Great Officers of State
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Government in medieval monarchies generally comprised the king's companions, later becoming the royal household, from which the officers of state arose. These officers initially had household and gove
The Viscount Hailsham, robed as the Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain. He was the Lord High Steward at the last trial of a peer in the House of Lords.
Page from an armorial showing the arms of Emperor Frederick III, c. 1415 – c. 1493
Page from an armorial showing arms of Kaiser Maximilian I, c. 1508 – c. 1519
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 ope
Great Officers of State
…they originally fulfilled and their deputies took over the responsibilities. The office of Lord High Steward of Ireland is a hereditary position of Great Officer of State in the United Kingdom. Currently held by the Earl of Shrewsbury, it is sometimes referred to as the Hereditary Great Seneschal. While most of Ireland…
The 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley in uniform as Lord Great Chamberlain of England to Queen Elizabeth II, 1992
Sir Alan Campbell, current Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons.
Angela Smith, Baroness Smith of Basildon, current Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Lords.