Comptroller of the Household

Official position in the British royal household

The Comptroller of the Household is an ancient position in the British royal household, nominally the second-ranking member of the Lord Steward's department after the Treasurer of the Household. The Comptroller was an ex officio member of the Board of Green Cloth, until that body was abolished in the reform of local government licensing in 2004. In recent times, a senior government whip has invariably occupied the office. On state occasions the Comptroller (in common with certain other senior officers of the Household) carries a white staff of office, as often seen in portraits.[1]

"Comptroller" is an alternative spelling of "controller", recorded since around 1500 in a number of British titles, and later also in the United States. The variant in spelling results from the influence of French compte "account".

## History

[edit]

Sir Edward Rogers, 'Controller to Queen Elizabeth' in the 1560s, holding his white staff of office

The office of Comptroller of the Household derives from the medieval Household office of Controller of the Wardrobe, who was deputy to the Keeper (or Treasurer) of the Wardrobe, as well as an important official in his own right as keeper of the Privy Seal. Later, both these offices became high-ranking political appointments.

## Modern role

[edit]

In modern times, the Comptroller has become a less prominent position in British politics. The holder is the third-most senior Government whips in the House of Commons and is responsible for the day-to-day activity in the House.[2] Their responsibilities for the Royal Household are now largely ceremonial, such as serving as an usher at royal garden parties.[2] The role has been occupied by Chris Elmore since 2024.

## Known incumbents

[edit]

### 15th century

[edit]

* 1399–1400: Sir Robert Lytton[3]
* 1402–1413: John Spencer[4]
* after 1413: Sir Robert Babthorpe[5]
* 1432–c1450: Thomas Stanley, 1st Baron Stanley[6]
* 1460: Thomas Charlton[7]
* 1461–?1470: Sir John Scott
* 1471–1475: Sir William Parr[8][9][10]
* 1475–1481: Sir Robert Wingfield[9]
* 1481–1483: Sir William Parr[8][9][10]
* 1483–1485: Sir Robert Percy of Scotton[9]
* 1485–1489: Sir Richard Edgecumbe[11]
* 1489?–1492: Sir Roger Tocotes[11]
* 1492–1494: vacant
* 1494–1506: Sir Richard Guildford[11]

### 16th century

[edit]

* 1507–1509: Sir John Hussey[11]
* 1509–1519: Sir Edward Poynings[11]
* Sir Thomas Parr[8]
* 1519–1521: Sir Thomas Boleyn[11]
* 1521–1532: Sir Henry Guildford=[11]
* 1532–1537: Sir William Paulet[11]
* 1537–1539: Sir John Russell[11]
* 1539–1540: Sir William Kingston[11]
* 1540–1547: Sir John Gage[11]
* 1547–1550: Sir William Paget[11]
* 1550–1552: Sir Richard Wingfield[11]
* 1552–1553: Sir Richard Cotton[11]
* 1553–1557: Sir Robert Rochester[11]
* 1557–1558: Sir Thomas Cornwallis[11]
* 1558–1559: Sir Thomas Parry[11]
* 1559–1568: Sir Edward Rogers[11]
* 1568: Anthony Crane[12]
* 1568–1570: vacant
* 1570–1590: Sir James Croft[11]
* 1590–1596: vacant
* 1596–1602: William Knollys, 1st Earl of Banbury[11][12]

### 17th century

[edit]

* 1602–1604: Sir Edward Wotton[12]
* c1604: William Pitt
* 1616–1618: Sir Thomas Edmonds[11][13]
* 1618–1622: Sir Henry Cary (so created 1620)[11]
* 1622–1627: Sir ohn Suckling[11]
* 1627–1629: Sir John Savile,[11] created a baron in 1628.
* 1629–1639: Henry Vane the Elder[11]
* 1639–1641: Sir Thomas Jermyn[11]
* 1641–1643: Sir Peter Wyche[11]
* 1643–1646: Christopher Hatton, 1st Baron Hatton[11]
* 1660–1662: Sir Charles Berkeley
* 1662–1666: Sir Hugh Pollard, 2nd Baronet
* 1666–1668: Sir Thomas Clifford
* 1668–1672: Francis Newport, 2nd Baron Newport
* 1672–1687: William Maynard, 2nd Baron Maynard
* 1687–1688: Henry Waldegrave, 1st Baron Waldegrave
* 1689–1702: Thomas Wharton, 5th Baron Wharton

