Lincoln.-References:...
, Dean of York (1142–1154) - Thomas BecketThomas BecketThomas Becket was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170. He is venerated as a saint and martyr by both the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion...
, Archdeacon of Canterbury (1155–1162) - Geoffrey RidelGeoffrey RidelGeoffrey Ridel was the nineteenth Lord Chancellor of England, from 1162 to 1173.Ridel was probably the great-nephew of Geoffrey Ridel, who died in 1120 and was a royal justice. He was a royal clerk by about 1156, when he first starts witnessing charters. He was a king's clerk before he was...
, Archdeacon of Canterbury (1162–1173) - Ralph de WarnevilleRalph de WarnevilleRalph de Warneville was the twentieth Lord Chancellor of England, from 1173 to 1181. He was also Treasurer of York. Later he was Bishop of Lisieux.-References:...
, Treasurer of York (1173–1181) - Geoffrey, the Bastard, Plantagenet (1181–1189)
- William LongchampWilliam LongchampWilliam Longchamp , sometimes known as William de Longchamp or William de Longchamps, was a medieval Lord Chancellor, Chief Justiciar, and Bishop of Ely in England. Born to a humble family in Normandy, he owed his advancement to royal favour. Although contemporary writers accused Longchamp's father...
, Bishop of Ely (1189–1197) - Eustace, Dean of SalisburyEustace, Dean of SalisburyEustace was the twenty-third Lord Chancellor of England, from 1197 to 1198. He was also Dean of Salisbury and Bishop of Ely.-Early life:...
(1197–1199) (Keeper of the Great Seal) - Hubert WalterHubert WalterHubert Walter was an influential royal adviser in the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries in the positions of Chief Justiciar of England, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Lord Chancellor. As chancellor, Walter began the keeping of the Charter Roll, a record of all charters issued by the...
, Archbishop of Canterbury (1199–1205) - Walter de GrayWalter de GrayWalter de Gray was an English prelate and statesman who rose to be Archbishop of York and Lord Chancellor.-Life:Gray was the son of John de Gray the Elder of Eaton in Norfolk and nephew of John de Gray , Bishop of Norwich. His sister, Hawise, married the Justiciar of England, Philip Basset...
(1205–1214) - Richard MarshRichard Marsh (bishop)Richard Marsh , also called Richard de Marisco, served as Lord Chancellor of England and Bishop of Durham.- Life :Marsh attended a university, as he was styled magister, but which university it was is unknown. His ancestry and upbringing likewise are unknown...
(1214–1226) - Ralph NevilleRalph NevilleRalph Neville was a medieval clergyman and politician who served as Bishop of Chichester, Keeper of the Great Seal and Lord Chancellor of England...
(1226–1240) - Richard le GrasRichard le GrasRichard le Gras was Lord Keeper of England and Abbot of Evesham in the 13th century.Richard was prior of Hurley Priory before his election as abbot on 25 September 1236...
, Abbot of Evesham (1240–1242) - Ralph NevilleRalph NevilleRalph Neville was a medieval clergyman and politician who served as Bishop of Chichester, Keeper of the Great Seal and Lord Chancellor of England...
(1242–1244) - Silvester de EverdonSilvester de EverdonSilvester de Everdon was a medieval Bishop of Carlisle and Lord Chancellor of England.-Life:Everdon came from the village of Everdon, near Daventry in Northamptonshire, but other than the fact that he was related to a locally prominent family of Thorp, nothing else is known of his ancestry. He was...
, Archdeacon of Chester (1244–1246) (Keeper of the Great Seal) - John MaunsellJohn MaunsellSir John Maunsell , also Sir John Mansel, Provost of Beverley, was king's clerk, and a judge. He served as chancellor to King Henry III and was England's first secretary of state.-Life:...
, Provost of Beverley (1246–1247) (Keeper of the Great Seal) - Sir John LexingtonJohn LexingtonSir John Lexington was a Lord Chancellor of England in the 13th century. He served two terms, once from 1247 to 1248, and again from 1249 to 1250.-References:...
(1247–1248) (Keeper of the Great Seal) - John MaunsellJohn MaunsellSir John Maunsell , also Sir John Mansel, Provost of Beverley, was king's clerk, and a judge. He served as chancellor to King Henry III and was England's first secretary of state.-Life:...
(1248–1249) (Keeper of the Great Seal) - Sir John LexingtonJohn LexingtonSir John Lexington was a Lord Chancellor of England in the 13th century. He served two terms, once from 1247 to 1248, and again from 1249 to 1250.-References:...
(1249–1250) (Keeper of the Great Seal) - William of KilkennyWilliam of KilkennyWilliam of Kilkenny was a Lord Chancellor of England and Bishop of Ely.-Life:William may be the same William of Kilkenny who was elected Bishop of Ossory in 1231, but resigned the office in 1232 before being consecrated. Whether that William is the same William that later became Bishop of Ely, the...
(1250–1255) (Keeper of the Great Seal) - Henry WinghamHenry Wingham-Life:Wingham was selected as Chancellor on 5 January 1255. His office was renewed by the baronial reformers in 1258, but he was replaced on 18 October 1260 by Nicholas of Ely...
(1255–1260) - Nicholas of ElyNicholas of ElyNicholas of Ely was Lord Chancellor of England, Bishop of Worcester, Bishop of Winchester, and Lord High Treasurer in the 13th century.-Life:...
, Archdeacon of Ely (1260–1261) - Walter de MertonWalter de MertonWalter de Merton was Bishop of Rochester and founder of Merton College, Oxford.-Life:Walter was born probably at Merton in Surrey or educated there; hence the surname. He came of a land-owning family at Basingstoke; beyond that there is no definite information as to the date or place of birth...
, Archdeacon of Bath (1261–1263) - Nicholas of ElyNicholas of ElyNicholas of Ely was Lord Chancellor of England, Bishop of Worcester, Bishop of Winchester, and Lord High Treasurer in the 13th century.-Life:...
, Archdeacon of Ely (1263) - John ChishullJohn ChishullJohn Chishull or John de Chishull was Lord Chancellor of England, Bishop of London, and Lord High Treasurer during the 13th century. He also served as Dean of St. Paul's.-Life:...
, Archdeacon of LondonArchdeacon of LondonThe Archdeacon of London is an archdiaconal post in the Church of England. It covers one of two archdeaconries within the London and Westminster episcopal area of the Diocese of London - that episcopal area's bishop is the Bishop of London.-List:*William de Beaumais, 12th century *William of...
(1263–1264) - Thomas CantilupeThomas CantilupeThomas de Cantilupe was an English saint and prelate.-Early years:...
, Archdeacon of Stafford (1264–1265) - Ralph SandwichRalph SandwichSir Ralph Sandwich was an English administrator and justice. He was Mayor of London from 1285 to 1293....
(1265) (Keeper of the Great Seal) - Walter GiffardWalter GiffardWalter Giffard was Lord Chancellor of England and Archbishop of York.-Family:Giffard was the son of Hugh Giffard, of Boyton in Wiltshire; his mother was Sibyl, the daughter and co-heiress of Walter de Cormeilles. Walter was born about 1225, and may have been the oldest son. Hugh and Sybil were...
, Bishop of Bath and Wells (1265–1266) - Godfrey GiffardGodfrey GiffardGodfrey Giffard was Chancellor of the Exchequer of England, Lord Chancellor of England and Bishop of Worcester.-Early life:Giffard was the son of Hugh Giffard of Boyton in Wiltshire, a royal justice, and of his wife Sibyl, daughter and co-heiress of Walter de Cormeilles...
, Archdeacon of Wells (1266–1268) - John ChishullJohn ChishullJohn Chishull or John de Chishull was Lord Chancellor of England, Bishop of London, and Lord High Treasurer during the 13th century. He also served as Dean of St. Paul's.-Life:...
