Lord High Treasurer

The post of Lord High Treasurer or Lord Treasurer is an ancient English (after 1707, British) government position. The holder of the post functions as the head of Her Majesty's Treasury, and is third highest Great Officer of State. Since the brief tenure of Charles Talbot, 1st Duke of Shrewsbury in 1714, the office has been held not by a single person, but by a board of several individuals known as Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. By convention, the Prime Minister serves as the "First Lord of the Treasury," and the Chancellor of the Exchequer serves as the "Second Lord of the Treasury." Other members of the Government (usually whips in the House of Commons) are appointed to serve as the junior Lords Commissioners.

Origins

The English Treasury seems to have come into existence around 1126, during the reign of Henry I,as the financial responsibilities were separated from the rest of the job that evolved into Lord Great Chamberlain. The Treasury was originally a section of the Royal Household with custody of the King's money. In 1216, a Treasurer was appointed to take control of the Treasury in Winchester. The Treasurer was also an officer of the Exchequer, and supervised the royal accounts. By Tudor times, the Lord High Treasurer had achieved a place among the Great Officers of State, behind only two others:the Lord High Steward and the Lord Chancellor.

Related Topics:
1126 - Henry I - Lord Great Chamberlain - 1216 - Winchester - Exchequer - Tudor - Lord High Steward - Lord Chancellor

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During the sixteenth century, the Lord High Treasurer was often considered the most important official of the government, and became a de facto Prime Minister. Exemplifying the power of the Lord High Treasurer is William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, who served in the post from 1572 to 1598. During his tenure, he dominated the administration under Elizabeth I.

Related Topics:
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley - 1572 - 1598 - Elizabeth I

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