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

Irish Free State The Irish Free State (6 December 192229 December 1937), also known by its Irish-language, Irish name ( , ), was a State (polity), state established in December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty of December 1921. The treaty ended the three-ye ...

in 1922. From 1721 until the end of 1800, 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 the end of 1800. It was also the final court of appeal of the Kingdom of Ireland. It was modelled on the House of Lords of Englan ...

. The Lord Chancellor was also Lord Keeper of the

Great Seal of Ireland The Great Seal of Ireland was the Seal (emblem), 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 Irela ...

. In all three respects, the office mirrored the

Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain The Lord Chancellor, formally titled Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, is a senior minister of the Crown within the Government of the United Kingdom. The lord chancellor is the minister of justice for England and Wales and the highest-ra ...

Rt Hon John Methuen as Lord Chancellor of Ireland - by Adrien Carpentiers

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 John, King of England, King John and Isabella of Ang ...

, 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 A collective trademark, collective trade mark, or collective mark is a trademark owned by an organization (such ...

a year, equivalent to forty

pounds sterling Sterling (Currency symbol, symbol: Pound sign, £; ISO 4217, currency code: GBP) is the currency of the United Kingdom and nine of its associated territories. The pound is the main unit of account, unit of sterling, and the word ''Pound (cu ...

. Although it was twice what an itinerant justice was paid at the time, it was apparently not considered to be a very generous amount: Richard Northalis, 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 his case, it is thought that the hostility of his colleagues in government was responsible for the poor salary. 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, also known as the Protestant Reformation or the European Reformation, was a time of major Theology, theological movement in Western Christianity in 16th-century Europe that posed a religious and political challenge to the p ...

, 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 John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second E ...

, and was then referred to as "his Chancellor".

13th century

* John de Worchley (

1219 Year 1219 ( MCCXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. Events By place Fifth Crusade * February – Pelagius orders the Crusader army to prepare an attack against the Egyptians but is unsuccessful beca ...

–

1234 Year 1234 ( MCCXXXIV) was a common year starting on Sunday (full calendar displayed in the link) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * King Canute II of Sweden ("the Tall") dies after a five-year reign. His rival, Eric XI (" ...

) *

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 th ...

(1234–

1235 Year 1235 ( MCCXXXV) was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. Events * Connacht in Ireland is finally conquered by the Hiberno-Norman Richard Mór de Burgh; Felim Ua Conchobair is expelled. * A general inquisition begins ...

). Also

Lord Chancellor The Lord Chancellor, formally titled Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, is a senior minister of the Crown within the Government of the United Kingdom. The lord chancellor is the minister of justice for England and Wales and the highest-ra ...

of England,

Bishop of Chichester The Bishop of Chichester is the Ordinary (officer), ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Chichester in the Province of Canterbury. The diocese covers the counties of East Sussex, East and West Sussex. The Episcopal see, see is based in t ...

and

Archbishop of Canterbury The archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and a principal leader of the Church of England, the Primus inter pares, ceremonial head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the bishop of the diocese of Canterbury. The first archbishop ...

. * Alan de Sanctafide (1235–

1237 Year 1237 ( MCCXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * Summer – Emperor Frederick II assembles an expeditionary force (some 15,000 men) to crush the rebellious Lombard L ...

) *

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 c ...

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, Ireland. In the Catholic Church it remains a separate title, but i ...

(1237) *

Ralph de Norwich Ralph de Norwich (c.1180–1259) was an English-born cleric, judge and Crown servant to King John and King Henry III, much of whose career was spent in Ireland, where he held office as Lord Chancellor of Ireland for several years.Ball, p.48. He wa ...

(1237–

1238 Year 1238 ( MCCXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. Events By place Mongol Empire * January 15– 20 – Siege of Moscow: The Mongols under Batu Khan and Subutai campaign across the northern ...

), same as below *

Robert Luttrell The Robert Luttrell who settled on the banks of the Liffey near Dublin at Luttrellstown, was in 1226 made treasurer of St. Patrick's Cathedral and Archdeacon of Armagh, and in 1236 was appointed Lord Chancellor of Ireland which office he held u ...