, Dean of St Paul's (1268–1269) - Richard MiddletonRichard Middleton (Lord Chancellor)Richard of Middleton , also Richard Middleton was an English theologian and philosopher of the 13th century. Also Richardus de Mediavilla.-Life:...
, Archdeacon of Northumberland (1269–1272) - Walter de MertonWalter de MertonWalter de Merton was Bishop of Rochester and founder of Merton College, Oxford.-Life:Walter was born probably at Merton in Surrey or educated there; hence the surname. He came of a land-owning family at Basingstoke; beyond that there is no definite information as to the date or place of birth...
, Archdeacon of Bath (1272–1274) - Robert BurnellRobert BurnellRobert Burnell was an English bishop who served as Lord Chancellor of England from 1274 to 1292. A native of Shropshire, he served as a minor royal official before entering into the service of Prince Edward, the future King Edward I of England...
, Bishop of Bath (1274–1292) - John LangtonJohn LangtonJohn Langton was a chancellor of England and Bishop of Chichester-Life:Langton was a clerk in the royal chancery, serving as the first Master of the Rolls from May 1286, and became chancellor in 1292...
, Canon of Lincoln (1292–1302) - William GreenfieldWilliam GreenfieldWilliam Greenfield served as both the Lord Chancellor of England and the Archbishop of York. He was also known as William of Greenfield.-Life:...
, Dean of Chichester (1302–1305) - William HamiltonWilliam Hamilton (Lord Chancellor)William Hamilton was deputy chancellor of England from 1286 to 1289, then Lord Chancellor from 1305 to his death on April 20, 1307. He was also Dean of York.-References:...
, Dean of York (1305–1307) - Ralph BaldockRalph BaldockRalph Baldock was a medieval Bishop of London.Baldock was elected on 24 February 1304 and consecrated on 30 January 1306....
, Bishop of London (1307) - John LangtonJohn LangtonJohn Langton was a chancellor of England and Bishop of Chichester-Life:Langton was a clerk in the royal chancery, serving as the first Master of the Rolls from May 1286, and became chancellor in 1292...
, Bishop of Chichester (1307–1310) - Walter ReynoldsWalter ReynoldsWalter Reynolds was Bishop of Worcester and then Archbishop of Canterbury as well as Lord High Treasurer and Lord Chancellor.-Life:...
, Bishop of Worcester (1310–1314) - John SandaleJohn SandaleJohn Sandale was a medieval Bishop of Winchester.He was a canon of Lincoln and St. Paul's before and provost of Wells before becoming Lord High Treasurer from 1310 to 1311. He was acting treasurer from 1312 to 1314. He later became Lord Chancellor on 26 September 1314...
, Canon of Lincoln (1314–1318) - John HothamJohn Hotham (bishop)John Hotham was a medieval Bishop of Ely.Hotham was elected to Ely about 20 June 1316 and consecrated on 3 October 1316.Hotham was appointed Lord High Treasurer of England on 27 May 1317 and left that office before 10 June 1318....
, Bishop of Ely (1318–1320) - John SalmonJohn Salmon-Life:Salmon's family was hereditary goldsmiths to the diocese of Ely. His parents were Salomon and Alice, and he was the eldest of three brothers. He entered the Benedictine priory of Ely sometime before 1291...
, Bishop of Norwich (1320–1323) - Robert BaldockRobert BaldockRobert Baldock was the Lord Privy Seal and Lord Chancellor of England, during the reign of King Edward II of England. He may also have been the Robert Baldock who was elected Bishop of Norwich on 23 July 1325 but resigned the office on 3 September 1325....
, Archdeacon of Middlesex (1323–1327) - John HothamJohn HothamSir John Hotham, 1st Baronet, of Scorborough , English parliamentarian, belonged to a Yorkshire family, and fought on the continent of Europe during the early part of the Thirty Years' War....
, Bishop of Ely (1327–1328) - Henry BurghershHenry BurghershHenry Burghersh , English bishop and chancellor, was a younger son of Robert de Burghersh, 1st Baron Burghersh , and a nephew of Bartholomew, Lord Badlesmere, and was educated in France....
, Bishop of Lincoln (1328–1330) - John de StratfordJohn de StratfordJohn de Stratford was Archbishop of Canterbury and Treasurer and Chancellor of England.-Life:John was born at Stratford-on-Avon and educated at Merton College, Oxford, afterwards entering the service of Edward II....
, Bishop of Winchester (1330–1334) - Richard Bury, Bishop of Durham (1334–1335)
- John de StratfordJohn de StratfordJohn de Stratford was Archbishop of Canterbury and Treasurer and Chancellor of England.-Life:John was born at Stratford-on-Avon and educated at Merton College, Oxford, afterwards entering the service of Edward II....
, Archbishop of Canterbury (1335–1337) - Robert de StratfordRobert de StratfordRobert de Stratford was an English bishop, and was one of Edward III of England's principal ministers.Stratford served for a time as deputy to his brother, John de Stratford, and in 1337 became chancellor and bishop of Chichester. He was elected bishop about 24 August 1337, and was consecrated...
, Bishop of Chichester (1337–1338) - Richard Bintworth, Bishop of London (1338–1339)
- John de StratfordJohn de StratfordJohn de Stratford was Archbishop of Canterbury and Treasurer and Chancellor of England.-Life:John was born at Stratford-on-Avon and educated at Merton College, Oxford, afterwards entering the service of Edward II....
, Archbishop of Canterbury (1340) - Sir Robert Bourchier (1340–1341)
- Sir Robert ParningRobert ParningSir Robert Parning was an English lawyer and administrator. He served as Chief Justice of the King's Bench from 1340 to 1341, Treasurer from January to October 1341, and Chancellor from 1341 to 1343. Originally from Cumberland, he was knight of the shire for this county five times between 1325...
(1341–1343) - Sir Robert SadingtonRobert Sadington-Life:He is assumed to be a native of Sadington in Leicestershire, and perhaps a son of John de Sadington, a valet of Isabella of France. He appears as an advocate in the year-books from 1329 to 1336...
(1343–1345) - John de UffordJohn de UffordJohn de Ufford, sometimes John de Offord or John Offord was chancellor and head of the royal administration to Edward III as well as being appointed to the Archbishopric of Canterbury.-Early life:...
, Dean of Lincoln (1345–1349) - John Thoresby, Bishop of Worcester (1349–1356)
- William Edington, Bishop of Winchester (1356–1363)
- Simon Langham, Bishop of Ely (1363–1367)
- William of WykehamWilliam of WykehamWilliam of Wykeham was Bishop of Winchester, Chancellor of England, founder of Winchester College, New College, Oxford, New College School, Oxford, and builder of a large part of Windsor Castle.-Life:...
, Bishop of Winchester (1367–1371) - Sir Robert ThorpeRobert Thorpe (Lord Chancellor)Sir Robert Thorpe KS JP was a British justice. He was the son of another Sir Robert Thorpe, and is occasionally confused with another Robert Thorpe who was second master of Pembroke College, Cambridge at around the same time...
(1371–1372) - Sir John KnyvetJohn KnyvetSir John Knyvet was an English lawyer and administrator. He was Chief Justice of the King's Bench from 1365 to 1372, and Lord Chancellor of England from 1372 to 1377.-Life:...
(1372–1377) - Adam HoughtonAdam HoughtonAdam Houghton , also known as Adam de Houghton, was Bishop of St David's from 1361 until his death and Lord Chancellor of England from 1377 to 1378....
, Bishop of St David's (1377–1378) - Richard Scrope, 1st Baron Scrope of BoltonRichard Scrope, 1st Baron Scrope of BoltonRichard le Scrope, 1st Baron Scrope of Bolton was an English soldier and courtier, serving Richard II of England. He also fought under the Black Prince at the Battle of Crecy in 1346....
