Lord Lieutenant of Cumberland facts for kids

The Lord Lieutenant of Cumberland was a very important person in the historic county of Cumberland, England. This person was the King or Queen's personal representative in the county. They were like a special ambassador for the monarch, helping to keep things running smoothly and representing the Crown at local events.

From 1765 until 1974, everyone who was a Lord Lieutenant of Cumberland also held another important job: they were the Custos Rotulorum of Cumberland. This Latin phrase means "keeper of the rolls." This person was in charge of all the important records and documents for the county's court system. It showed how much trust the monarch placed in them!

What is a Lord Lieutenant?

A Lord Lieutenant is a special representative of the King or Queen in a county. They are usually a respected person from the local area. Their main job is to support the monarch and help with official duties.

Key Responsibilities of a Lord Lieutenant

• Representing the Monarch: They welcome members of the Royal Family when they visit the county.
• Supporting the Community: They help with local events, charities, and community groups.
• Honours and Awards: They help present national honours, like knighthoods or medals, to local people.
• Military Connections: They often have links with the armed forces in their area.

This role is mostly ceremonial today, meaning it's about tradition and representing the Crown. It's not about making laws or running the government.

Important People Who Served Cumberland

Many notable people served as Lord Lieutenant of Cumberland over the centuries. They were often powerful nobles or landowners. This role was a sign of great trust from the monarch.

Here are some of the people who held this important position:

• Henry Hastings, 3rd Earl of Huntingdon (1586–1595)
• George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland (1603–1605)
• Francis Clifford, 4th Earl of Cumberland (1607–1639)
• Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Carlisle (1660–1685)
• Charles Howard, 3rd Earl of Carlisle (1694–1738)
• James Lowther, 1st Earl of Lonsdale (1759–1802)
• William Lowther, 1st Earl of Lonsdale (1802–1844)
• Hugh Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale (1917–1944)
• Frescheville Hubert Ballantine-Dykes (1944–1949)
• Sir Robert Christopher Chance (1949–1958)
• Sir Frederick Fergus Graham, 5th Baronet (1958–1968)
• John Charles Wade (1968–1974)

Cumberland Becomes Part of Cumbria

The role of Lord Lieutenant of Cumberland ended on March 31, 1974. This is because the county of Cumberland itself changed. It became part of a new, larger county called Cumbria.

After 1974, a new position was created: the Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria. This new Lord Lieutenant now represents the monarch across the whole of Cumbria, continuing the long tradition of royal representation in the region.