(1238–

1245 Year 1245 ( MCCXLV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * Winter – Siege of Jaén: Castilian forces under King Ferdinand III (the Saint) besiege the Moorish-held city of Jaén. ...

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 history ...

and Treasurer of

St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin Saint Patrick's Cathedral () in Dublin, Ireland is the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland. Christ Church Cathedral, also a Church of Ireland cathedral in Dublin, is designated as the local cathedral of the Diocese of Dublin and Glen ...

. * William Welwood (1245–

1246 Year 1246 ( MCCXLVI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * February 28 – Siege of Jaén: Castilian forces, led by King Ferdinand III (the Saint), manage to take the city of Jaé ...

) *

(1249-1256). He was elected

Archbishop of Dublin The Archbishop of Dublin () is an Episcopal polity, archiepiscopal title which takes its name from Dublin, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Since the Reformation in Ireland, Reformation, there have been parallel apostolic successions to the title: ...

in 1256, but his election was quashed by the Pope, on the grounds of his "secular" lifestyle and closeness to King Henry III. He surrendered the

in 1356, returned to England and became a judge there. * Fromund Le Brun (1259–

1283 Year 1283 ( MCCLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * June 1 – Treaty of Rheinfelden: The 11-year-old Rudolf II is forced to relinquish his claim on the Duchies of Austr ...

). He was elected Archbishop of Dublin, but his election was contested by William de la Corner: the conflict lasted from 1271 to 1279.

Pope Nicholas III Pope Nicholas III (; Wiktionary:circa, 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 h ...

declared both elections void in 1279, and appointed

John de Derlington John de Derlington (John of Darlington) (died 1284) was an English Dominican Order, Dominican, Archbishop of Dublin (Roman Catholic), Archbishop of Dublin and theologian. Life Derlington became a Dominican friar, and it has been inferred that he ...

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 of ...

(1283–

1288 Year 1288 ( MCCLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * A civil war breaks out on Gotland between the burghers of Visby and the rural farmers of Gotland; while the exact reason ...

). * William de Beverley, or Le Buerlaco (1288–

1292 Year 1292 ( MCCXCII) was a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. Events By place Asia * Shanghai County is established. * Kublai Khan sends a Mongol expeditionary force (some 20,000 men) to Java. He collects an invasio ...

). * Thomas Cantock,

Bishop of Emly The Bishop of Emly (; ) was a separate episcopal title which took its name after the village of Emly in County Tipperary, Ireland. In both the Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland, it has been united with other sees. History The monaste ...

(1292–

1294 Year 1294 ( MCCXCIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. Events Asia * February 18 – Kublai Khan dies; by this time the separation of the four khanates of the Mongol Empire (the Chagatai Khanate in Central Asia ...

). * Adam de Wodington. Appointed in 1294.

14th century

* Thomas Cantock,

(

1306 Year 1306 ( MCCCVI) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. Events January – March * January 3 – Deshou Khan, the only son of Chinese Emperor Chengzong of the Yuan dynasty ( Temür Khan) dies, leaving the M ...

– 1308). The same as the above. * Adam de Wodington (1308). The same as above. *

Richard de Beresford Richard de Beresford or Bereford (died after 1318) was an English-born cleric and judge who held high political office in Ireland in the early fourteenth century as Lord High Treasurer of Ireland and Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Early career Elr ...

. Deputy in 1307, Chancellor in 1308 * Walter de Thornbury, died

1313 Year 1313 ( MCCCXIII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. Events January – March * January 8 – King Robert the Bruce of Scotland recaptures Perth Castle from the English, then orders the walls and the bui ...

: while he was travelling to

Avignon Avignon (, , ; or , ; ) is the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. Located on the left bank of the river Rhône, the Communes of France, commune had a ...

to secure his election as

, his ship was sunk in a storm and he

drowned Drowning is a type of Asphyxia, suffocation induced by the submersion of the mouth and nose in a liquid. Submersion injury refers to both drowning and near-miss incidents. Most instances of fatal drowning occur alone or in situations where othe ...