(1378–1380) - Simon SudburySimon SudburySimon Sudbury, also called Simon Theobald of Sudbury and Simon of Sudbury was Bishop of London from 1361 to 1375, Archbishop of Canterbury from 1375 until his death, and in the last year of his life Lord Chancellor of England....
, Archbishop of Canterbury (1380–1381) - Hugh SegraveHugh SegraveSir Hugh Segrave was a Lord Keeper and treasurer of England from 1381 until his death.- References :*. Accessed 16 June 2008.We the people, as one stated by John Lennon. He was our father, our hero, our king....
(1381) (Keeper of the Great Seal) - William CourtenayWilliam CourtenayWilliam Courtenay , English prelate, was Archbishop of Canterbury, having previously been Bishop of Hereford and Bishop of London.-Life:...
, Bishop of London (1381) - Richard Scrope, 1st Baron Scrope of BoltonRichard Scrope, 1st Baron Scrope of BoltonRichard le Scrope, 1st Baron Scrope of Bolton was an English soldier and courtier, serving Richard II of England. He also fought under the Black Prince at the Battle of Crecy in 1346....
(1381–1382) - Robert BraybrookeRobert BraybrookeRobert Braybrooke was a medieval Dean of Salisbury and Bishop of London.Braybrooke was the son of Sir Gerard Braybrooke of Horsenden, Buckinghamshire & Colmworth, Bedfordshire and his wife, Isabella, the daughter of Sir Roger Dakney of Clophill...
, Bishop of London (1382–1383) - Michael de la Pole, 1st Earl of SuffolkMichael de la Pole, 1st Earl of SuffolkMichael de la Pole, 1st Baron de la Pole, later 1st Earl of Suffolk was an English financier and Lord Chancellor of England.- Life :...
(1383–1386) - Thomas ArundelThomas ArundelThomas Arundel was Archbishop of Canterbury in 1397 and from 1399 until his death, an outspoken opponent of the Lollards.-Family background:...
, Bishop of Ely (1386–1389) - William of WykehamWilliam of WykehamWilliam of Wykeham was Bishop of Winchester, Chancellor of England, founder of Winchester College, New College, Oxford, New College School, Oxford, and builder of a large part of Windsor Castle.-Life:...
, Bishop of Winchester (1389–1391) - Thomas ArundelThomas ArundelThomas Arundel was Archbishop of Canterbury in 1397 and from 1399 until his death, an outspoken opponent of the Lollards.-Family background:...
, Archbishop of York (1391–1396) - Edmund StaffordEdmund StaffordEdmund Stafford was the second son of Sir Richard Stafford of Clifton and Isabel Vernon, daughter of Sir Richard Vernon of Haddon. He became the Bishop of Exeter-Biography:...
, Bishop of Exeter (1396–1399) - Thomas ArundelThomas ArundelThomas Arundel was Archbishop of Canterbury in 1397 and from 1399 until his death, an outspoken opponent of the Lollards.-Family background:...
, Archbishop of Canterbury (1399) - John ScarleJohn ScarleJohn Scarle was keeper of the rolls of Chancery from 1394 to 1397 and Archdeacon of Lincoln before being named Lord Chancellor of England in 1399. He held that office until 9 March 1401.-References:...
, Archdeacon of Lincoln (1399–1401) - Edmund StaffordEdmund StaffordEdmund Stafford was the second son of Sir Richard Stafford of Clifton and Isabel Vernon, daughter of Sir Richard Vernon of Haddon. He became the Bishop of Exeter-Biography:...
, Bishop of Exeter (1401–1403) - Henry Beaufort, Bishop of Lincoln (1403–1405)
- Thomas LangleyThomas LangleyThomas Langley was an English prelate who held high ecclesiastical and political offices in the early to mid 1400s. He was Dean of York, Bishop of Durham, twice Lord Chancellor of England to three kings, and a Pseudocardinal. In turn Keeper of the King's signet and Keeper of the Privy Seal before...
, Dean of York (1405–1407) - Thomas ArundelThomas ArundelThomas Arundel was Archbishop of Canterbury in 1397 and from 1399 until his death, an outspoken opponent of the Lollards.-Family background:...
, Archbishop of Canterbury (1407–1410) - Sir Thomas Beaufort (1410–1412)
- Thomas ArundelThomas ArundelThomas Arundel was Archbishop of Canterbury in 1397 and from 1399 until his death, an outspoken opponent of the Lollards.-Family background:...
, Archbishop of Canterbury (1412–1413) - Henry Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester (1413–1417)
- Thomas LangleyThomas LangleyThomas Langley was an English prelate who held high ecclesiastical and political offices in the early to mid 1400s. He was Dean of York, Bishop of Durham, twice Lord Chancellor of England to three kings, and a Pseudocardinal. In turn Keeper of the King's signet and Keeper of the Privy Seal before...
, Bishop of Durham (1417–1424) - Henry Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester (1424–1426)
- John KempJohn KempJohn Kemp was a medieval English cardinal, archbishop of Canterbury, and Lord Chancellor of England.-Biography:Kemp was son of Thomas Kempe, a gentleman of Ollantigh, in the parish of Wye near Ashford, Kent...
, Archbishop of York (1426–1432) - John StaffordJohn Stafford (archbishop)John Stafford was an English statesman and Archbishop of Canterbury.-Life:Stafford was the illegitimate son of a Wiltshire squire, which meant that he had to get the Pope's permission to become a clergyman...
, Bishop of Bath (later Archbishop of Canterbury) (1432–1450) - John KempJohn KempJohn Kemp was a medieval English cardinal, archbishop of Canterbury, and Lord Chancellor of England.-Biography:Kemp was son of Thomas Kempe, a gentleman of Ollantigh, in the parish of Wye near Ashford, Kent...
, Archbishop of York (1450–1454) - Richard Neville, 5th Earl of SalisburyRichard Neville, 5th Earl of SalisburyRichard Neville, jure uxoris 5th Earl of Salisbury and 7th and 4th Baron Montacute, KG, PC was a Yorkist leader during the early parts of the Wars of the Roses.-Background:...
(1454–1455) - Thomas BourchierThomas BourchierThomas Bourchier was an English archbishop, Lord Chancellor and cardinal.-Life:Bourchier was a younger son of William Bourchier, 1st Count of Eu , and through his mother, Anne of Gloucester, a daughter of Thomas of Woodstock, was a grandson of King Edward III of England. One of his brothers was...
, Archbishop of Canterbury (1455–1456) - William WaynfleteWilliam WaynfleteWilliam Waynflete , born William Patten, was Bishop of Winchester from 1447 to 1486, and Lord Chancellor of England from 1456 to 1460. He is best remembered as the founder of Magdalen College and Magdalen College School in Oxford....
, Bishop of Winchester (1456–1460) - George Neville, Bishop of Exeter (1460–1467)
- Robert StillingtonRobert StillingtonRobert Stillington was Bishop of Bath and Wells and a courtier under Edward IV of England. He twice served as Edward#s Lord Chancellor and in 1483, he was instrumental in the accession of Richard III, leading to reprisals under Henry VII.-Life:Stillington was Archdeacon of Wells when he was made...
, Bishop of Bath (1467–1470) - George Neville, Archbishop of York (1470–1471)
- Robert StillingtonRobert StillingtonRobert Stillington was Bishop of Bath and Wells and a courtier under Edward IV of England. He twice served as Edward#s Lord Chancellor and in 1483, he was instrumental in the accession of Richard III, leading to reprisals under Henry VII.-Life:Stillington was Archdeacon of Wells when he was made...
, Bishop of Bath (1471–1473) - Laurence Booth, Bishop of Durham (1473–1475)
- John AlcockJohn Alcock (bishop)-Biography:Alcock was born at Beverley in Yorkshire, son of Sir William Alcock, Burgess of Kingston upon Hull and educated at Cambridge. In 1461 he was made dean of Westminster, and his subsequent promotion was rapid in both church and state. In the following year he was made Master of the Rolls,...
