Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

Last updated

Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Royal Standard of Scotland.svg
Royal Standard of Scotland
Prince Edward 2022.jpg
since 10 March 2024 (2024-03-10)
Style His or Her Grace
Residence Palace of Holyroodhouse
AppointerThe Monarch
Term length 1 year
Formation1580;444 years ago (1580)
First holder James Balfour of Pittendreich

The Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is the monarch's personal representative to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland (the Kirk), reflecting the Church's role as the national church of Scotland and the monarch's role as protector and member of that Church. In its history, the office holder has been the personal representatives to all Scottish monarchs, and later British monarchs, following the Union of the Crowns.

Contents

Alongside the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is arguably one of the two most prominent figures in the Church of Scotland.

History

Lord High Commissioners were appointed to the Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland between 1603 and 1707 as the monarch's personal representative. The Act of Union 1707 made this function redundant, but a Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has been appointed each year, as the monarch's personal representative, since 1690.

The right of the monarch to be present at the General Assembly is enshrined in Church of Scotland's confessional standard, the Westminster Confession of Faith, which says that the "civil magistrate... hath power to call synods, to be present at them, and to provide that whatsoever is transacted in them be according to the mind of God" (XXIII.3). [1]

Prior to 1929, the General Assembly was held in the former Tolbooth Highland St John's Church on Edinburgh's Royal Mile (this building is no longer used as a church, instead being converted into "The Hub" for the Edinburgh International Festival society), where a throne was provided for the use of the Lord High Commissioner. The union of the Church of Scotland and the United Free Church of Scotland took place in 1929. Since 1930 the General Assembly has always met in the former United Free Church Assembly Hall on The Mound, Edinburgh. The Lord High Commissioner sits on the throne in the Royal Gallery, which is technically "outside" the Assembly Hall—symbolising the independence of the Church in matters spiritual from state interference. [2]

The first General Assembly of the newly united church in 1929 was held in halls in Annandale Street, Edinburgh (now a bus garage), the only building large enough. Difficulty in accessing the Royal Gallery in this temporary location led to a seemingly trivial but nevertheless embarrassing dispute over protocol, whereby the Lord High Commissioner (the Earl of Inverness, later King George VI) would have had to enter through the Assembly Hall itself—an act of symbolic state interference in the hard-won spiritual independence of the church. The Moderator, Dr John White, was adamant that this would be unacceptable, even suggesting that the post of Lord High Commissioner could be dispensed with. Ultimately, the office of Lord High Commissioner was retained following negotiations and subsequent agreements. [3]

Responsibilities of office

Functions

The office has always been largely ceremonial. The person appointed invariably has a distinguished record of public service in Scotland as well as having close connections with the church, often being an Elder of the Church of Scotland.

On behalf of the monarch, the Lord High Commissioner attends the General Assembly, makes opening and closing addresses to the Assembly, and carries out a number of official visits and ceremonial functions (not all related to the Church of Scotland). At the formal opening of the General Assembly, the Principal Clerk reads out the Royal Warrant appointing the Lord High Commissioner, who is then invited to address the Assembly. All ministers, elders and deacons appointed by Presbyteries to attend the General Assembly are known as "Commissioners" and have voting powers; the Lord High Commissioner, however, has no vote, nor may he/she intervene in debates.

Apart from his/her opening and closing addresses, the Lord High Commissioner makes no further intervention in Assembly debates but will be in daily attendance for at least part of each day's business. Following the Assembly, the Lord High Commissioner personally informs The King about the business of the week.

The Lord High Commissioner also visits the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland annually, which is held on the same week as the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, also within Edinburgh. [4] [5]

Form of address

The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the Commissioner's residence Palace of Holyroodhouse.jpg
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the Commissioner's residence

While the General Assembly is meeting, the Lord High Commissioner is treated as if a regent. By custom, he or she is addressed as "Your Grace" and is greeted with a bow or curtsey. When the Princess Royal was appointed in 1996, she was styled as "Her Grace" for the duration rather than her normal dynastic style "Her Royal Highness" because the Lord High Commissioner is ranked higher in the order of precedence.

If a woman is appointed to the office, the alternative title "His Majesty's High Commissioner" may, if requested, be used. Margaret Herbison was the first woman to hold the post (1970 and 1971).

Residence

Since 1834 the Lord High Commissioner has resided at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and gave a garden party for Commissioners to the General Assembly on the Saturday afternoon of Assembly week and other hospitality. He or she is entitled to use the Scottish Royal Banner, and has precedence immediately after the King and before the rest of the Royal Family. Even his or her official car receives special treatment and, except for the King's, is the only vehicle in the country not to have number plates. However, the plates are re-attached during the closing speech of the Assembly, and the Lord High Commissioner returns to his royal but temporary residence as an ordinary citizen. In recent years, the garden party has been replaced by the "Heart and Soul" event, held in Princes Street Gardens and attended by the Lord High Commissioner. [6]

Household

There is a Household of His Grace the Lord High Commissioner. This includes the Purse Bearer (who is the head of the Household), Chaplain, Aides-de-Camp (three in 1949), a Lady-in-Waiting, Extra Lady-in-Waiting, and Maids of Honour (three in 1949). The Macebearer bears the Lord President's Mace or the Old Exchequer Mace. The Master of the Horse is no longer appointed. The subordinate staff further includes the Assistant to the Purse Bearer, and a Lady's Maid. The Household make no financial demands on the funds of the Church of Scotland, which are devoted exclusively to the Parish and Mission work of the Kirk.