. * Stephen Riddel (c. 1313–1318). *

William FitzJohn William Fitzjohn (died 15 September 1326) was a leading prelate in early fourteenth-century Ireland. He held the offices of Bishop of Ossory, Archbishop of Cashel, and Lord Chancellor of Ireland. He is chiefly remembered now for building the to ...

( 1318–

1320 Year 1320 ( MCCCXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. Events January – March * January 5 – Henry III, Count of Gorizia, arrives in Padua as the Imperial Vicar with a large army, promising protection t ...

). Later

Archbishop of Cashel The Archbishop of Cashel () 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 title: one in the Catholic Church ...

. * Roger Utlagh, Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem,

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. History Origins Kilmainham's foundation dates ...

. 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 Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal.Ball p.70 ...

(

1330 Year 1330 ( MCCCXXX) was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * July 28 – Battle of Velbazhd: The Bulgarians under Tsar Michael Shishman (who is mortally wounded) are beaten by the ...

–

1334 Year 1334 ( MCCCXXXIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * July 18 – The bishop of Florence blesses the first foundational stone laid for the new ''campanile'' (bell tower) ...

) Burke, Oliver The history of the Lord Chancellors of Ireland from A.D. 1186 to A.D. 1874 Dublin E. Ponsonby 1879 * William, Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Kilmainham (?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 histo ...

Primate of Ireland The Primacy of Ireland belongs to the diocesan bishop of the Irish diocese with highest Order of precedence, precedence. The Archbishop of Armagh is titled Primate of All Ireland and the Archbishop of Dublin Primate of Ireland, signifying that t ...

(c.

1335 Year 1335 ( MCCCXXXV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * May 2 – Otto the Merry, Duke of Austria, becomes Duke of Carinthia. * July 30 – Battle of Boroughmuir: Joh ...

– ?1337) * Thomas Charlton,

Bishop of Hereford The Bishop of Hereford is the Ordinary (officer), ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Hereford in the Province of Canterbury. Until 1534, the Diocese of Hereford was in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church and two of its bishop ...

(

1337 Year 1337 ( MCCCXXXVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * March 16 – Edward, the Black Prince establishes the Duchy of Cornwall, becoming the first English Duke. * May 24 ...

–

1338 Year 1338 ( MCCCXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. Events * October 5 – Hundred Years' War, English Channel naval campaign: Southampton is destroyed. Date unknown * Hundred Years' War: Louis IV, Ho ...

). * Robert de Hemmingburgh (1338–) * Robert de Askeby (

1340 Year 1340 ( MCCCXL) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. Events * January 26 – King Edward III of England declares himself King of France at Ghent, Flanders. * March 6 – Bohemian Crusade: The Church auth ...

–) * John L'Archers, Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. Appointed in

1343 Year 1343 ( MCCCXLIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * January 14 – Arnošt of Pardubice becomes the last bishop of Prague and, subsequently, the first Archbishop of P ...

. * John Morice. c. 1344-1349 *

William de Bromley William de Bromley (died c.1370) was a 14th-century dignitary and Crown official 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 ...

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 Archbishop of Dublin 1349–62 and Lord Chancellor of Ireland 1350–56. He ...

, Archbishop of Dublin (

1350 Year 1350 ( MCCCL) was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * January 9 – Giovanni II Valente becomes Doge of Genoa. * May 23 (possible date) – Hook and Cod wars in the Cou ...

–

1356 Year 1356 ( MCCCLVI) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * January 20 – Edward Balliol surrenders his title as King of Scotland, to Edward III of England. * ca. February – ...

) * Richard d'Askeaton (1356) * John Frowyk, Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (

1357 Year 1357 ( MCCCLVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * February 3 – The Estates General in France meets and passes Étienne Marcel's Great Ordinance in an attempt to impo ...

–

1359 Year 1359 ( MCCCLIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * May 25 – The French States-General repudiates the terms of the Second Treaty of London, signed earlier in the year ...

) * Thomas de Burley, Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (1359–

1364 Year 1364 (Roman numerals, MCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * February 15 – Joint kings Magnus IV of Sweden, Magnus Eriksson and Haakon VI of Norway, Haakon Magnusson ...

