Lord Deputy of Ireland facts for kids

The Lord Deputy was a very important person in Ireland a long time ago. They were like the main boss or representative for the monarch (the king or queen) who ruled England. The Lord Deputy was in charge of the government in Ireland when England controlled it. This role existed during two main periods: first, when Ireland was called the Lordship of Ireland, and later, when it became the Kingdom of Ireland. Before 1523, the Lord Deputy helped the Viceroy of Ireland, who was an even higher representative. If there was more than one, they were called Lords Deputy.

What was the Lord Deputy?

The Lord Deputy was the king or queen of England's main representative in Ireland. Think of them as the top manager for the English ruler in Ireland. Their job was to lead the Irish government, which was called the executive. This meant they made sure the laws were followed and that Ireland was run according to the English monarch's wishes.

This important role existed for a long time. It started when Ireland was known as the Lordship of Ireland. Later, it continued when Ireland became the Kingdom of Ireland.

A Look at the Lords Deputy

Many different people held the title of Lord Deputy over the centuries. They were often powerful nobles or knights chosen by the English monarch. Their time in office could be short or long, depending on the needs of the crown and the situation in Ireland.

During the Lordship of Ireland

The Lordship of Ireland period lasted from the late 12th century until the mid-16th century. During this time, the English crown had some control over parts of Ireland. The Lord Deputy was key to managing these areas.

Some of the people who served as Lord Deputy during this time included:

• Sir Thomas de la Dale (1365–1366)
• Thomas FitzGerald, 7th Earl of Kildare (who served multiple times, like 1454–1459 and 1468–1475)
• Edward Poynings (1494–1496), who introduced important laws
• Gerald FitzGerald, 9th Earl of Kildare (also served multiple times, like 1513–1518 and 1524–1529)
• Sir William Skeffington (1529–1532 and 1534–1535)

During the Kingdom of Ireland

The Kingdom of Ireland began in 1542, when King Henry VIII of England declared himself King of Ireland. This meant England wanted even more control. The Lord Deputy's role became even more central to English rule.

Some notable Lords Deputy from this period include:

• Anthony St Leger (who served several times, starting in 1540)
• Thomas Radclyffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex (1556–1558)
• Sir Henry Sidney (1565–1571 and 1575–1578)
• Arthur Grey, 14th Baron Grey de Wilton (1580–1582)
• Charles Blount, Baron Mountjoy (1600–1603)
• Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford (1632–1640)
• James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormond (who served many times, including 1644–1650 and 1662–1668)
• Henry Hyde, 2nd Earl of Clarendon (1685–1687)

Sometimes, instead of one Lord Deputy, a group of people called Lord Justices would manage the government. This happened when a new Lord Deputy was being chosen or was away.

What Happened Next?

After 1688, the title of Lord Deputy was changed. The person in charge of Ireland for the English monarch became known as the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. This person was also often called the Viceroy, which means "in place of the king." This new title continued until Ireland gained independence in the early 20th century.