Chancellor of the Exchequer of Ireland facts for kids

The Chancellor of the Exchequer of Ireland was an important job in the old Kingdom of Ireland. This person was in charge of the Exchequer of Ireland, which was like the country's treasury or finance department. They were also a key part of the Dublin Castle administration, working under the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, who was the King or Queen's main representative in Ireland.

Sometimes, in very early times, this role was even called the Chancellor of the Green Wax. Imagine that! In the first few centuries, the Chancellor was often a very smart cleric (a religious leader) who knew a lot about money and how to manage it. Later on, when the Irish Parliament met regularly, the Chancellor was always an MP, meaning they were elected to the Irish House of Commons.

One famous Chancellor was Walter de Kenley (who died in 1308). He was Chancellor from 1292 until he passed away. He was also a judge in the Court of Common Pleas (Ireland) and a skilled military commander. He did a great job helping against the Gaelic clans in County Wicklow.

The Chancellor's job was different from the judicial (court-related) role of the Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer of Ireland. However, in the early days, the same person sometimes held both jobs. Other times, the Chancellor was the second most important Baron in the Exchequer. The very first Chancellor seems to have been Thomas de Chaddesworth, who was the Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, back in 1270. Like Walter de Kenley, he was a judge in the Court of Common Pleas, not the Court of Exchequer.

The Kingdom of Ireland joined with the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1801. This happened because of the Acts of Union 1800, which created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Even after this, the Exchequer of Ireland didn't immediately join with Great Britain's treasury. It stayed separate until 1817. The last person to hold the title of Chancellor of the Exchequer of Ireland was William Vesey-FitzGerald.

What was the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer was like the chief financial officer for the Kingdom of Ireland. Their main job was to manage the country's money, including collecting taxes and making sure funds were spent properly. This role was very important for the government to run smoothly.

Early Chancellors and Their Roles

In the beginning, Chancellors were often highly educated people. They needed to understand complex financial matters. Many were clerics, showing how important learning was for this position. They helped set up the financial systems of the country.

A Look at Walter de Kenley

Walter de Kenley is a good example of an early Chancellor. He wasn't just good with numbers. He also served as a judge, showing he understood the law. Plus, he was a military leader, which was unusual for someone in a finance role. This shows how varied and important the Chancellor's duties could be back then.

The Chancellor's Role Over Time

As time went on, the role of Chancellor changed. It became more focused on politics. By later centuries, the Chancellor was almost always a Member of Parliament. This meant they were involved in making laws and representing people. They had to balance the country's finances with the needs of the government and the public.

The End of the Irish Exchequer

When Ireland became part of the United Kingdom in 1801, many things changed. The Irish Parliament was dissolved. However, the Irish Exchequer continued to operate for a while. It wasn't until 1817 that it finally merged with the British Exchequer. This meant the separate role of Chancellor of the Exchequer of Ireland came to an end.

Who Were Some Chancellors?

Many people held the important role of Chancellor of the Exchequer of Ireland over the centuries. Here are a few of them:

• 1270 Thomas de Chaddesworth
• 1292 Walter de Kenley
• 1308 Walter de Thornbury
• 1309 John de Hotham
• 1310 Nicholas de Balscote
• ... (many others served between these dates)
• 1811 William Wellesley-Pole
• 11 August 1812 William Vesey-FitzGerald
• 1816 Nicholas Vansittart (who was also the Chancellor of the Exchequer for Great Britain)

The Irish Exchequer was officially abolished in 1817.