The Lord High Chancellor of Ireland (commonly known as Lord Chancellor of Ireland) was the highest judicial office in Ireland until the establishment of the

Irish Free State The Irish Free State ( ga, Saorstát Éireann, , ; 6 December 192229 December 1937) was a state established in December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty of December 1921. The treaty ended the three-year Irish War of Independence between th ...

in 1922. From 1721 to 1801, it was also the highest political office of the Irish Parliament: the Chancellor was Speaker of the

Irish House of Lords The Irish House of Lords was the upper house of the Parliament of Ireland that existed from medieval times until 1800. It was also the final court of appeal of the Kingdom of Ireland. It was modelled on the House of Lords of England, with membe ...

. The Lord Chancellor was also Lord Keeper of the

Great Seal of Ireland The Great Seal of Ireland was the seal used until 1922 by the Dublin Castle administration to authenticate important state documents in Ireland, in the same manner as the Great Seal of the Realm in England. The Great Seal of Ireland was used fr ...

. In all three respects, the office mirrored the

Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain The lord chancellor, formally the lord high chancellor of Great Britain, is the highest-ranking traditional minister among the Great Officers of State in Scotland and England in the United Kingdom, nominally outranking the prime minister. The ...

Origins

There is a good deal of confusion as to precisely when the office originated. Until the reign of

Henry III of England Henry III (1 October 1207 – 16 November 1272), also known as Henry of Winchester, was King of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine from 1216 until his death in 1272. The son of King John and Isabella of Angoulême, Henry a ...

, it is doubtful if the offices of Irish and English Chancellor were distinct. Only in 1232 is there a clear reference to a separate

Court of Chancery (Ireland) The Court of Chancery was a court which exercised equitable jurisdiction in Ireland until its abolition as part of the reform of the court system in 1877. It was the court in which the Lord Chancellor of Ireland presided. Its final sitting plac ...

. Early Irish Lord Chancellors, beginning with Stephen Ridell in 1186, were simply the English Chancellor acting through a Deputy. In about 1244 the decision was taken that there must be separate holders of the office in England and Ireland.Ball p. 8 Elrington Ball states that the salary was fixed at sixty

marks Marks may refer to: Business * Mark's, a Canadian retail chain * Marks & Spencer, a British retail chain * Collective trade marks, trademarks owned by an organisation for the benefit of its members * Marks & Co, the inspiration for the novel ...

a year, equivalent to forty

pounds sterling Sterling (abbreviation: stg; Other spelling styles, such as STG and Stg, are also seen. ISO 4217, ISO code: GBP) is the currency of the United Kingdom and nine of #Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories, its associated territori ...

. Although it was twice what an itinerant justice was paid at the time, this was apparently not considered to be a very generous amount:

Richard Northalis Richard Northalis (died 20 July 1397) was an English-born cleric and judge who spent much of his life in Ireland. He held the offices of Bishop of Ossory, Archbishop of Dublin and Lord Chancellor of Ireland. For the last decade of his life, he was ...

, Lord Chancellor 1393–97, complained that it did not cover even a third of his expenses, and asked for an extra payment of twenty pounds a year. In the earlier centuries, the Lord Chancellor was always a

cleric Clergy are formal leaders within established religions. Their roles and functions vary in different religious traditions, but usually involve presiding over specific rituals and teaching their religion's doctrines and practices. Some of the ter ...

, and usually an Englishman. Lay Chancellors became common after the

Reformation The Reformation (alternatively named the Protestant Reformation or the European Reformation) was a major movement within Western Christianity in 16th-century Europe that posed a religious and political challenge to the Catholic Church and in ...

, and no cleric was appointed Chancellor after 1665, but although there were a number of exceptions, the Crown retained a preference for English-born Chancellors until the mid-nineteenth century.

Lord Chancellors of Ireland, 1186–1922

12th century

* Stephen Ridell. Appointed in 1186.Ball p. 6 (first Chancellor). Came to Ireland in the entourage of the future King John, and was then referred to as "his Chancellor".

13th century

* John de Worchley ( 1219– 1234) *

Ralph Neville Ralph Neville (or Ralf NevillClanchy ''From Memory to Written Record'' p. 90 or Ralph de Neville; died 1244) was a medieval clergyman and politician who served as Bishop of Chichester and Lord Chancellor of England. Neville first appears in t ...

(1234–

1235 Year 1235 (Roman numerals, MCCXXXV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events * Connacht in Ireland is finally conquered by the Hiberno-Normans, Hiberno-Norman Richard Mór de Bu ...

). Also

Lord Chancellor of England The lord chancellor, formally the lord high chancellor of Great Britain, is the highest-ranking traditional minister among the Great Officers of State in Scotland and England in the United Kingdom, nominally outranking the prime minister. The ...

