Lord High Steward

The position of Lord High Steward of England, not to be confused with the Lord Steward, a court functionary, is the first of the Great Officers of State. Although initially the position was largely an honorary one, over time it grew in importance until its holder became one of the most powerful men of the kingdom. From the late 12th century, the office was considered to be bound with the Earldom of Leicester. When the House of Lancaster ascended the throne in 1399, Henry IV made his second son, Thomas of Lancaster, Duke of Clarence, Lord High Steward, but following the latter's death in 1421 the office has generally remained vacant, except at coronations and during the trial of peers, when the Lord High Steward presides. In general, the Lord Chancellor was appointed to act as Lord High Steward in the latter situation. The trial of peers by their peers in the House of Lords was abolished in 1948.

Lord High Stewards of England at coronations, 1422-present

• incomplete
• The Duke of Buckingham 1509
• The Lord Russell 1547
• The Earl of Derby 1553
• incomplete
• The Duke of Ormonde 1661
• The Duke of Ormonde 1685
• The Earl of Devonshire 1689
• The Duke of Devonshire 1702
• The Duke of Grafton 1714
• The Duke of Dorset 1727
• The Earl Talbot 1761
• The Marquess of Anglesey 1821
• The Duke of Hamilton 1831
• The Duke of Hamilton 1838
• The Duke of Marlborough 1902
• The Duke of Northumberland 1911
• The Marquess of Salisbury 1937
• The Viscount Cunningham 1953