, Bishop of Rochester (1475) - Thomas Rotheram, Bishop of Lincoln (1475–1483)
- John RussellJohn Russell (bishop)John Russell was an English Bishop of Rochester and bishop of Lincoln and Lord Chancellor.-Life:Russell was admitted to Winchester College in 1443, and in 1449 went to Oxford as Fellow of New College...
, Bishop of Lincoln (1483–1485) - Thomas Rotheram, Archbishop of York (1485)
- John AlcockJohn Alcock (bishop)-Biography:Alcock was born at Beverley in Yorkshire, son of Sir William Alcock, Burgess of Kingston upon Hull and educated at Cambridge. In 1461 he was made dean of Westminster, and his subsequent promotion was rapid in both church and state. In the following year he was made Master of the Rolls,...
, Bishop of Worcester (1485–1487) - John Morton, Archbishop of Canterbury (1487–1500)
- Henry DeaneHenry DeaneHenry Deane was the Archbishop of Canterbury in England.In 1457, he is recorded as a Canon of Llanthony by Gloucester, his first appearance in the records...
, Archbishop of Canterbury (1500–1502) (Keeper of the Great Seal) - William WarhamWilliam WarhamWilliam Warham , Archbishop of Canterbury, belonged to a Hampshire family, and was educated at Winchester and New College, Oxford, afterwards practising and teaching law both in London and Oxford....
, Archbishop of Canterbury (1502–1515) (Keeper of the Great Seal to 1504) - Thomas Wolsey, CardinalCardinal (Catholicism)A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
Archbishop of York (1515–1529) - Sir Thomas MoreThomas MoreSir Thomas More , also known by Catholics as Saint Thomas More, was an English lawyer, social philosopher, author, statesman and noted Renaissance humanist. He was an important councillor to Henry VIII of England and, for three years toward the end of his life, Lord Chancellor...
(1529–1532) - Thomas Audley, 1st Baron Audley of WaldenThomas Audley, 1st Baron Audley of WaldenThomas Audley, 1st Baron Audley of Walden, KG, PC, KS , Lord Chancellor of England, born in Earls Colne, Essex, the son of Geoffrey Audley, is believed to have studied at Buckingham College, Cambridge...
(1532–1544) - Thomas Wriothesley, 1st Baron WriothesleyThomas Wriothesley, 1st Earl of SouthamptonThomas Wriothesley, 1st Earl of Southampton, KG , known as The Lord Wriothesley between 1544 and 1547, was a politician of the Tudor period born in London to William Wrythe and Agnes Drayton....
(1544–1547) - William Paulet, 1st Baron St JohnWilliam Paulet, 1st Marquess of WinchesterSir William Paulet was an English Secretary of State and statesman who attained several peerages throughout his lifetime: Baron St John , Earl of Wiltshire , and Marquess of Winchester .-Family origins and early career in Hampshire:William Paulet was eldest son of Sir John Paulet of...
(1547) (Keeper of the Great Seal) - Richard Rich, 1st Baron RichRichard Rich, 1st Baron RichSir Richard Rich, 1st Baron Rich , was Lord Chancellor during the reign of King Edward VI of England. He was the founder of Felsted School with its associated alms houses in Essex in 1564....
(1547–1551) - Thomas GoodrichThomas GoodrichThomas Goodrich was an English ecclesiastic and statesman.-Life:He was a son of Edward Goodrich of East Kirkby, Lincolnshire and brother of Henry Goodricke of Ribston Hall, North Yorkshire....
, Bishop of Ely (1552–1553) - Stephen GardinerStephen GardinerStephen Gardiner was an English Roman Catholic bishop and politician during the English Reformation period who served as Lord Chancellor during the reign of Queen Mary I of England.-Early life:...
, Bishop of Winchester (1553–1555) - Nicholas HeathNicholas HeathNicholas Heath was archbishop of York and Lord Chancellor.-Life:Heath was born in London and graduated BA at Oxford in 1519. He then migrated to Christ's College, Cambridge, where he graduated BA in 1520, MA in 1522, and was elected fellow in 1524. After holding minor preferments he was appointed...
, Archbishop of York (1555–1558) - Sir Nicholas Bacon (1558–1579) (Lord Keeper)
- Sir Thomas BromleyThomas BromleySir Thomas Bromley was an English lord chancellor.-Life:He was born in Staffordshire, was educated at Oxford University and then called to the bar at the Middle Temple...
(1579–1587) (Lord Keeper) - Sir Christopher HattonChristopher HattonSir Christopher Hatton was an English politician, Lord Chancellor of England and a favourite of Elizabeth I of England.-Early days:...
(1587–1591) (Lord Keeper) - In Commission (1591–1592)
- Commissioners of the Great Seal
- William Cecil, 1st Baron BurghleyWilliam Cecil, 1st Baron BurghleyWilliam Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley , KG was an English statesman, the chief advisor of Queen Elizabeth I for most of her reign, twice Secretary of State and Lord High Treasurer from 1572...
- Henry Carey, 1st Baron HunsdonHenry Carey, 1st Baron HunsdonHenry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon, of Hunsdon was an English nobleman.He was the son of Mary Boleyn, the sister of Anne Boleyn and also the mistress to King Henry VIII of England...
- William Brooke, 10th Baron CobhamWilliam Brooke, 10th Baron CobhamWilliam Brooke, 10th Baron Cobham was Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, and a Member of Parliament for Hythe. Although he was viewed by some as a religious radical during the Somerset protectorate, he entertained Elizabeth at Cobham Hall in 1559, signalling his acceptance of the moderate regime.His...
- Thomas Sackville, 1st Baron BuckhurstThomas Sackville, 1st Earl of DorsetThomas Sackville, 1st Earl of Dorset was an English statesman, poet, dramatist and Freemason. He was the son of Richard Sackville, a cousin to Anne Boleyn. He was a Member of Parliament and Lord High Treasurer.-Biography:...
- William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
- Commissioners to hear causes
- Sir Gilbert Gerard and others
- Commissioners of the Great Seal
- Sir John PuckeringJohn PuckeringSir John Puckering was a lawyer, politician, Speaker of the English House of Commons, and Lord Keeper from 1592 until his death...
(1592–1596) (Lord Keeper) - Sir Thomas Egerton, later 1st Baron Ellesmere and then 1st Viscount Brackley (May 6, 1596–March 5, 1617) (Lord Keeper to July 19, 1603)
- Francis Bacon, 1st Baron VerulamFrancis BaconFrancis Bacon, 1st Viscount St Albans, KC was an English philosopher, statesman, scientist, lawyer, jurist, author and pioneer of the scientific method. He served both as Attorney General and Lord Chancellor of England...
(1617–1621) (Lord Keeper to 1618) - In Commission (1621)
- Commissioners to hear causes in the Court of Chancery
- Sir Julius CaesarJulius Caesar (judge)Sir Julius Caesar was an English judge and politician. He was born near Tottenham in Middlesex. His father was Giulio Cesare Adelmare, an Italian physician to Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, descended by the female line from the dukes of Cesarini.Caesar was educated at Magdalen College, Oxford,...
and others
- Sir Julius Caesar
- Commissioners to hear causes in the House of Lords
- Sir James LeyJames Ley, 1st Earl of MarlboroughJames Ley, 1st Earl of Marlborough was Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench in Ireland and then in England; he was an English Member of Parliament and was Lord High Treasurer from 1624 to 1628. On 31 December 1624, James I created him Baron Ley, of Ley in the County of Devon, and on 5 February...
and others
- Sir James Ley
- Commissioners to use the Great Seal
- Henry Montagu, 1st Viscount MandevilleHenry Montagu, 1st Earl of ManchesterSir Henry Montagu, 1st Earl of Manchester was an English judge, politician and peer.-Life:He was the grandson of Sir Edward Montagu, Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench from 1539 to 1545, who was named by King Henry VIII one of the executors of his will, and governor to his son, Edward VI.Born...
