Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire facts for kids

A Lord Lieutenant is the King or Queen's personal representative in a county, like Gloucestershire. Think of them as the monarch's local ambassador! Their main job is to uphold the dignity of the Crown and promote a good community spirit. Since 1694, all Lord Lieutenants in Gloucestershire have also been the Custos Rotulorum of Gloucestershire, which means they were in charge of keeping the county's important records.

Understanding the Lord Lieutenant Role

The Lord Lieutenant is a very important person in their county. They are chosen by the King or Queen and usually serve until they are 75 years old. Their duties include welcoming members of the Royal Family when they visit the county. They also present medals and awards on behalf of the King or Queen, like the King's Award for Voluntary Service.

Another key part of their job is to support the local community. They often attend events, ceremonies, and celebrations. They also help to encourage volunteer work and promote good citizenship. It's a role that helps connect the local area with the wider Royal Family and national traditions.

A Glimpse into Gloucestershire's Past

The role of Lord Lieutenant has a long history, going back hundreds of years. Originally, Lord Lieutenants were responsible for organizing the local militia, which was like a local army. Over time, their duties changed. Today, the role is mostly ceremonial and focuses on community leadership.

In Gloucestershire, many important people have held this position. They have served during different periods of history, from the time of Queen Elizabeth I right up to today. For a short time in the 1600s, there was a period called the Interregnum. This was when England did not have a king or queen, so there was no Lord Lieutenant during that time.

List of Lord Lieutenants of Gloucestershire

Here is a list of the people who have served as Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire:

• Edmund Brydges, 2nd Baron Chandos 1559–?
• Giles Brydges, 3rd Baron Chandos 17 November 1586 – 1 February 1594
• William Brydges, 4th Baron Chandos 9 September 1595 – 18 November 1602
• Henry Berkeley, 7th Baron Berkeley 13 August 1603 – 20 November 1613
• Grey Brydges, 5th Baron Chandos 23 December 1613 – 10 August 1621
• William Compton, 1st Earl of Northampton 16 March 1622 – 24 June 1630
• Spencer Compton, 2nd Earl of Northampton 17 July 1630 – 1642 jointly with
• George Brydges, 6th Baron Chandos 3 August 1641 – 1642
• William Fiennes, 1st Viscount Saye and Sele 1642 (Parliamentary)
• Interregnum
• The Duke of Beaufort 30 July 1660 – 1689
• The Earl of Macclesfield 22 March 1689 – 7 January 1694
• The Earl of Berkeley 25 May 1694 – 24 September 1710
• The Earl of Berkeley 30 November 1710 – 1712
• The Duke of Beaufort 6 March 1712 – 24 May 1714
• The Earl of Berkeley 21 October 1714 – 17 August 1736
• The Earl of Berkeley 21 April 1737 – 9 January 1755
• The Lord Ducie 19 February 1755 – 1758
• The Lord Chedworth 13 November 1758 – 9 May 1762
• The Lord Botetourt 4 June 1762 – 1766
• The Earl of Berkeley 5 July 1766 – 8 August 1810
• The Duke of Beaufort 15 September 1810 – 2 December 1835
• The Lord Segrave 18 December 1835 – 10 October 1857 (created Earl FitzHardinge in 1841)
• The Earl of Ducie 13 November 1857 – 1911†
• The Earl Beauchamp 17 July 1911 – 1931†
• The Duke of Beaufort 6 November 1931 – 5 February 1984†
• Martin Gibbs 1984–1992
• Sir Henry Elwes 17 February 1992 – 24 October 2010
• Dame Janet Trotter 25 October 2010 – 29 October 2018
• Edward Gillespie 29 October 2018 –

† These Lord Lieutenants also served for the City and County of Gloucester, and the City and County of Bristol.

What are Deputy Lieutenants?

A Deputy Lieutenant is someone who helps the Lord Lieutenant with their duties. They are appointed by the Lord Lieutenant and support their work in the county. There can be many Deputy Lieutenants at one time. The number depends on how many people live in the county.

Deputy Lieutenants usually retire when they turn 75. Their appointment does not end if a new Lord Lieutenant takes over. They continue to serve the county and the Crown.

Deputy Lieutenants Through the Years

Here are some of the people who have served as Deputy Lieutenants for Gloucestershire:

• 10 March 1831: Maurice Fitzgerald Stephens
• 12 March 1831: Robert Canning
• 24 March 1831: John Lewsley Codrington
• 5 April 1831: John Dela Field Phelps