The role of Lord-Lieutenant

David Rymill, Archivist at Hampshire Record Office, Winchester, and Lorraine Riley, Clerk to the Lieutenancy, explore the fascinating history behind the role of the Lord-Lieutenant, from its origins in Tudor times to the present day.  

The role of Lord-Lieutenant began because Tudor monarchs had no standing army and relied on noblemen within each county to organise men and arms for the defence of the realm. The first Lieutenant of Hampshire was the Duke of Suffolk, whom Henry VIII appointed King’s Lieutenant of various counties including Hampshire in 1545. Soon afterwards Lord-Lieutenants were appointed for just a single county. In 1551 William Paulet, 1st Marquess of Winchester, became Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire. He was Treasurer to Elizabeth I for over 20 years, and is remembered in Hampshire for rebuilding Basing House.

The current Lord-Lieutenant, Dame Mary Fagan DCVO, was appointed in 1994 and is assisted by a Vice Lord-Lieutenant and 51 Deputies. The key role for the Lord-Lieutenant is to act as The Queen's representative in Hampshire. This includes making arrangements for all Royal visits to Hampshire and representing The Queen by presenting certain honours, medals and awards, including Queen's Awards for Enterprise, Queen's Awards for Voluntary Service and the new Elizabeth Cross. The modern Lord-Lieutenant’s role is unpaid and non-political.

Strong links are maintained with local units of the armed forces and their associated Cadet Forces, and Dame Mary is an Honorary Commodore Royal Naval Reserve. The Lord-Lieutenant may be asked to present colours on behalf of The Queen, inspect troops on parade including taking the salute on arrival and during the march past, inspect a guard of honour, attend the funeral of service men and women killed abroad and receive units on their return from service overseas.

Dame Mary is president and patron of over 50 organisations across the county and is also Chancellor of the University of Winchester. As Custos Rotulorum ('Keeper of the Rolls') the Lord-Lieutenant chairs the Advisory Committee for Magistrates and officiates at their swearing-in.

For further information contact the Clerk to the Lieutenancy, Mrs Lorraine Riley, on 01962 826068, email lord.lieutenant@hants.gov.uk or visit our lieutenancy website.

For more information regarding Hampshire Record Office visit the Hampshire Archives and Local Studies website or call 01962 846154.