Bishop of Chichester The Bishop of Chichester is the ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Chichester in the Province of Canterbury. The diocese covers the counties of East and West Sussex. The see is based in the City of Chichester where the bishop's seat ...

and

Archbishop of Canterbury The archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and a principal leader of the Church of England, the ceremonial head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. The current archbishop is Justi ...

. * Alan de Sanctafide (1235– 1237) *

Geoffrey de Turville Geoffrey de Turville or de Tourville (died 1250) was an English-born judge and cleric in thirteenth century Ireland, who held office as Bishop of Ossory and Lord Chancellor of Ireland, and was noted as an extremely efficient administrator. His ...

Bishop of Ossory The Bishop of Ossory () is an Episcopal polity, episcopal title which takes its name after the ancient of Kingdom of Ossory in the Provinces of Ireland, Province of Leinster, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. In the Roman Catholic Church it remain ...

(1237) *

Ralph de Norwich Ralph (pronounced ; or ,) is a male given name of English, Scottish and Irish origin, derived from the Old English ''Rædwulf'' and Radulf, cognate with the Old Norse ''Raðulfr'' (''rað'' "counsel" and ''ulfr'' "wolf"). The most common forms ...

(1237– 1238) *

Robert Luttrell The Robert Luttrell who settled on the banks of the Liffey near Dublin at Luttrellstown, was in 1226 treasurer of St. Patrick's Cathedral and Archdeacon of Armagh, and in 1236 was Lord Chancellor of Ireland. There is mention of a Michael Luttre ...

(1238– 1245),

Archdeacon of Armagh The Archdeacon of Armagh is a senior ecclesiastical officer within the Anglican Diocese of Armagh. The Archdeacon is responsible for the disciplinary supervision of the clergy within the Diocese. History The archdeaconry can trace its histo ...

and Treasurer of

St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin Saint Patrick's Cathedral ( ir, Ard-Eaglais Naomh Pádraig) in Dublin, Ireland, founded in 1191 as a Roman Catholic cathedral, is currently the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland. Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, Christ Church Cathedr ...

. * William Welwood (1245–

1259 Year 1259 ( MCCLIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * September – Battle of Pelagonia: The Empire of Nicaea defeats the Principality of Ac ...

) *

Fromund Le Brun Fromund le Brun (died 1283) was a cleric and judge in Ireland who became Lord Chancellor of Ireland. He lost a long battle to become Archbishop of Dublin, due to his notorious pluralism (i.e his holding of multiple benefices). He also clashed b ...

(1259– 1283). He was elected Archbishop of Dublin, but his election was contested by

William de la Corner William de la Corner was a medieval Bishop of Salisbury, who fought a long but unsuccessful battle to become Archbishop of Dublin. Biography Corner was a papal chaplain and proctor as well as a royal envoy. He successively held the offices of pre ...

: the conflict lasted from 1271 to 1279.

Pope Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III ( la, Nicolaus III; c. 1225 – 22 August 1280), born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 25 November 1277 to his death on 22 August 1280. He was a Roman nobleman who ...

declared both elections void in 1279, and appointed

John de Derlington John de Derlington (John of Darlington) (died 1284) was an English Dominican, Archbishop of Dublin and theologian. Life Derlington became a Dominican friar, and it has been inferred that he studied at Paris at the Dominican priory of St Jacques ...

instead. *

Walter de Fulburn Walter de Fulburn, or de Fulbourn (died 1307) was a leading English-born statesman and cleric in medieval Ireland, who held the offices of Bishop of Waterford, Bishop of Meath and Lord Chancellor of Ireland He was born in the village of Fulbour ...

Bishop of Waterford The Bishop of Waterford was a medieval prelate, governing the Diocese of Waterford from its creation in the 11th century until it was absorbed into the new Roman Catholic Diocese of Waterford and Lismore in the 14th century. After the creation o ...

(1283– 1288). *

William de Beverley William de Beverley, Le Buerlaco, or de Burlaco (died 1289 or 1292) was a senior English Crown official and judge of the reign of King Edward I of England. He held high public office, and spent his last years in Ireland as Lord Chancellor of Irela ...

, or Le Buerlaco (1288– 1292). * Thomas Cantock,

Bishop of Emly The Bishop of Emly ( ga, Imleach Iubhair; la, Imilicensis) was a separate episcopal title which took its name after the village of Emly in County Tipperary, Republic of Ireland. In both the Church of Ireland and the Roman Catholic Church, it has ...

(1292– 1294). * Adam de Wodington. Appointed in 1294.

14th century

* Thomas Cantock,

( 1306–

1308 Year 1308 ( MCCCVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * November 13 – The Teutonic Knights capture Gdańsk by treachery – while a B ...