) * 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 Order of St. John of Jerusalem (1368–

1371 Year 1371 ( MCCCLXXI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * January – Edward, the Black Prince, gives up the administration of Aquitaine and returns to England, because of hi ...

), 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) *

William Tany William Tany or Tani (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 ...

, Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (1374–

1377 Year 1377 ( MCCCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * January – Battle of Đồ Bàn: Trần Duệ Tông, Trần dynasty Emperor of Đại Việt (Vietnam), is kille ...

).Otway-Ruthven p. 302 ** John Keppock, Lord Keeper in the absence of William Tany to

Jerusalem Jerusalem is a city in the Southern Levant, on a plateau in the Judaean Mountains between the Mediterranean Sea, Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. It is one of the List of oldest continuously inhabited cities, oldest cities in the world, and ...

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 (Roman Catholic), Archbishop of Dublin. Early career He was born at Wic ...

or de Wikeford, Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland (1377– 1379) * John Colton, Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral (1379–

1382 Year 1382 ( MCCCLXXXII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * January 20 – Princess Anne of Bohemia, a daughter of the late Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor, becomes the Queen ...

). Later

Archbishop of Armagh The Archbishop of Armagh is an Episcopal polity, archiepiscopal title which takes its name from the Episcopal see, see city of Armagh in Northern Ireland. Since the Reformation in Ireland, Reformation, there have been parallel apostolic success ...

. *

, Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (1382–1385). The same as above. * Ralph Cheyne ( 1383-4) *

Alexander de Balscot Alexander () is a male name of Greek origin. The most prominent bearer of the name is Alexander the Great, the king of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia who created one of the largest empires in ancient history. Variants listed here are A ...

, Bishop of Ossory (

1385 Year 1385 ( MCCCLXXXV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * July 17 – Charles VI of France marries Isabeau of Bavaria; the wedding is celebrated with France's first court ball ...

–

1388 Year 1388 ( MCCCLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * February – The entire court of Richard II of England are convicted of treason ...

).Ball p. 98 * Robert Preston, 1st Baron Gormanston 1388 * Richard Plunkett (1388–

1393 Year 1393 ( MCCCXCIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events * January 28 – Bal des Ardents: Four members of the court of Charles VI of France die in a fire, at a masqu ...

) * Richard Northalis, Bishop of Ossory (1393– 1397). Also Archbishop of Dublin and

from 1395 to his death. *

Robert Braybrooke Robert Braybrooke (1336/7-1404) was a medieval cleric and King's Secretary. He was Dean of Salisbury and Bishop of London. Biography Braybrooke was the son of Sir Gerard de Braybooke of Castle Ashby, MP for Northampton of Horsenden, Buckinghams ...

Bishop of London The bishop of London is the Ordinary (church officer), ordinary of the Church of England's Diocese of London in the Province of Canterbury. By custom the Bishop is also Dean of the Chapel Royal since 1723. The diocese covers of 17 boroughs o ...

(1397)

15th century

Thomas Cranley Thomas Cranley Doctor of Divinity, 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 (education), Chancellor of Oxford University, Archbishop ...

(

1401 Year 1401 ( MCDI) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. Events January–March * January 6 – Rupert, King of Germany, is crowned King of the Romans at Cologne. * January 12 – Emperor Hồ Quý Ly ...

–

1410 Year 1410 ( MCDX) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. Events January–March * January 27 – The 8th Parliament of King Henry IV of England is opened, with Thomas Chaucer as Speaker of the House of Co ...

) ** Sir

Laurence Merbury Sir Laurence Merbury (died after 1423) was an English-born statesman in Ireland who held the office of Treasurer of Ireland and was also Deputy to the Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Family He was born at Marbury, Cheshire, one of the three sons ...

, Deputy Chancellor (1403–1410), who exercised the duties of Chancellor while Cranley was too ill to do so. ** Thomas de Everdon, acted regularly as Deputy, and was briefly named as Chancellor in 1402. **

Roger Hawkenshaw Roger Hawkenshaw or Hakenshawe (died 1434) was an Irish judge and Privy Councillor.Ball p.173 He was Irish people, Irish by birth. He was possibly the son, but more likely the grandson, of an earlier Roger Hawkenshaw, or Hackenshawe, a senior Eng ...