- Ludovic Stewart, 2nd Duke of LennoxLudovic Stewart, 2nd Duke of LennoxLudovic Stewart, 2nd Duke of Lennox and 1st Duke of Richmond was a Scottish nobleman and politician. He was the son of Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox and his wife Catherine de Balsac. Stewart was involved in the Plantation of Ulster in Ireland and the colonization of Maine in New England...
- Thomas Howard, 21st Earl of ArundelThomas Howard, 21st Earl of ArundelThomas Howard, 21st Earl of Arundel KG, was a prominent English courtier during the reigns of King James I and King Charles I, but he made his name as a Grand Tourist and art collector rather than as a politician. When he died he possessed 700 paintings, along with large collections of sculpture,...
- Henry Montagu, 1st Viscount Mandeville
- Commissioners to hear causes in the Court of Chancery
- John WilliamsJohn Williams (archbishop)John Williams was a British clergyman and political advisor to King James I. He served as Bishop of Lincoln 1621–1641, Keeper of the Great Seal also known as Lord Keeper or Lord Chancellor 1621–1625, and Archbishop of York 1641–1650...
, Bishop of Lincoln (1621–1625) (Lord Keeper) - Thomas Coventry, 1st Baron CoventryThomas Coventry, 1st Baron CoventryThomas Coventry, 1st Baron Coventry was a prominent English lawyer, politician and judge during the early 17th century.-Education and early legal career:...
(1625–1640) (Lord Keeper) - John Finch, 1st Baron Finch (1640–1641) (Lord Keeper)
- Edward Littleton, 1st Baron Lyttleton of MounslowEdward Littleton, 1st Baron Lyttleton of MounslowEdward, Baron Littleton , from Munslow in Shropshire, was a Chief Justice of North Wales. He was descended from the judge and legal scholar, Thomas de Littleton. His father, also Edward, had been Chief Justice of North Wales before him.-Education and career:He was educated at Oxford before...
(1641–1645) (Lord Keeper) (Took Great Seal to King, 1642) - Sir Richard LaneRichard Lane (barrister)Sir Richard Lane was an English barrister who practised mostly in the Court of Exchequer. He acted as defence counsel to the Earl of Strafford when he was impeached and attainted, and also represented Archbishop Williams and eleven other bishops who were imprisoned in the Tower of London in...
(1645–1650) (Lord Keeper) (Great Seal captured and destroyed by Parliament, 11 August 1646) - (New Parliamentary Great Seal) in Commission (Nov 1643 to Oct 1646)
- Henry Grey, 10th Earl of KentHenry Grey, 10th Earl of KentHenry Grey, 10th Earl of Kent , known as Lord Ruthin from 1639 to 1643, was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1640 and succeeded to the title Earl of Kent in 1643....
- Oliver St John, 1st Earl of BolingbrokeOliver St John, 1st Earl of BolingbrokeOliver St John, 1st Earl of Bolingbroke , known from 1618 until 1624 as 4th Baron St John of Bletso, was an English nobleman and politician.-Life:...
, died July 1646 and replaced by William Cecil, 2nd Earl of SalisburyWilliam Cecil, 2nd Earl of SalisburyWilliam Cecil, 2nd Earl of Salisbury, KG , known as Viscount Cranborne from 1605 to 1612, was an English peer and politician.-Early years, 1591-1612:... - Oliver St JohnOliver St JohnSir Oliver St John , was an English judge and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1640 to 1653. He supported the Parliamentary cause in the English Civil War.- Early life :...
- John WildeJohn WildeJohn Wilde was a painter, draughtsman and printmaker of fantastic imagery. Born near Milwaukee, Wilde lived most of his life in Wisconsin, save for service in the U.S. Army during World War II. He received bachelor and master degrees in art from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he taught...
- Samwell Browne
- Edmund PrideauxEdmund PrideauxSir Edmund Prideaux was an English lawyer and Member of Parliament, who supported the Parliamentary cause during the English Civil War. He was briefly solicitor-general but chose to resign rather than participate in the regicide of Charles I and was afterwards attorney-general a position he held...
- Henry Grey, 10th Earl of Kent
- (Great Seal) in Commission (1646–1649)
- William LenthallWilliam LenthallWilliam Lenthall was an English politician of the Civil War period. He served as Speaker of the House of Commons.-Early life:...
(as Speaker of the House of Commons)
- William Lenthall
- Sir Edward Herbert (1653–1654) (Lord Keeper)
- Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of ClarendonEdward Hyde, 1st Earl of ClarendonEdward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon was an English historian and statesman, and grandfather of two English monarchs, Mary II and Queen Anne.-Early life:...
(1658–1667) - Sir Orlando Bridgeman (1667–1672) (Lord Keeper)
- Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury (1672–1673)
- Heneage Finch, 1st Earl of NottinghamHeneage Finch, 1st Earl of NottinghamHeneage Finch, 1st Earl of Nottingham, PC , Lord Chancellor of England, was descended from the old family of Finch, many of whose members had attained high legal eminence, and was the eldest son of Sir Heneage Finch, recorder of London, by his first wife Frances Bell, daughter of Sir Edmond Bell of...
(1673–1682) (Lord Keeper to 1675) - Francis North, 1st Baron GuilfordFrancis North, 1st Baron GuilfordFrancis North, 1st Baron Guilford PC KC was the third son of the 4th Baron North, and was created Baron Guilford in 1683, after becoming Lord Keeper of the Great Seal in succession to Lord Nottingham....
(1682–1685) (Lord Keeper) - George Jeffreys, 1st Baron JeffreysGeorge Jeffreys, 1st Baron JeffreysGeorge Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys of Wem, PC , also known as "The Hanging Judge", was an English judge. He became notable during the reign of King James II, rising to the position of Lord Chancellor .- Early years and education :Jeffreys was born at the family estate of Acton Hall, near Wrexham,...
(1685–1688) - In Commission (1689–1690)
- Sir John MaynardJohn Maynard (MP)Sir John Maynard KS was an English lawyer and politician, prominent under the reigns of Charles I, the Commonwealth, Charles II, James II and William III.-Origins and education:...
- Sir Anthony Keck
- Sir William Rawlinson
- Sir John Maynard
- In Commission (1690–1693)
- Sir John TrevorJohn Trevor (speaker)Sir John Trevor was a Welsh lawyer and politician. He was Speaker of the English House of Commons from 1685 to 1687 and from 1689 to 1695. Trevor also served as Master of the Rolls from 1685 to 1689 and from 1693 to 1717...
- Sir William Rawlinson
- Sir George Hutchins
- Sir John Trevor
- John Somers, 1st Baron SomersJohn Somers, 1st Baron SomersJohn Somers, 1st Baron Somers, PC, FRS was an English Whig jurist and statesman. Somers first came to national attention in the trial of the Seven Bishops where he was on the their defence counsel. He published tracts on political topics such as the succession to the crown, where he elaborated his...
(1693–1700) (Lord Keeper to 1697) - In Commission (1700)
- Sir John Holt
- Sir Robert Tracy
- Sir Edward Ward
- Sir John TrevorJohn Trevor (speaker)Sir John Trevor was a Welsh lawyer and politician. He was Speaker of the English House of Commons from 1685 to 1687 and from 1689 to 1695. Trevor also served as Master of the Rolls from 1685 to 1689 and from 1693 to 1717...