). The same as the above. *

Adam de Wodington Adam; el, Ἀδάμ, Adám; la, Adam is the name given in Genesis 1-5 to the first human. Beyond its use as the name of the first man, ''adam'' is also used in the Bible as a pronoun, individually as "a human" and in a collective sense as ...

(1308). The same as above. * Richard de Beresford. Deputy in 1307, Chancellor in 1308 *

Walter de Thornbury Walter de Thornbury (died 1313) was an English-born statesman and cleric in 14th century Ireland who held the office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland. His efforts to secure confirmation of his election as Archbishop of Dublin were cut short by his d ...

, died 1313: while he was travelling to

Avignon Avignon (, ; ; oc, Avinhon, label=Provençal dialect, Provençal or , ; la, Avenio) is the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Vaucluse Departments of France, department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Regions of France, region of So ...

to secure his election as Archbishop of Dublin, his ship was sunk in a storm and he drowned. * Stephen Riddel (c. 1313–1318). * William FitzJohn,

(

1318 Year 1318 ( MCCCXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * March – King Birger of Sweden is deposed, and forced to flee to Denmark (alter ...

– 1320). Later

Archbishop of Cashel The Archbishop of Cashel ( ga, Ard-Easpag Chaiseal Mumhan) was an archiepiscopal title which took its name after the town of Cashel, County Tipperary in Ireland. Following the Reformation, there had been parallel apostolic successions to the titl ...

. * Roger Utlagh, Prior of the

Order of St. John of Jerusalem The Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem ( la, Ordo Fratrum Hospitalis Sancti Ioannis Hierosolymitani), commonly known as the Knights Hospitaller (), was a medieval and early modern Catholic Church, Catholic Military ord ...

, Kilmainham. Appointed in 1321. *

Adam de Lymbergh Adam de Lymbergh (died 1339) was an English Crown official and judge of the early fourteenth century, who served two Kings with distinction. He was Lord Chancellor of Ireland, a Baron of the Exchequer and Keeper of the Privy Seal. He was born ...

(

1330 Year 1330 ( MCCCXXX) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * July 28 – Battle of Velbazhd: The Bulgarians under Tsar Michael Shishman (who is ...

–

1334 Year 1334 ( MCCCXXXIV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * July 18 – The bishop of Florence blesses the first foundational stone laid fo ...

)The history of the Lord Chancellors of Ireland from A.D. 1186 to A.D. 1874 * William, Prior of the

Kilmainham Kilmainham (, meaning " St Maighneann's church") is a south inner suburb of Dublin, Ireland, south of the River Liffey and west of the city centre. It is in the city's Dublin 8 postal district. The area was once known as Kilmanum. History In t ...

(?1331–) *

Alexander de Bicknor Alexander de Bicknor (1260s? – 14 July 1349; usually spelt "Bykenore" in original Middle English sources) was an official in the Plantagenet kingdom under Edward I of England, Edward II of England, and Edward III of England. Best known to histor ...

Primate of Ireland The Primacy of Ireland was historically disputed between the Archbishop of Armagh and the Archbishop of Dublin until finally settled by Pope Innocent VI. ''Primate'' is a title of honour denoting ceremonial precedence in the Church, and in t ...

(c. 1335 – ?1337) * Thomas Charlton, Bishop of Hereford ( 1337– 1338). * Robert de Hemmingburgh (1338–) * Robert de Askeby (

1340 Year 1340 ( MCCCXL) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events * January 26 – King Edward III of England is declared King of France. * April 8 – Marinid galleys, und ...

–) * John L'Archers, Prior of the

. Appointed in 1343. * John Morice. c. 1344-1349 *

William de Bromley William de Bromley was a 14th-century dignitary in Ireland. He was probably originally from Cheshire. He acted as an attorney to Elizabeth, Countess of Ormond. He was prebendary of Lusk, County Dublin. He was Chancellor of the Exchequer of Ir ...

Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin The Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral is the senior cleric of the Protestant St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, elected by the chapter of the cathedral. The office was created in 1219 or 1220, by one of several charters granted to the cathedral by A ...

(1346-1350) *

John de St Paul John de St Paul ( 1295 – 1362), also known as John de St. Pol, John de Owston and John de Ouston, was an English-born cleric and judge of the fourteenth century. He was Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin, Archbishop of Dublin 1349–62 and Lo ...

, Archbishop of Dublin ( 1350– 1356) * Richard d'Askeaton (1356) * John Frowyk, Prior of the

( 1357– 1359) * Thomas de Burley, Prior of the

(1359– 1364) * Robert de Ashton (1364) * Thomas le Reve,

Bishop of Waterford and Lismore The Bishop of Waterford and Lismore is an episcopal title which takes its name after the city of Waterford and town of Lismore in Ireland. The title was used by the Church of Ireland until 1838, and is still used by the Roman Catholic Church. Hi ...

