History
In 1385 Edward, Earl of Rutland, was appointed Admiral of England, uniting the offices of Admiral of the North and Admiral of the West, dating from 1294. From 1388 the offices of Admiral of the North and of the West were again distinct, though often held by the same man, until "Admirals of England" were appointed continuously from 1406. The titles "High Admiral" and "Lord Admiral" were both used, eventually combining in "Lord High Admiral". The Lord High Admiral did not originally have command at sea, but had jurisdiction over maritime affairs and the authority to establish Admiralty Court, courts of Admiralty. During the reign of Henry VIII (1509–47) the English Navy had expanded to a point where it could not be managed by a single Lord High Admiral alone, therefore day-to-day management of the navy was handed over to a committee that later became known as the Navy Board. The navy board had Samuel Pepys as one of its members during the reign of Charles II of England, Charles II (1660–85), and it ran side-by-side with the Board of Admiralty. From the early 17th century onwards, when an individual Lord High Admiral was appointed, there was also a Lord High Admirals Council, Council of the Lord High Admiral which assisted him to perform some of the duties of the British Admiralty, Admiralty. When this office was not occupied by an individual, it was "put into commission" and exercised by a Board of Admiralty headed by a First Lord of the Admiralty; this was the usual arrangement from 1709 until it was merged with the British Admiralty, Admiralty in 1832. However, the office of Lord High Admiral, which—except for brief periods during its long history—had remained extant, was not abolished as an official naval post until 1964. In 1964, the office of First Lord of the Admiralty was also abolished and the functions of the Lords Commissioners of Admiralty were transferred to the new Admiralty Board becoming a sub-committee (Navy) of the tri-service Defence Council of the United Kingdom. The ancient title of Lord High Admiral was resumed, by the British Monarch, sovereign personally. Elizabeth II held the title for the next 47 years, until in 2011 she conferred the office upon her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh to celebrate his 90th birthday. Philip had served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, but gave up a promising naval career to support Elizabeth as her consort.Current status
Upon Prince Philip's death in 2021, the holder of the office became obscure. It is unknown whether the office of Lord High Admiral reverted back to the Crown, or if it is currently vacant, in which case it remains as such until His Majesty either assumes it, or grants it upon someone else. The Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom), Ministry of Defence had confirmed they did not hold information on the issue, but suggested it had been resumed by the then Queen in right of the Crown. Upon Queen Elizabeth II's death in 2022, the office was reported to have been passed to King Charles III.List of High Admirals
High Admirals of England, Ireland 1385–1512
Lord Admirals of England, 1512–1638
Lord High Admirals of England, 1638–1707
Lord High Admirals of Great Britain, 1707–1800
Before 1707 there was an office of List of Lord High Admirals of Scotland, Lord High Admiral of Scotland. Following the Act of Union 1707, all jurisdictions were placed under the office of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain.Lord High Admirals of the United Kingdom, 1801–present
Former command flags
Tudor period
See also
*Lord High Admiral of Scotland *Lord High Admiral of the Wash *Lord High Admiral of Sweden *List of the First Lords of the AdmiraltyReferences
Sources
* Houbraken, Jacobus. Thoyras, Paul de Rapin. Vertue, George. (1747). The History of England, A List of Admirals of England (1224-1745). England. Kanpton. P and J. {{Admiralty and Marine Affairs Office Lord High Admirals, Royal Navy Royal Navy appointments Lists of English people, Lord High Admiral Lists of admirals, Lord High Admiral Lord High Admirals of England,