- Sir Nathan WrightNathan WrightSir Nathan Wright was Lord Keeper of the Great Seal under King William III and Queen Anne.His descendants are the Kelsey family. Gerry Kelsey was Head Gardener for the Duchess and Duke of Norfolk at Arundel Castle,West Sussex....
(1700–1705) (Lord Keeper) - William Cowper, 1st Baron Cowper (1705–1707) (Lord Keeper)
Lord High Chancellors and Lord Keepers of Great Britain, 1707–present
| Name | Term (From - To) |
|---|---|
| The Lord Cowper | 1707–1710 |
In Commission:
|
1710 |
| The Lord Harcourt (Lord Keeper to 1713) | 1710–1714 |
| The Lord Cowper | 1714–1718 |
| In Commission:
John Pratt (judge) Sir John Pratt was an English judge and politician.Pratt was Lord Chief Justice of England from May 15, 1718 until March 2, 1725. He was appointed as an interim Chancellor of the Exchequer on February 2, 1721, until April 3, 1721.... James Montagu (judge) Sir James Montagu SL QC was an English barrister, and judge. As a politician, he sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1695 and 1713 and served as Solicitor General and Attorney General.-Life:... |
1718 |
| The Earl of Macclesfield Thomas Parker, 1st Earl of Macclesfield Thomas Parker, 1st Earl of Macclesfield PC, FRS was an English Whig politician.-Youth and early career:He was born in Staffordshire, the son of Thomas Parker, an attorney at Leek. He was educated at Adams' Grammar School and Trinity College, Cambridge... |
1718–1725 |
| In Commission:
Joseph Jekyll Sir Joseph Jekyll KS was a British barrister, politician and judge. Born to John Jekyll, he initially attended a seminary before joining the Middle Temple in 1680. Thanks to his association with Lord Somers Jekyll advanced rapidly, becoming Chief Justice of Chester in 1697 and a King's Serjeant in... Jeffrey Gilbert (judge) Jeffrey Gilbert was an English judge and author who was Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer in both Ireland and England and later became renowned for his legal treatises, none of which were published in his lifetime.-Family and early career:... Robert Raymond Robert Alwyn "Bob" Raymond OAM was an Australian Logie Award winning producer, director, writer, filmmaker and journalist... |
1725 |
| The Lord King Peter King, 1st Baron King Peter King, 1st Baron King PC, FRS was an English lawyer and politician, who became lord chancellor of England.-Life:He was born in Exeter in 1669.... |
1725–1733 |
| The Lord Talbot | 1733–1737 |
| The Earl of Hardwicke Philip Yorke, 1st Earl of Hardwicke Philip Yorke, 1st Earl of Hardwicke PC was an English lawyer and politician who served as Lord Chancellor. He was a close confidant of the Duke of Newcastle, Prime Minister between 1754 and 1756 and 1757 until 1762.... |
1737–1756 |
| In Commission:
John Willes (judge) Sir John Willes was an English lawyer and judge who was the longest-serving Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas since the 15th century. He was also a Member of Parliament.... John Eardley Wilmot Sir John Eardley Wilmot PC , was an English judge, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas from 1766 to 1771.-Family and early life:... |
1756–1757 |
| The Earl of Northington Robert Henley, 1st Earl of Northington Robert Henley, 1st Earl of Northington PC , was the Lord Chancellor of Great Britain. He was a member of the Whig Party in the parliament and was known for his wit and writing.-Family:... (Lord Keeper to 1761) |
1757–1766 |
| The Lord Camden Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden was an English lawyer, judge and Whig politician who was first to hold the title of Earl of Camden... |
1766–1770 |
| Charles Yorke Charles Yorke Charles Yorke was Lord Chancellor of Great Britain.-Life:The second son of Philip Yorke, 1st Earl of Hardwicke, he was born in London, and was educated at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. His literary abilities were shown at an early age by his collaboration with his brother Philip in the... 1 |
1770 |
| In Commission:
Henry Bathurst, 2nd Earl Bathurst Henry Bathurst, 2nd Earl Bathurst PC, KC , known as the Lord Apsley from 1771 to 1775, was a British lawyer and politician. He was Lord Chancellor of Great Britain from 1771 to 1778.-Background and education:... (later Lord Apsley Earl Bathurst Earl Bathurst, of Bathurst in the County of Sussex, is a title in the Peerage of Great Britain. It was created in 1772 for Allen Bathurst, 1st Baron Bathurst. He was a politician and an opponent of Sir Robert Walpole... ) Richard Aston Sir Richard Aston was an English judge.Aston was a younger son of Richard Aston, Esq., of Wadley, Berkshire, grandson of Sir Willoughby Aston, Bart., and great-grandson of Sir Thomas Aston, the first of the Aston Baronets. The Astons derived their name from Aston in Cheshire, where the family had... |
1770–1771 |
| The Lord Apsley Henry Bathurst, 2nd Earl Bathurst Henry Bathurst, 2nd Earl Bathurst PC, KC , known as the Lord Apsley from 1771 to 1775, was a British lawyer and politician. He was Lord Chancellor of Great Britain from 1771 to 1778.-Background and education:... |
1771–1778 |
| The Lord Thurlow Edward Thurlow, 1st Baron Thurlow Edward Thurlow, 1st Baron Thurlow PC, KC was a British lawyer and Tory politician. He served as Lord Chancellor of Great Britain for fourteen years and under four Prime Ministers.- Early life:... |
1778–1783 |
| In Commission:
Alexander Wedderburn, 1st Earl of Rosslyn Alexander Wedderburn, 1st Earl of Rosslyn was Lord Chancellor of Great Britain from 1793 to 1801.-Life:He was the eldest son of Peter Wedderburn , and was born in East Lothian.... |
1783 |
| The Lord Thurlow Edward Thurlow, 1st Baron Thurlow Edward Thurlow, 1st Baron Thurlow PC, KC was a British lawyer and Tory politician. He served as Lord Chancellor of Great Britain for fourteen years and under four Prime Ministers.- Early life:... |
1783–1792 |
| In Commission:
James Eyre Sir James Eyre was an English judge, the son of the Rev. Thomas Eyre, of Wells, Somerset.-Biography:He was educated at Winchester College and at St John's College, Oxford, which he left without taking a degree. He was called to the bar at Gray's Inn in 1755, Thomas Parker, chief baron of the... |
1792–1793 |
| The Lord Loughborough Alexander Wedderburn, 1st Earl of Rosslyn Alexander Wedderburn, 1st Earl of Rosslyn was Lord Chancellor of Great Britain from 1793 to 1801.-Life:He was the eldest son of Peter Wedderburn , and was born in East Lothian.... |
1793–1801 |
| The Lord Eldon John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon PC KC FRS FSA was a British barrister and politician. He served as Lord Chancellor of Great Britain between 1801 and 1806 and again between 1807 and 1827.- Background and education :... (later Earl of Eldon Earl of Eldon Earl of Eldon, in the County Palatine of Durham, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1821 for the lawyer and politician John Scott, 1st Baron Scott, Lord Chancellor from 1801 to 1806 and from 1807 to 1827... ) |
1801–1806 |
| The Lord Erskine Thomas Erskine, 1st Baron Erskine Thomas Erskine, 1st Baron Erskine KT PC KC was a British lawyer and politician. He served as Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom between 1806 and 1807 in the Ministry of All the Talents.-Background and childhood:... |
1806–1807 |
| The Earl of Eldon John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon PC KC FRS FSA was a British barrister and politician. He served as Lord Chancellor of Great Britain between 1801 and 1806 and again between 1807 and 1827.- Background and education :... |
1807–1827 |
| The Lord Lyndhurst | 1827–1830 |
| The Lord Brougham and Vaux | 1830–1834 |
| The Lord Lyndhurst | 1834–1835 |
| In Commission:
Earl of Cottenham Earl of Cottenham , of Cottenham in the County of Cambridge, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1850 for the prominent lawyer and Whig politician Charles Pepys, 1st Baron Cottenham. He served as Lord Chancellor from 1836 to 1841 and from 1846 to 1850... ) Lancelot Shadwell Sir Lancelot Shadwell was a barrister at Lincoln's Inn and was Member of Parliament for Ripon from 1826 to 1827 before becoming Vice-Chancellor of England in 1827.He supported Jewish emancipation.... |
1835–1836 |
| The Lord Cottenham Charles Pepys, 1st Earl of Cottenham Charles Christopher Pepys, 1st Earl of Cottenham PC KC was a British lawyer, judge and politician. He was twice Lord Chancellor of Great Britain.-Background and education:... |
1836–1841 |
| The Lord Lyndhurst | 1841–1846 |
| The Lord Cottenham Charles Pepys, 1st Earl of Cottenham Charles Christopher Pepys, 1st Earl of Cottenham PC KC was a British lawyer, judge and politician. He was twice Lord Chancellor of Great Britain.-Background and education:... |
1846–1850 |
| In Commission:
Henry Bickersteth, 1st Baron Langdale Henry Bickersteth, 1st Baron Langdale KC, PC was an English law reformer and Master of the Rolls.He was born on 18 June 1783 at Kirkby Lonsdale, three years before his brother Edward Bickersteth... Lancelot Shadwell Sir Lancelot Shadwell was a barrister at Lincoln's Inn and was Member of Parliament for Ripon from 1826 to 1827 before becoming Vice-Chancellor of England in 1827.He supported Jewish emancipation.... Baron Cranworth Baron Cranworth is a title that has been created twice, both times in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. The first creation came in 1850 when the lawyer and Liberal politician Sir Robert Rolfe was made Baron Cranworth, of Cranworth in the County of Norfolk. He later served as Lord Chancellor of the... ) |
1850 |
| The Lord Truro | 1850–1852 |
| The Lord St Leonards | 1852 |
| The Lord Cranworth | 1852–1858 |
| The Lord Chelmsford Frederic Thesiger, 1st Baron Chelmsford Frederic Thesiger, 1st Baron Chelmsford PC KC FRS was a British jurist and Conservative politician. He was twice Lord Chancellor of Great Britain.-Early life:... |
1858–1859 |
| The Lord Campbell John Campbell, 1st Baron Campbell John Campbell, 1st Baron Campbell PC, KC was a British Liberal politician, lawyer, and man of letters.-Background and education:... |
1859–1861 |
| The Lord Westbury Richard Bethell, 1st Baron Westbury Richard Bethell, 1st Baron Westbury PC, QC , was a British lawyer, judge and Liberal politician. He served as Lord Chancellor of Great Britain between 1861 and 1865.-Background and education:... |
1861–1865 |
| The Lord Cranworth Robert Rolfe, 1st Baron Cranworth Robert Monsey Rolfe, 1st Baron Cranworth PC was a British lawyer and Liberal politician. He twice served as Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain.-Background and education:... |
1865–1866 |
| The Lord Chelmsford Frederic Thesiger, 1st Baron Chelmsford Frederic Thesiger, 1st Baron Chelmsford PC KC FRS was a British jurist and Conservative politician. He was twice Lord Chancellor of Great Britain.-Early life:... |
1866–1868 |
| The Lord Cairns Hugh Cairns, 1st Earl Cairns Hugh McCalmont Cairns, 1st Earl Cairns PC, QC was a British statesman who served as Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom during the first two ministries of Benjamin Disraeli. He was one of the most prominent Conservative statesmen in the House of Lords during this period of Victorian politics... (later Earl Cairns Earl Cairns Earl Cairns is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1878 for the prominent lawyer and Conservative politician Hugh Cairns, 1st Baron Cairns. He was Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom in 1868 and from 1874 to 1880... ) |
1868 |
| The Lord Hatherley William Wood, 1st Baron Hatherley William Page Wood, 1st Baron Hatherley PC, QC was a British lawyer and statesman who served as a Liberal Lord Chancellor between 1868 and 1872 in William Ewart Gladstone's first ministry.-Background and education:... |
1868–1872 |
| The Lord Selborne Roundell Palmer, 1st Earl of Selborne Roundell Palmer, 1st Earl of Selborne PC , was a British lawyer and politician. He served twice as Lord Chancellor of Great Britain.-Background and education:... (later Earl of Selborne Earl of Selborne Earl of Selborne, in the County of Southampton, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1882 for the lawyer and Liberal politician Roundell Palmer, 1st Baron Selborne, along with the subsidiary title of Viscount Wolmer, of Blackmoor in the County of Southampton... ) |
1872–1874 |
| The Earl Cairns Hugh Cairns, 1st Earl Cairns Hugh McCalmont Cairns, 1st Earl Cairns PC, QC was a British statesman who served as Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom during the first two ministries of Benjamin Disraeli. He was one of the most prominent Conservative statesmen in the House of Lords during this period of Victorian politics... |
1874–1880 |
| The Earl of Selborne Roundell Palmer, 1st Earl of Selborne Roundell Palmer, 1st Earl of Selborne PC , was a British lawyer and politician. He served twice as Lord Chancellor of Great Britain.-Background and education:... |
1880–1885 |
| The Lord Halsbury Hardinge Giffard, 1st Earl of Halsbury Hardinge Stanley Giffard, 1st Earl of Halsbury PC, QC was a leading barrister, politician and government minister. He served thrice as Lord Chancellor of Great Britain.-Background and education:... (later Earl of Halsbury Earl of Halsbury Earl of Halsbury, in the County of Devon, was a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1898 for the lawyer and Conservative politician Hardinge Giffard, 1st Baron Halsbury. He was Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom from 1885 to 1886, 1886 to 1892 and 1895 to 1905... ) |
1885–1886 |
| The Lord Herschell Farrer Herschell, 1st Baron Herschell Farrer Herschell, 1st Baron Herschell GCB, PC, QC was Lord Chancellor of Great Britain in 1886, and again from 1892 to 1895.-Early career:... |
1886 |
| The Lord Halsbury Hardinge Giffard, 1st Earl of Halsbury Hardinge Stanley Giffard, 1st Earl of Halsbury PC, QC was a leading barrister, politician and government minister. He served thrice as Lord Chancellor of Great Britain.-Background and education:... |
1886–1892 |
| The Lord Herschell Farrer Herschell, 1st Baron Herschell Farrer Herschell, 1st Baron Herschell GCB, PC, QC was Lord Chancellor of Great Britain in 1886, and again from 1892 to 1895.-Early career:... |
1892–1895 |
| The Earl of Halsbury Hardinge Giffard, 1st Earl of Halsbury Hardinge Stanley Giffard, 1st Earl of Halsbury PC, QC was a leading barrister, politician and government minister. He served thrice as Lord Chancellor of Great Britain.-Background and education:... |
1895–1905 |
| The Earl of Loreburn | 1905–1912 |
| The Viscount Haldane Richard Haldane, 1st Viscount Haldane Richard Burdon Haldane, 1st Viscount Haldane KT, OM, PC, KC, FRS, FBA, FSA , was an influential British Liberal Imperialist and later Labour politician, lawyer and philosopher. He was Secretary of State for War between 1905 and 1912 during which time the "Haldane Reforms" were implemented... |
1912–1915 |
| The Lord Buckmaster Stanley Buckmaster, 1st Viscount Buckmaster Stanley Owen Buckmaster, 1st Viscount Buckmaster, GCVO, PC, KC was a British lawyer and Liberal politician. He was Lord Chancellor under H. H... |
1915–1916 |
| The Lord Finlay Robert Finlay, 1st Viscount Finlay Robert Bannatyne Finlay, 1st Viscount Finlay GCMG, PC, QC,MD was a British lawyer, doctor and politician who became Lord Chancellor of Great Britain.-Background and education:... |
1916–1919 |