( 1367- 1368) * Thomas de Burley, Prior of the

(1368–

1371 Year 1371 ( MCCCLXXI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * January – Edward, the Black Prince, gives up the administration of Aquitaine ...

), second term. *

John de Bothby John de Bothby, or Boothby ( born c.1320-died after 1382) was an English-born cleric and judge who became Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Biography Boothby was born at Boothby Pagnall in Lincolnshire, the second son of Thomas de Bothby and his wife ...

(1371–

1374 Year 1374 ( MCCCLXXIV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * April 23 – In recognition of his services, Edward III of England grants the En ...

) *

William Tany William Tany (died c.1384) was Prior of the Order of Hospitallers in Ireland; he also served as Justiciar of Ireland 1373-1374, and as Lord Chancellor of Ireland from 1374 to 1377, and again from 1382 to 1384.Archdall, Mervyn ''Monasticon Hibernicu ...

, Prior of the

(1374– 1377).Otway-Ruthven p. 302 **

John Keppock John Keppock (died 1404) was an Irish judge of the late fourteenth century, who held the offices of Lord Chief Justice of Ireland and Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer. He became a political figure of some importance. He was the son of Simon Ke ...

, Lord Keeper in the absence of William Tany to

Jerusalem Jerusalem (; he, יְרוּשָׁלַיִם ; ar, القُدس ) (combining the Biblical and common usage Arabic names); grc, Ἱερουσαλήμ/Ἰεροσόλυμα, Hierousalḗm/Hierosóluma; hy, Երուսաղեմ, Erusałēm. i ...

Robert Wikeford Robert Wikeford or de Wikeford (c.1320 – 29 August 1390) was an English-born diplomat, lawyer and judge, who became Lord Chancellor of Ireland and Archbishop of Dublin. Early career He was born at Wickford in Essex, to the de Wickford o ...

or de Wikeford, Archbishop of Dublin and

(1377– 1379) * John Colton, Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral(1379– 1382). Later Archbishop of Armagh. *

, Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (1382–1385). The same as above. *

Ralph Cheyne Sir Ralph Cheyne (c. 1337 – 1400) (''alias'' Cheney), of Brooke, in the parish of Westbury in Wiltshire, was three times a Member of Parliament for Wiltshire and was Deputy Justiciar of Ireland in 1373 and Lord Chancellor of Ireland 1383� ...

( 1383-4) *

Alexander de Balscot Alexander de Balscot, also known as Alexander Petit (died 1400) was one of the leading Irish clerics of the late fourteenth century, who held the offices of Bishop of Ossory, Bishop of Meath, Treasurer of Ireland and Lord Chancellor of Ireland. ...

( 1385– 1388).Ball p. 98 *

Robert Preston, 1st Baron Gormanston Robert Preston, 1st Baron Gormanston (died 1396) was an Anglo-Irish nobleman, statesman and judge of the fourteenth century. He held several senior judicial offices including, for a brief period, that of Lord Chancellor of Ireland. He was the foun ...

1388 *

Richard Plunkett Richard Plunkett (c.1340-1393) was an eminent Irish judge and statesman of the fourteenth century, who held the offices of Lord Chief Justice of Ireland and Lord Chancellor of Ireland. His descendants held the titles Baron Dunsany, Baron Killeen ...

(1388– 1393) *

(1393– 1397). Also Archbishop of Dublin and

from 1395 to his death. *

Robert Braybrooke Robert Braybrooke was a medieval Dean of Salisbury and Bishop of London. Biography Braybrooke was the son of Sir Gerard Braybrooke of Horsenden, Buckinghamshire & Colmworth, Bedfordshire and his wife, Isabella, the daughter of Sir Roger Dakeny ...

Bishop of London A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or office of bishop is ca ...

(1397)

15th century

Thomas Cranley Thomas Cranley DD a.k.a. Thomas Craule ( c.1340–1417) was a leading statesman, judge and cleric in early fifteenth-century Ireland, who held the offices of Chancellor of Oxford University, Archbishop of Dublin and Lord Chancellor of Irela ...

(

1401 Year 1401 ( MCDI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * January 6 – Rupert, King of Germany, is crowned King of the Romans at Cologne. * ...

– 1410) ** Sir Laurence Merbury, Deputy Chancellor (1403–1410), who exercised the duties of Chancellor while Cranley was too ill to do so. ** Roger Hawkenshaw, acted as Deputy for Cranley in 1416, when he was again incapacitated by illness. *

Patrick Barrett Patrick Barrett (died 10 November 1415) was an Irishman who held religious and secular high offices in Ireland. Biography Patrick Barrett was an Augustinian Canon at Kells Priory in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ossory, County Kilkenny. He s ...

Bishop of Ferns The Bishop of Ferns () is an episcopal title which takes its name after the village of Ferns in County Wexford, Ireland. In the Roman Catholic Church it remains a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with other bishopr ...