List of office holders

Lord high commissioners

List of purse bearers

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Campbell, 1st Earl of Loudoun</span> Scottish politician and Covenanter

John Campbell, 1st Earl of Loudoun was a Scottish politician and Covenanter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marquess of Linlithgow</span>

Marquess of Linlithgow, in the County of Linlithgow or West Lothian, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 23 October 1902 for John Hope, 7th Earl of Hopetoun. The current holder of the title is Adrian Hope.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victor Hope, 2nd Marquess of Linlithgow</span> British politician, agriculturalist and colonial administrator (1887–1952)

Victor Alexander John Hope, 2nd Marquess of Linlithgow, was a British Unionist politician and statesman, agriculturalist, and colonial administrator. He served as Governor-General and Viceroy of India from 1936 to 1943. He also served as vice president of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh and Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. He was usually referred to as LordLinlithgow, or simply Linlithgow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland</span> One of the officers of the crown in Scotland

The Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland is the keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland, and one of the great officers of state in Scotland. The Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland is the incumbent First Minister of Scotland, formally the First Minister and Keeper of the Scottish Seal, a role currently held by John Swinney since 8 May 2024.

The Privy Council of Scotland was a body that advised the Scottish monarch. In the range of its functions the council was often more important than the Estates in the running the country. Its registers include a wide range of material on the political, administrative, economic and social affairs of the Kingdom of Scotland. The council supervised the administration of the law, regulated trade and shipping, took emergency measures against the plague, granted licences to travel, administered oaths of allegiance, banished beggars and gypsies, dealt with witches, recusants, Covenanters and Jacobites and tackled the problem of lawlessness in the Highlands and the Borders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Treaty of Union</span> Agreement that led to the creation of the new state of Great Britain

The Treaty of Union is the name usually now given to the treaty which led to the creation of the new state of Great Britain. The treaty united the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland to be "United into One Kingdom by the Name of Great Britain". At the time it was more often referred to as the Articles of Union.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Johnstone, 1st Marquess of Annandale</span> Scottish nobleman

William Johnstone, 2nd Earl of Annandale and Hartfell, 1st Marquess of Annandale KT was a Scottish nobleman. He was the son of James Johnstone, 1st Earl of Annandale and Hartfell and Henrietta Douglas. He succeeded to the Earldom of Annandale and Hartfell on the death of his father in 1672.

Charles Hope, 1st Earl of Hopetoun, KT, PC was a Scottish nobleman.

John, Johnny, or Jon Hamilton may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clan Hope</span> Lowland Scottish clan

Clan Hope is a Scottish clan of the Scottish Lowlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Hope, 2nd Earl of Hopetoun</span>

John Hope, 2nd Earl of Hopetoun was a Scottish aristocrat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Hope-Johnstone, 3rd Earl of Hopetoun</span> Scottish peer, politician and military officer.

James Hope-Johnstone, 3rd Earl of Hopetoun FRSE was a Scottish peer, politician and military officer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Hope-Weir</span> Scottish politician

The Hon. Charles Hope-Weir was a Scottish politician.

Events from the year 1705 in the Kingdom of Scotland.

Events from the year 1703 in the Kingdom of Scotland.

Events from the year 1701 in the Kingdom of Scotland.

Walter Campbell, 3rd of Shawfield and Islay and 9th of Skipness was a Scottish landowner, advocate and Rector of Glasgow University.

The order of precedence in Ireland was fixed by Royal Warrant on 2 January 1897 during Ireland's ties to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Ogilvy, 5th Earl of Findlater</span> Scottish peer

James Ogilvy, 5th Earl of Findlater and 2nd Earl of Seafield was a Scottish peer.

References

  1. ↑ Urwick, William (1843). Thoughts suggested by the late ecclesiastical movement in Scotland. p. 16. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  2. ↑ "History". Church of Scotland. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  3. ↑ "The Union of 1929 and What Came After: Developments in Mainline Scottish Presbyterianism in the 20th Century". Affinity. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  4. ↑ "Scottish independence and the Establishment Principle? | Law & Religion UK". 19 May 2014.
  5. ↑ "General Assembly".
  6. ↑ Heart and Soul 2016.
  7. ↑ "No. 27310". The London Gazette . 3 May 1901. p. 3033.
  8. ↑ "No. 27428". The London Gazette . 25 April 1902. p. 2789.
  9. ↑ Appointment of Lord High Commissioner for 2009 Archived 2008-12-09 at the UK Government Web Archive
  10. ↑ Number 10 – Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2014 (Accessed 8 December 2013)
  11. ↑ "Queen Appoints senior judge as Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly". Archived from the original on 11 January 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  12. ↑ "Prince William is appointed Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2020". gov.uk. 25 January 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  13. ↑ "Prince William is appointed Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2021". gov.uk. 22 March 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  14. ↑ "Appointment of the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2022". gov.uk. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  15. ↑ "Appointment of the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2023". gov.uk. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  16. ↑ "Appointment of the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2024". GOV.UK. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  17. ↑ "No. 33611". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 December 1929. p. 3473.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.