, 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, 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 pantries, pantr ...

. ** Robert Sutton, Deputy Chancellor (

1412 Year 1412 (Roman numerals, MCDXII) was a leap year starting on Friday on the Julian calendar. Events January–March * January 16 – The Medici Family are made official bankers of the Papacy. * January 25 – Ernest, Duke of ...

–1413) *

, Primate of Ireland ( 1413–1417) (second term) * Sir

(

1417 Year 1417 (Roman numerals, MCDXVII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. Events January–March * January 19 – After the dismissal of Al-Musta'in (Cairo), Al-Musta'in as Caliph of Cairo by the Sultan Shaykh ...

) (second term) * William Fitz Thomas, 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 discr ...

(c.

1418 Year 1418 ( MCDXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. Events January–March * January 31 – Mircea I, Prince of Wallachia (now part of southern Romania), dies after a reign of 21 years and is succ ...

–1419) * Richard Talbot, Primate of Ireland ( 1423–1426) * William Fitz Thomas (

1426 Year 1426 ( MCDXXVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. Events January–March * January 7 – King Henry VI summons the Parliament of England, directing its members to meet at Leicester on February 18. * J ...

) (second term) * Sir Richard FitzEustace (1426) * Richard Talbot,

(1426–1441) * Thomas Chase (

1441 Events January–March * January 20 – The siege of Tartas in France is temporarily halted when Charles II of Albret, against whom residents of Gascony are campaigning, and the commander of the English forces, Sir Thomas Rempston, ...

–1446) * Richard Wogan (

1446 Year 1446 ( MCDXLVI) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. Events January–March * January 2 – (5th waxing of Tabodwe 807 ME) At the city of Taungoo in what is now Myanmar, 14-year-old Minkhaung I become ...

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

1449 Year 1449 ( MCDXLIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. Events January–March * January 2 – King Henry VI of England summons the members of parliament, directing them to assemble on Februry 12 at We ...

–1451) *

Edmund, Earl of Rutland Edmund, Earl of Rutland (17 May 1443 – 30 December 1460) was the fourth child and second surviving son of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York, and Cecily Neville. He was a younger brother of Edward IV, Edward, Earl of March, the future King ...

(

1451 Year 1451 ( MCDLI) was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. Events January–June * January 7 – Pope Nicholas V issues a Papal Bull to establish The University of Glasgow; classes are initially held in Glasgo ...

–1460). Lord Chancellor, a minor who acted through Edmund Oldhall. ** Edmund Oldhall (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 Catholic Church it remains as a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with another bishopric. History Until the ...

, 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 of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * February 4 – Thirteen Years' War: The Secret Council of the Prussian Confederation sends a formal act of disobedience ...

–1460). Deputy Chancellor, exercised the duties of the office. * John Dynham (

1460 Year 1460 ( MCDLX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar, the 1460th year of the Common Era (CE) and ''Anno Domini'' (AD) designations, the 460th year of the 2nd millennium, the 60th year of the 15th century, and the 1st year ...

–1461), Lord Chancellor ** Sir

Robert Preston, 1st Viscount Gormanston Robert Preston, 1st Viscount Gormanston (1435–1503) was an Irish peer and statesman of the fifteenth century who held the offices of Deputy to the Lord Chancellor of Ireland and Lord Deputy of Ireland. Background He was the son of Christopher ...

, Deputy Chancellor * Sir William Welles (

1461 Year 1461 ( MCDLXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * February 2 – Battle of Mortimer's Cross: Yorkist troops led by Edward, Duke of York defeat Lancastrians under Owen ...

–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 of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * March 27 – Ivan III of Russia becomes the ruler of Russia, following the death of his father, Vasili. * June 17 &nda ...

–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, 6t ...

(c.

1463 Year 1463 ( MCDLXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar, the 1463rd year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 463rd year of the 2nd millennium, the 63rd year of the 15th century, and the 4th y ...