(1410–1412) *

Thomas Le Boteller Thomas Le Boteller, or Thomas Butler, nicknamed Thomas ''Bacach'' i.e. ''Thomas the Lame'' (before 1386 – 1420), was the illegitimate son of the 3rd Earl of Ormond, and a leading political figure in early fifteenth-century Ireland. He held the o ...

, Prior of Kilmainham. Lord Keeper (1412–1413). The name of his family would change to

Butler A butler is a person who works in a house serving and is a domestic worker in a large household. In great houses, the household is sometimes divided into departments with the butler in charge of the dining room, wine cellar, and pantry. Some a ...

. **

Robert Sutton Robert Sutton may refer to: Politicians *Robert Sutton (died 1414), MP for Lincoln * Robert Sutton (MP for Derby), see Derby * Robert Dudley alias Sutton (died 1539), MP *Robert Sutton, 1st Baron Lexinton (1594–1668), Member of Parliament for No ...

, Deputy Chancellor ( 1412–1413) *

(

1413 Year 1413 ( MCDXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * March 21 – Henry V becomes King of England following the death of his father Henry ...

–1417) (second term) * Sir Laurence Merbury ( 1417) (second term) *

William Fitz Thomas William Fitz Thomas () was Prior of the Hospitallers at Kilmainham from 1420 to 1438. He succeeded Thomas Le Boteller, who died on military service in France in 1420. Even before he became Prior he was clearly a judge and statesman of some impo ...

, Prior of Kilmainham (c. 1417–1418) * William Yonge, or Young,

Archdeacon of Meath The archdeacon of Meath is a senior ecclesiastical officer within the united Diocese of Meath and Kildare. The archdeaconry can trace its history from Helias, the first known incumbent, who held the office in the twelfth century to the last dis ...

(c. 1418–1419) * Richard Talbot,

( 1423–1426) *

( 1426) (second term) * Sir

Richard FitzEustace Sir Richard FitzEustace (c.1380–1445) was an Irish statesman who twice held the office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Family background He was born about 1380 in Coghlanstown, County Kildare. His father was Sir Maurice FitzEustace, High Sh ...

(1426) * Richard Talbot,

(1426–1441) *

Thomas Chase Thomas Chase (died 1449) was a 15th-century judge and cleric who was Chancellor of the University of Oxford, and subsequently held the office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Chase was Warden of the Hospital of St Bartholomew near Rye in 1420 a ...

( 1441–1446) *

Richard Wogan Richard Wogan (died after 1453) was an Irish judge and cleric who held the office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland, and also served as a soldier. He was born in County Kildare, a member of the Wogan family of Rathcoffey Castle, which produced se ...

( 1446–1449), Lord Chancellor ** William Chevir (1446–1449), Deputy Chancellor * Walter Devereux (

1449 Year 1449 (Roman numerals, MCDXLIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * January 6 – Constantine XI Palaiologos is crowned Byzantine Emp ...

–1451) * Edmund, Earl of Rutland ( 1451–1460). Lord Chancellor, a minor who acted through Edmund Oldhall. **

Edmund Oldhall Edmund Oldhall (after 1390 – 1459) was an English-born cleric and judge in fifteenth-century Ireland. He was Bishop of Meath and acting Lord Chancellor of Ireland. He was a brother of the leading Yorkist statesman Sir William Oldhall. He wa ...

(1451–1454),

Bishop of Meath The Bishop of Meath is an episcopal title which takes its name after the ancient Kingdom of Meath. In the Roman Catholic Church it remains as a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with another bishopric. History Unt ...

, Deputy Chancellor, who exercised the duties of the office of Chancellor since Rutland was underage ** John Talbot, later 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury (

1454 Year 1454 ( MCDLIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * February 4 – Thirteen Years' War: The Secret Council of the Prussian Confederatio ...

–1460). Deputy Chancellor, exercised the duties of the office. * John Dynham ( 1460–1461), Lord Chancellor ** Sir Robert Preston, 1st Viscount Gormanston, Deputy Chancellor * Sir William Welles ( 1461–1462) *

John Tiptoft, 1st Earl of Worcester John Tiptoft, 1st Earl of Worcester KG (8 May 1427 – 18 October 1470), was an English nobleman and scholar who served as Lord High Treasurer, Lord High Constable of England and Lord Deputy of Ireland. He was known as "the Butcher of Englan ...

(

1462 Year 1462 ( MCDLXII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * March 27 – Ivan III of Russia becomes the ruler of Russia, following the death ...

–1463). By decree of

Edward IV of England Edward IV (28 April 1442 – 9 April 1483) was King of England from 4 March 1461 to 3 October 1470, then again from 11 April 1471 until his death in 1483. He was a central figure in the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars in England ...

