Lord High Commissioner to the Parliament of Scotland facts for kids

The Lord High Commissioner to the Parliament of Scotland was a very important person. They were the monarch of Scotland's's personal representative in the Parliament of Scotland. Think of them as the king or queen's stand-in.

After King James VI of Scotland also became King of England in 1603, he spent most of his time in England. So, a Lord High Commissioner was chosen from important noble families to represent him in the Scottish Parliament. This continued until 1707. In 1707, the Scottish Parliament joined with the English Parliament. This created the Parliament of Great Britain. After this, the job of Lord High Commissioner to the Scottish Parliament was no longer needed.

The Lord High Commissioner showed the power of the King or Queen. They sat on a special throne inside the parliament building. When new laws were passed, the Commissioner gave them royal assent. This meant they made the laws official by touching the final copy with the sceptre. They were also in charge of what laws the King or Queen wanted passed. They were like the main leader of the government in Scotland during this time.

Who Were the Lords High Commissioner?

The Lord High Commissioner was always a very important noble. They were chosen by the monarch to make sure the king or queen's wishes were followed in the Scottish Parliament. These powerful individuals played a big part in Scottish history. They helped shape the laws and decisions of the country for over 100 years.

For example, James Hamilton, 2nd Marquess of Hamilton was a Lord High Commissioner in 1621. Later, James Douglas, 2nd Duke of Queensberry held the role several times, including during the final years before the union with England (1706-1707).

See also

• Commissioner (Scottish Parliament)
• Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
• Lord Chancellor of Scotland

Images for kids

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  Ludovic Stewart, 2nd Duke of Lennox, served in 1607.

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  George Keith, 5th Earl Marischal, served in 1609.

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  Alexander Seton, 1st Earl of Dunfermline, served in 1612.

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  James Hamilton, 2nd Marquess of Hamilton, served in 1621.

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  John Stewart, 1st Earl of Traquair, served in 1639.

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  James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Hamilton, served in 1646.

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  John Middleton, 1st Earl of Middleton, served in 1661 and 1662.

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  John Leslie, 7th Earl of Rothes, served multiple times in the 1660s.

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  John Maitland, 1st Duke of Lauderdale, served many times in the 1670s.

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  James, Duke of Albany (later King James VII), served in 1681.

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  William Douglas, 1st Duke of Queensberry, served in 1685.

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  William Douglas, Duke of Hamilton, served in 1689 and 1693.

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  George Melville, 1st Earl of Melville, served in 1690.

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  John Hay, 1st Marquess of Tweeddale, served in 1695.

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  John Murray, Earl of Tullibardine, served in 1696.

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  Patrick Hume, 1st Earl of Marchmont, served in 1698.

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  James Douglas, 2nd Duke of Queensberry, served multiple times in the early 1700s.

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  John Hay, 2nd Marquess of Tweeddale, served in 1704.

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  John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll, served in 1705.