– 1468). By decree of Edward IV of 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 1478. * Robert Allanstown (

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

–1469) * William Dudley (

1469 Year 1469 ( MCDLXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * February 4 – Battle of Qarabagh: Uzun Hasan decisively defeats the Timurids of Abu Sa'id Mirza. * July 24 – ...

–1472) * Joint Lord Chancellors of Ireland (

1472 Year 1472 ( MCDLXXII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * February 20 – Orkney and Shetland are returned by Norway to Scotland, as a result of a defaulted dowry payment. * Mar ...

–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 Tapton * Gilbert Debenham (

1474 Year 1474 ( MCDLXXIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * February – The Treaty of Utrecht puts an end to the Anglo-Hanseatic War. * March 19 – The Senate of the Republic of Venice ...

) *

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-la ...

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

(

1480 Year 1480 ( MCDLXXX) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * March 6 – Treaty of Toledo: Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain recognize the African conquests of Afonso V of Portugal, ...

–1482) * Walter Champfleur, Abbot of

St Mary's Abbey, Dublin St. Mary's Abbey () was a former Cistercian abbey located near the junction of Abbey Street and Capel Street in Dublin, Ireland. Its territory stretched from the district known as Oxmanstown down along the River Liffey until it met the sea. It ...

(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 nobleman and 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 ...

(May

1483 Year 1483 ( MCDLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * January 1 – The Jews are expelled from Andalusia. * February 11 – The ''General Council of the Inquisiti ...

, but probably died a few months later) * Sir Thomas FitzGerald of Laccagh (c.1483 – 1487) *

(

1487 Year 1487 ( MCDLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * January 29 – Richard Foxe becomes Bishop of Exeter. * March – Sigismund, Archduke of Austria, largely on the ...

–1492). The same as above. * Alexander Plunket (

1492 Year 1492 ( MCDXCII) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. 1492 is considered to be a significant year in the history of the West, Europe, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Spain, and the New World, among others, because of the ...

–1494) * Henry Deane, later

(

1494 Year 1494 ( MCDXCIV) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * January 4 – The Cetinje Octoechos (Цетињски октоих, an Eastern Orthodox octoechos (liturgy), first to ...

–1495) *

Walter Fitzsimon Walter Fitzsimon or Fitzsimons (died 1511) was a statesman and cleric in Ireland in the reign of Henry VII, who held the offices of Archbishop of Dublin and Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Biography He was born in Dublin, the son of Robert Fitz ...

(

1496 Year 1496 ( MCDXCVI) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * February – Pietro Bembo's ''Petri Bembi de Aetna Angelum Chalabrilem liber'', a description of a journey to Mount Etna, ...

–

1511 Year 1511 ( MDXI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. Events January–March * January 19 – The Siege of Mirandola by the Papal States, with help from the Duchy of Urbino and Spanish and Venetian t ...

)

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 (Roman Catholic), Archbishop of Dublin and Lord Chancellor of Ireland. He ...

(

1512 Year 1512 (Roman numerals, MDXII) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. Events January–March * January 2 – Svante Nilsson (regent of Sweden), Svante Nilsson, regent of Sweden since 1504, dies at the a ...

– 1513) * Sir William Compton (1513–

1515 __NOTOC__ Year 1515 ( MDXV) was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. Events January–March * January 1 – King Louis XII of France dies of severe gout after a reign of 14 years, and his son-in-law, Franç ...

) *

, Primate of Ireland (1515–

1521 1521 ( MDXXI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar, the 1521st year of the Common Era (CE) and ''Anno Domini'' (AD) designations, the 521st year of the 2nd millennium, the 21st year of the 16th century, and the 2nd year o ...

). The same as above. * Hugh Inge, Primate of Ireland (

1522 __NOTOC__ Year 1522 ( MDXXII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar, the 1522nd year of the Common Era (CE) and ''Anno Domini'' (AD) designations, the 522nd year of the 2nd millennium, the 22nd year of the 16th century ...