, he held the title of Lord Chancellor for life. He continued receiving the salary of the position and exercising some of its functions until his death in 1470. *

Thomas FitzGerald, 7th Earl of Kildare Thomas FitzJohn FitzGerald, 7th Earl of Kildare ( – 25 March 1477), was an Irish peer and statesman of the fifteenth century who held the office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Background Kildare was the son of John Fitzmaurice FitzGerald, 6th ...

(c. 1463 – 1468). By decree of

, he held the title of Lord Chancellor for life. He continued receiving the salary of the position and exercising some of its functions until his death in 1478. * Robert Allanstown (

1468 Year 1468 ( MCDLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December *June 30 – Catherine Cornaro is married by proxy to James II of Cyprus, beginning ...

–1469) * William Dudley ( 1469–1472) * Joint Lord Chancellors of Ireland (

1472 Year 1472 ( MCDLXXII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * February 20 – Orkney and Shetland are returned by Norway to Scotland, as a resul ...

–1477) **

Robert FitzEustace Sir Robert FitzEustace (c.1420–1486) was an Irish landowner and politician of the fifteenth century. He was born at Coghlanstown, County Kildare, son of Sir Richard FitzEustace, who served briefly as Lord Chancellor of Ireland, and Katherine ...

** John Taxton *

Gilbert Debenham Sir Gilbert Debenham (junior) (1432–1500) was an English knight, politician and soldier who served briefly as Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Although, like his father before him, he had a notorious reputation for lawlessness, he flourished in th ...

( 1474) *

Rowland FitzEustace, 1st Baron Portlester Rowland FitzEustace, 1st Baron Portlester (c. 1430 – 19 December 1496) was an Irish peer, statesman and judge. He was one of the dominant political figures in late fifteenth-century Ireland, rivalled in influence probably only by his son-in-law ...

(1474–1479)Otway-Ruthven p. 389 * William Sherwood,

( 1480–1482) *

Walter Champfleur Walter Champfleur or de Champfleur (died 1498 or 1499) was an Irish cleric and judge of the fifteenth century, who played a leading role in Irish politics.Ball p.186 He was probably a Dubliner, and had cousins living near Dublin city. He was Abbo ...

, Abbot of St Mary's Abbey, Dublin (Lord Keeper, or by some accounts Lord Chancellor 1479 and 1482-1483)Ball p.186 *

Robert St Lawrence, 3rd Baron Howth Robert St Lawrence, 3rd Baron Howth (born c.1435 – died before 1488) was a leading statesman in 15th-century Ireland who held the office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Through his second marriage, he was a close connection to the new Tudor dyna ...

(May 1483, but probably died a few months later) * Sir

Thomas FitzGerald of Laccagh Sir Thomas FitzGerald of Laccagh (c.1458–1487) was an Irish lawyer, statesman and soldier who was Lord Chancellor of Ireland under Richard III and Henry VII, but rebelled against Henry and was killed at the Battle of Stoke.Ball, F. Elringto ...

(c.1483 – 1487) *

( 1487–1492). The same as above. * Alexander Plunket ( 1492–1494) * Henry Deane, later

(

1494 Year 1494 ( MCDXCIV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * January 4 – The Cetinje Octoechos (Цетињски октоих, an Eastern O ...

–1495) * Walter Fitzsimon,

( 1496– 1511)

16th century

William Rokeby William Rokeby (died 29 November 1521) was a leading statesman and cleric in early sixteenth-century Ireland, who held the offices of Bishop of Meath, Archbishop of Dublin and Lord Chancellor of Ireland. He is commemorated in the Rokeby Chapels ...

( 1512– 1513) * Sir William Compton (1513– 1515) *

(1515– 1521). The same as above. * Hugh Inge,

( 1522–

1528 __NOTOC__ Year 1528 ( MDXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–June * January 12 – Gustav I of Sweden is crowned king of Sweden, having alrea ...

) *

John Alen John Alen (1476 – 28 July 1534) was an English priest and canon lawyer, whose later years were spent in Ireland. He held office as Archbishop of Dublin and Lord Chancellor of Ireland, and was a member of the Privy Council of Ireland. In the lat ...

(1528–1532) *

George Cromer George Cromer (died 16 March 1542) was Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland in the reign of Henry VIII of England, from 1521/2. He was English by birth, a descendant of the Cromer (also spelt Crowemer) family of Tunstall, Kent and ...

, Archbishop of Armagh (1532–1534) *

John Barnewall, 3rd Baron Trimlestown John Barnewall, 3rd Baron Trimleston (1470-25 July 1538), was an Irish nobleman, judge and politician. He was the eldest son of Christopher Barnewall, 2nd Baron Trimlestown and his wife Elizabeth Plunket, daughter of Sir Thomas Fitz-Christopher Pl ...