| The Earl of Birkenhead F. E. Smith, 1st Earl of Birkenhead Frederick Edwin Smith, 1st Earl of Birkenhead GCSI, PC, KC , best known to history as F. E. Smith , was a British Conservative statesman and lawyer of the early 20th century. He was a skilled orator, noted for his staunch opposition to Irish nationalism, his wit, pugnacious views, and hard living... |
1919–1922 |
| The Viscount Cave George Cave, 1st Viscount Cave George Cave, 1st Viscount Cave GCMG, KC, PC was a British lawyer and Conservative politician. He was Home Secretary under David Lloyd George from 1916 to 1919 and served as Lord Chancellor of Great Britain from 1922 to 1924 and again from 1924 to 1928.-Background and education:Cave was born in... |
1922–1924 |
| The Viscount Haldane Richard Haldane, 1st Viscount Haldane Richard Burdon Haldane, 1st Viscount Haldane KT, OM, PC, KC, FRS, FBA, FSA , was an influential British Liberal Imperialist and later Labour politician, lawyer and philosopher. He was Secretary of State for War between 1905 and 1912 during which time the "Haldane Reforms" were implemented... |
1924 |
| The Viscount Cave George Cave, 1st Viscount Cave George Cave, 1st Viscount Cave GCMG, KC, PC was a British lawyer and Conservative politician. He was Home Secretary under David Lloyd George from 1916 to 1919 and served as Lord Chancellor of Great Britain from 1922 to 1924 and again from 1924 to 1928.-Background and education:Cave was born in... |
1924–1928 |
| The Lord Hailsham Douglas Hogg, 1st Viscount Hailsham Douglas McGarel Hogg, 1st Viscount Hailsham PC was a British lawyer and Conservative politician.-Background:... (later Viscount Hailsham Viscount Hailsham Viscount Hailsham, of Hailsham in the County of Sussex, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1929 for the lawyer and Conservative politician Douglas Hogg, 1st Baron Hailsham, who twice served as Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom... ) |
1928–1929 |
| The Viscount Sankey John Sankey, 1st Viscount Sankey John Sankey, 1st Viscount Sankey GBE, KStJ, PC, KC was a prominent British lawyer, judge and Labour politician, famous for many of his judgments in the House of Lords... |
1929–1935 |
| The Viscount Hailsham Douglas Hogg, 1st Viscount Hailsham Douglas McGarel Hogg, 1st Viscount Hailsham PC was a British lawyer and Conservative politician.-Background:... |
1935–1938 |
| The Lord Maugham Frederic Maugham, 1st Viscount Maugham Frederic Herbert Maugham, 1st Viscount Maugham PC, KC was a British lawyer and judge who served as Lord Chancellor from 1938 until 1939 despite having virtually no political career at all.... |
1938–1939 |
| The Viscount Caldecote Thomas Inskip, 1st Viscount Caldecote Thomas Walker Hobart Inskip, 1st Viscount Caldecote CBE, PC, KC was a British politician who served in many legal posts, culminating in serving as Lord Chancellor from 1939 until 1940... |
1939–1940 |
| The Viscount Simon John Simon, 1st Viscount Simon John Allsebrook Simon, 1st Viscount Simon GCSI GCVO OBE PC was a British politician who held senior Cabinet posts from the beginning of the First World War to the end of the Second. He is one of only three people to have served as Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer,... |
1940–1945 |
| The Viscount Jowitt William Jowitt, 1st Earl Jowitt William Allen Jowitt, 1st Earl Jowitt PC, KC , was a British Labour politician and lawyer, who served as Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain under Clement Attlee from 1945 to 1951.-Background and education:... |
1945–1951 |
| The Lord Simonds Gavin Simonds, 1st Viscount Simonds Gavin Turnbull Simonds, 1st Viscount Simonds PC, KC was a British judge, politician and Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain.-Background and education:... |
1951–1954 |
| The Viscount Kilmuir David Maxwell Fyfe, 1st Earl of Kilmuir David Patrick Maxwell Fyfe, 1st Earl of Kilmuir GCVO, PC, KC, , known as Sir David Maxwell Fyfe from 1942 to 1954 and as The Viscount Kilmuir from 1954 to 1962, was a British Conservative politician, lawyer and judge who combined an industrious and precocious legal career with political ambitions... |
1954–1962 |
| The Lord Dilhorne Reginald Manningham-Buller, 1st Viscount Dilhorne Reginald Edward Manningham-Buller, 1st Viscount Dilhorne PC, QC , known as Sir Reginald Manningham-Buller, Bt, from 1954 to 1962 and as The Lord Dilhorne from 1962 to 1964, was an English lawyer and Conservative politician... |
1962–1964 |
| The Lord Gardiner | 1964–1970 |
| The Lord Hailsham of St Marylebone Quintin Hogg, Baron Hailsham of St Marylebone For the businessman and philanthropist, see Quintin Hogg Quintin McGarel Hogg, Baron Hailsham of St Marylebone, KG, CH, PC, QC, FRS , formerly 2nd Viscount Hailsham , was a British politician who was known for the longevity of his career, the vigour with which he campaigned for the Conservative... |
1970–1974 |
| The Lord Elwyn-Jones | 1974–1979 |
| The Lord Hailsham of St Marylebone Quintin Hogg, Baron Hailsham of St Marylebone For the businessman and philanthropist, see Quintin Hogg Quintin McGarel Hogg, Baron Hailsham of St Marylebone, KG, CH, PC, QC, FRS , formerly 2nd Viscount Hailsham , was a British politician who was known for the longevity of his career, the vigour with which he campaigned for the Conservative... |
1979–1987 |
| The Lord Havers Michael Havers, Baron Havers Robert Michael Oldfield Havers, Baron Havers PC, QC was a British barrister and Conservative politician. From his knighthood in 1972 until becoming a peer in 1987 he was known as Sir Michael Havers.- Early life :... |
1987 |
| The Lord Mackay of Clashfern | 1987–1997 |
| The Lord Irvine of Lairg Derry Irvine, Baron Irvine of Lairg Alexander Andrew Mackay Irvine, Baron Irvine of Lairg, PC, QC , known as Derry Irvine, is a British lawyer and political figure who served as Lord Chancellor under his former pupil barrister Tony Blair.... |
1997–2003 |
| The Lord Falconer of Thoroton Charles Falconer, Baron Falconer of Thoroton Charles Leslie Falconer, Baron Falconer of Thoroton, PC is a British Labour politician, who became the Lord Chancellor and the first Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs in 2003... |
2003–2007 |
| The Rt Hon Jack Straw MP Jack Straw (politician) John Whitaker Straw is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Blackburn since 1979. He served as Home Secretary from 1997 to 2001, Foreign Secretary from 2001 to 2006 and Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Commons from 2006 to 2007 under Tony Blair... 2 |
2007–2010 |
| The Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke QC MP Kenneth Clarke Kenneth Harry "Ken" Clarke, QC, MP is a British Conservative politician, currently Member of Parliament for Rushcliffe, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice. He was first elected to Parliament in 1970; and appointed a minister in Edward Heath's government, in 1972, and is one of... |
2010–- |
Notes:
1: Yorke, who had been associated with the opposition, was persuaded to accept appointment as Lord Chancellor and was to have been created Baron Morden. However on meeting with his erstwhile opposition colleagues he became ashamed of his action. He refused to sign the patent conferring the peerage on himself and then committed suicide.
2: Jack Straw
Jack Straw (politician)
John Whitaker Straw is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Blackburn since 1979. He served as Home Secretary from 1997 to 2001, Foreign Secretary from 2001 to 2006 and Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Commons from 2006 to 2007 under Tony Blair...
was the first person to have been a Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for the whole of his tenure of the post of Lord Chancellor, although a few previous Lord Chancellors had been MPs when appointed.