–

1528 __NOTOC__ Year 1528 ( MDXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar, there is also a Leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events January–March * January 12 – Gustav I of Sweden is ...

) *

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 l ...

, Primate of Ireland (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. Biography Cromer was English by birth, a descendant of the Cromer (also spelt Crowemer) family of Tunsta ...

(1532–1534) * John Barnewall, 3rd Baron Trimlestown (1534–1538) * Sir John Alan (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 (6 December 1546 – 1548) * Sir John Alan (1548–1551) * Sir Thomas Cusack (1551–1554) * Sir William Fitzwilliam, Lord Keeper (1554) *

Hugh Curwen Hugh Curwen ( – 1 November 1568) was an English ecclesiastic and statesman, who served as Archbishop of Dublin and Lord Chancellor of Ireland from 1555 to 1567, then as Bishop of Oxford until his death in November 1568. Previous entries, in ...

(1555–1567). Lord Chancellor from 1555 to 1558, Lord Keeper from 1558 to 1559, Lord Chancellor from 1559 to 1567. *

Robert Weston Robert Weston ( – 20 May 1573) of Lichfield, Staffordshire, was an English civil lawyer, who was Dean of the Arches and Lord Chancellor of Ireland in the time of Queen Elizabeth. Life Robert Weston was the 3rd son of John Weston ...

Dean of the Arches The Dean of the Arches is the judge who presides in the provincial ecclesiastical court of the Archbishop of Canterbury. This court is called the Arches Court of Canterbury. It hears appeals from consistory courts and bishop's disciplinary tribun ...

(1567–1573) * 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) * Adam Loftus (1581–1605) the same as the above.

17th century

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

** Sir James Ley

Lord Chief Justice of Ireland The Court of King's Bench (or Court of Queen's Bench during the reign of a Queen) was one of the senior courts of common law in Ireland. It was a mirror of the Court of King's Bench in England. The Lord Chief Justice was the most senior judge ...

** Sir Edmund Pelham

Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer for Ireland The Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer was the Baron (judge) who presided over the Court of Exchequer (Ireland), Irish Court of Exchequer. This was a mirror of the Exchequer of Pleas, equivalent court in England, and was one of the four courts wh ...

** Sir Anthony St Leger

Master of the Rolls in Ireland The Master of the Rolls in Ireland was a senior judicial office in the Irish Chancery under English and British rule, and was equivalent to the Master of the Rolls in the English Chancery. Originally called the Keeper of the Rolls, he was respon ...

* Thomas Jones (1605–1619) * Commissioners of the Great Seal of Ireland (1619) ** Sir William Jones Lord Chief Justice of Ireland ** Sir William Methold Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer for Ireland ** Sir Francis Aungier Master of the Rolls in Ireland * Adam Loftus, 1st 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 Bunstea ...

Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, Chief Commissioner (1655–1656) ** Gerard Lowther

Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas The chief justice of the Common Pleas for Ireland was the presiding judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Ireland, which was known in its early years as the Court of Common Bench, or simply as "the Bench", or "the Dublin bench". It was one of the ...

, Second Commissioner (1655–1656) **

Miles Corbet Miles Corbet (1595–1662) was an English politician, recorder of Yarmouth and a List of regicides of Charles I, regicide of King Charles I of England, Charles I. Life Born a member of the Corbet family he was the son of Sir Thomas Corbet ...

Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer, Third Commissioner (1655–1656) * William Steele (1656–1660) * Sir Maurice Eustace (1660–1665) * Michael Boyle (the younger), Michael Boyle (1665–1686) * Sir Charles Porter (Lord Chancellor of Ireland), 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 (Lord Chancellor of Ireland), Charles Porter (second term) (29 December 1690 – 1696) * Commissioners of the Great Seal of Ireland (1696–1697) ** Sir John Jeffreyson ** Thomas Coote (Irish politician), Thomas Coote ** Nehemiah Donnellan (1649–1705), Nehemiah Donnellan * John Methuen (diplomat), John Methuen (11 March 1697 – 1703)