(1534–1538) * Sir

John Alan Sir John Alan (also spelt Alen or Alleyn; c. 1500 – 1561) was a leading English-born statesman in sixteenth century Ireland. He was a member of the Irish House of Commons, and held the offices of Master of the Rolls in Ireland, Chancellor of the ...

(1538–1546, 1548–1551). Lord Keeper from 1538 to 1539, Lord Chancellor from 1539 to 1546: removed but later reinstated. * Sir Thomas Cusack 1 May 1546 (Lord Keeper)Ball p. 130 * Sir

Richard Reade Sir Richard Reade (1511–1576) was an English-born judge in sixteenth-century Ireland, who held the office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Background and early career He was born at Nether Wallop in Hampshire, second son of Richard Reade (die ...

(6 December 1546 – 1548) * Sir

(1548–1551) * Sir Thomas Cusack (1551–1554) * Sir William Fitzwilliam, Lord Keeper (1554) * Archbishop Hugh Curwen (1555–1567). Lord Chancellor from 1555 to 1558, Lord Keeper from 1558 to 1559, Lord Chancellor from 1559 to 1567. * Doctor Robert Weston, Dean of the Arches (1567–1573) * Archbishop Adam Loftus (Lord Keeper) (1573–1576)Ball p. 131 * Sir

William Gerard Sir William Gerard (1518–1581) was an Elizabethan statesman, who had a distinguished record of government service in England, Wales and most notably in Ireland. He sat in the House of Commons for Chester for many years, and was Vice-President ...

(1576–1581) * Archbishop Adam Loftus (1581–1605) the same as the above.

17th century

* Commissioners of the Great Seal of Ireland (1605) ** Thomas Jones,

** Sir James Ley LCJ ** Sir Edmund Pelham LCB ** Sir Anthony St Leger MR * Archbishop Thomas Jones (1605–1619) * Commissioners of the Great Seal of Ireland (1619) **

Sir William Jones Sir William Jones (28 September 1746 – 27 April 1794) was a British philologist, a puisne judge on the Supreme Court of Judicature at Fort William in Bengal, and a scholar of ancient India. He is particularly known for his proposition of th ...

LCJ ** Sir William Methold LCB ** Sir Francis Aungier MR * The Viscount Loftus (1619–1639) * Sir Richard Bolton (1639 – November 1648) * Commissioners of the Great Seal of Ireland (14 June 1655−1656) **

Richard Pepys Sir Richard Pepys (2 July 1589 – 2 January 1659) was an English lawyer and politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1640 and was Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. He was a great-uncle of Samuel Pepys, the diarist. Pepys was born at Bunstead ...

LCJ, Chief Commissioner (1655–1656) ** Gerard Lowther LCJCP, Second Commissioner (1655–1656) **

Miles Corbet Miles Corbet (1595–1662) was an English politician, recorder of Yarmouth and Regicide. Life He was the son of Sir Thomas Corbet of Sprowston, Norfolk and the younger brother of Sir John Corbet, 1st Baronet, MP for Great Yarmouth from 16 ...

LCB, Third Commissioner (1655–1656) * William Steele (1656–1660) *

Sir Maurice Eustace Sir Maurice Eustace (c. 1590 – 22 June 1665) was an Irish landowner, politician, barrister and judge of the seventeenth century who spent the last years of his career as Lord Chancellor of Ireland. This was an office for which he felt himself to ...

(1660–1665) * Archbishop Michael Boyle (1665–1686) * Sir Charles Porter (1686–1687) * Sir Alexander Fitton (1687–1690) * Commissioners of the Great Seal of Ireland (1690) ** Sir Richard Pyne (1690) ** Sir Richard Ryves (1690) ** Robert Rochfort (1690) * Charles Porter (second term) (29 December 1690 – 1696) * Commissioners of the Great Seal of Ireland (1696–1697) ** Sir John Jeffreyson ** Thomas Coote **

Nehemiah Donnellan Nehemiah Donnellan (a.k.a. Fearganainm Ó Domhnalláin) (fl. c. 1560-1609) was Archbishop of Tuam. Background Donellan was born in the county of Galway, a son of Mael Sechlainn Ó Dónalláin, by his wife Sisly, daughter of William Ó Cellaigh o ...

* John Methuen (11 March 1697 – 1703)

18th century

* Sir Richard Cox (1703–1707) * Richard Freeman (11 June 1707 – 1710) * Commissioners of the Great Seal of Ireland (1710–1) ** The Earl of Kildare ** Archbishop William King **

Thomas Keightley Thomas Keightley (17 October 1789 – 4 November 1872) was an Irish writer known for his works on mythology and folklore, particularly ''Fairy Mythology'' (1828), later reprinted as ''The World Guide to Gnomes, Fairies, Elves, and Other Little ...

* Sir Constantine Henry Phipps (22 January 1711 – September 1714) * The Viscount Midleton (11 October 1714 – 1725) * Richard West (29 May 1725 – 1726)Ball Vol. 2 p. 101 * The Lord Wyndham (13 December 1726 – 1739) * The Viscount Jocelyn (7 September 1739 – 3 December 1756) * The Lord Bowes (11 March 1757 – 22 July 1767) (Attorney-General, 1739–41) * The Viscount Lifford (24 November 1767 – 28 April 1789) * Commissioners of the Great Seal of Ireland (1789) ** Archbishop Robert Fowler **

Hugh Carleton Hugh Francis Carleton (3 July 1810 – 14 July 1890) was New Zealand's first member of parliament. Early life Carleton was born in 1810. He was the son of Francis Carleton (1780–1870) and Charlotte Margaretta Molyneux-Montgomerie (d. 1874). ...

LCJCP ** Sir Samuel Bradstreet * The Earl of Clare (20 June 1789 – 28 January 1802) (sitting Attorney-General)

19th century

* The Lord Redesdale (15 February 1802 – 1806) *

George Ponsonby George Ponsonby (5 March 17558 July 1817), was a British lawyer and Whig politician. He served as Lord Chancellor of Ireland from 1806 to 1807 in the Ministry of All the Talents. Background and education Ponsonby was the second surviving so ...

(25 March 1806 – 1807) * The Lord Manners (23 April 1807 – 1827) * Sir Anthony Hart (5 November 1827– November 1830) * The Lord Plunket (23 December 1830 – November 1834) (Attorney-General, 1805–07 and 1822–27) * Sir Edward Sugden (13 January 1835 – April 1835) * The Lord Plunket (30 April 1835 – 1841) (see above) * The Lord Campbell (22 June 1841) * Sir Edward Sugden (3 October 1841 – 1846) (see above) *

Maziere Brady Sir Maziere Brady, 1st Baronet, PC (Ire) (20 July 1796 – 13 April 1871) was an Irish judge, notable for his exceptionally long, though not particularly distinguished tenure as Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Background Brady was born at his parent ...

(16 July 1846 – 1852) (Attorney-General, 1839–40) *

Francis Blackburne Francis Blackburne PC (Ire) KS (11 November 1782 – 17 September 1867) was an Irish judge and eventually became Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Background Born at Great Footstown in County Meath, he was the son of Richard Blackburne of Great Foo ...

(1852) (Attorney-General 1831-34 and 1841–42) *

(1852–1858) (see above)Delaney p. 29 * Sir Joseph Napier (1858–1859) (Attorney-General, 1852) *

(1859–1866) (see above) *

(1866–1867) (see above) *

Abraham Brewster Abraham Brewster PC (Ire) (April 1796 – 26 July 1874) was an Irish judge and Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Background and education Brewster was born at Ballinulta, the son of William Bagenal Brewster, of Ballinulta, County Wicklow, by his wife ...

(Attorney-General, 1853–55) (1867–1868) * The Lord O'Hagan (1868–1874)Delaney p. 177 * Commissioners of the Great Seal of Ireland (1874–1875) ** Sir Joseph Napier, Chief Commissioner (1874–1875) **

James Anthony Lawson James Anthony Lawson, Privy Council of Ireland, PC (Ire), Queen's Counsel, QC (1817–1887) was an Irish academic, lawyer and judge. Background and education Lawson was born in Waterford. He was the eldest son of James Lawson and Mary Anthony, da ...

(1874–1875) ** William Brooke (1874–1875) * John Ball (1875–1880) (sitting Attorney-General) * The Lord O'Hagan (1880–1881) (see above) *

Hugh Law Hugh Law, PC (Ire), QC (19 June 1818 – 10 September 1883) was an Irish lawyer, politician and Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Born in County Down, son of John Law of Woodlawn and Margaret Crawley of Cullaville, Law was educated at the Roya ...

(1881–1883) (sitting Attorney-General) * Sir Edward Sullivan (1883–1885) (Attorney-General, 1868) *

John Naish John Naish, Privy Council of Ireland, PC (Ire), King's Counsel, QC (15 August 1841 – 17 August 1890) was an Irish lawyer and judge, who held a number of senior offices, including Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Early life Born in Limerick on 15 Au ...

(1885) (sitting Attorney-General) * The Lord Ashbourne (1885–1886) (Attorney-General, 1877–80)Healy, Maurice ''The Old Munster Circuit'' 1939 Mercier Press edition p. 27 *

(1886) (see above) * The Lord Ashbourne (1886–1892) (see above)Healy p. 27 * Samuel Walker (1892–1895) (Attorney-General, February–August 1886) * The Lord Ashbourne (29 June 1895 – 1905) (see above)

20th century

References

External links

* * * {{Dublin Castle administration * Political office-holders in pre-partition Ireland

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

Legislative speakers in Ireland