18th century

* Sir Richard Cox, 1st Baronet (1703–1707) * Richard Freeman (Irish judge), Richard Freeman (11 June 1707 – 1710) * Commissioners of the Great Seal of Ireland (1710–1) ** Robert FitzGerald, 19th Earl of Kildare ** William King (bishop), William King ** Thomas Keightley (official), Thomas Keightley * Sir Constantine Henry Phipps (22 January 1711 – September 1714) * Alan Brodrick, 1st Viscount Midleton (11 October 1714 – 1725) * Richard West (Lord Chancellor of Ireland), Richard West (29 May 1725 – 1726)Ball Vol. 2 p. 101 * Thomas Wyndham, 1st Baron Wyndham (13 December 1726 – 1739) * Robert Jocelyn, 1st Viscount Jocelyn (7 September 1739 – 3 December 1756) * John Bowes, 1st Baron Bowes (11 March 1757 – 22 July 1767) (Attorney-General, 1739–41) * James Hewitt, 1st Viscount Lifford (24 November 1767 – 28 April 1789) * Commissioners of the Great Seal of Ireland (1789) ** Robert Fowler (archbishop of Dublin), Robert Fowler ** Hugh Carleton, 1st Viscount Carleton, Hugh Carleton Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas ** Sir Samuel Bradstreet * John FitzGibbon, 1st Earl of Clare (20 June 1789 – 28 January 1802) (sitting Attorney-General)

19th century

* John Freeman-Mitford, 1st Baron Redesdale (15 February 1802 – 1806) * George Ponsonby (25 March 1806 – 1807) * Thomas Manners-Sutton, 1st Baron Manners (23 April 1807 – 1827) * Sir Anthony Hart (5 November 1827– November 1830) * William Plunket, 1st Baron Plunket (23 December 1830 – November 1834) (Attorney-General, 1805–07 and 1822–27) * Sir Edward Sugden, 1st Baron St Leonards, Edward Sugden (13 January 1835 – April 1835) * William Plunket, 1st Baron Plunket (30 April 1835 – 1841) (see above) * John Campbell, 1st Baron Campbell (22 June 1841) * Sir Edward Sugden (3 October 1841 – 1846) (see above) * Maziere Brady (16 July 1846 – 1852) (Attorney-General, 1839–40) * Francis Blackburne (1852) (Attorney-General 1831-34 and 1841–42) * Maziere Brady (1852–1858) (see above)Delaney p. 29 * Sir Joseph Napier (baronet), Joseph Napier (1858–1859) (Attorney-General, 1852) * Maziere Brady (1859–1866) (see above) * Francis Blackburne (1866–1867) (see above) * Abraham Brewster (Attorney-General, 1853–55) (1867–1868) * Thomas O'Hagan, 1st Baron O'Hagan (1868–1874)Delaney p. 177 (Attorney-General, 1861-65) * Commissioners of the Great Seal of Ireland (1874–1875) ** Sir Joseph Napier, Chief Commissioner (1874–1875) ** James Anthony Lawson (1874–1875) ** William Brooke (1874–1875) * John Thomas Ball, John Ball (1875–1880) (sitting Attorney-General) * Thomas O'Hagan, 1st Baron O'Hagan (1880–1881) (see above) * Hugh Law (1881–1883) (sitting Attorney-General) * Sir Edward Sullivan, 1st Baronet (1883–1885) (Attorney-General, 1868) * John Naish (1885) (sitting Attorney-General) * Edward Gibson, 1st Baron Ashbourne (1885–1886) (Attorney-General, 1877–80)Healy, Maurice ''The Old Munster Circuit'' 1939 Mercier Press edition p. 27 * John Naish (1886) (see above) * Edward Gibson, 1st Baron Ashbourne (1886–1892) (see above)Healy p. 27 * Sir Samuel Walker, 1st Baronet, Samuel Walker (1892–1895) (Attorney-General, February–August 1886) * Edward Gibson, 1st Baron Ashbourne (29 June 1895 – 1905) (see above)

20th century

References

External links

* *
Volume II
* {{Dublin Castle administration Lord chancellors of Ireland, * Political office-holders in pre-partition Ireland Lists of legislative speakers, Ireland Legislative speakers in Ireland