### 18th century

[edit]

* 1702–1704: Sir Edward Seymour, 4th Baronet
* 1704–1708: Sir Thomas Mansell, Bt
* 1708: Hugh Cholmondeley, 1st Earl of Cholmondeley
* 1708–1709: Sir Thomas Felton, 4th Baronet
* 1709–1711: Sir John Holland, 2nd Baronet
* 1711–1712: George Granville, 1st Baron Lansdowne
* 1713–1714: Sir John Stonhouse, 3rd Baronet
* 1714–1720: Hugh Boscawen
* 1720–1725: Paul Methuen
* 1725–1730: Daniel Finch, Lord Finch
* 1730–1754: Sir Conyers Darcy
* 1754–1756: Wills Hill, 1st Earl of Hillsborough
* 1756: John Hobart, Lord Hobart
* 1756–1761: Richard Edgcumbe, 2nd Baron Edgcumbe
* 1761: Henry Herbert, 1st Earl of Powis
* 1761–1762: Lord George Cavendish
* 1762–1763: Humphry Morice
* 1763–1765: Lord Charles Spencer
* 1765–1774: Thomas Pelham
* 1774–1777: Sir William Meredith, 3rd Baronet
* 1777–1779: George Onslow, 4th Baron Onslow
* 1779–1782: Sir Richard Worsley, 7th Baronet
* 1782–1784: Peter Ludlow, 1st Earl Ludlow
* 1784–1787: Robert Monckton-Arundell, 4th Viscount Galway
* 1787–1790: John Villiers
* 1790–1791: Dudley Ryder
* 1791–1797: George Parker, 4th Earl of Macclesfield
* 1797–1804: Lord Charles Somerset

### 19th century

[edit]

* 1804–1812: Lord George Thynne
* 1812–1830: Lord George Beresford
* 1830–1834: Lord Robert Grosvenor
* 1834–1835: Hon. Henry Lowry-Corry
* 1835–1841: George Byng
* 1841: Lord Marcus Hill
* 1841–1846: George Dawson-Damer
* 1846–1847: Lord Marcus Hill
* 1847–1851: William Lascelles
* 1851–1852: George Phipps, Earl of Mulgrave
* 1852: George Weld-Forester
* 1853–1856: Archibald Douglas, Viscount Drumlanrig
* 1856–1858: Valentine Browne, Viscount Castlerosse
* 1858–1859: George Weld-Forester
* 1859–1866: Granville Leveson Proby, Lord Proby
* 1866–1868: Charles Yorke, Viscount Royston
* 1868–1874: Lord Otho FitzGerald
* 1874–1879: Lord Henry Somerset
* 1879–1880: Hugh Seymour, Earl of Yarmouth
* 1880–1885: William Edwardes, 4th Baron Kensington
* 1885–1886: Lord Arthur Hill
* 1886: Edward Marjoribanks
* 1886–1892: Lord Arthur Hill
* 1892–1895: George Leveson-Gower
* 1895–1898: Lord Arthur Hill
* 1898–1905: Arthur Annesley, 11th Viscount Valentia

### 20th century

[edit]

* 1905–1909: Alexander William Charles Oliphant Murray, Master of Elibank
* 1909–1912: Arthur Foljambe, 2nd Earl of Liverpool
* 1912–1915: Geoffrey Cecil Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes, 18th Baron Saye and Sele
* 1915–1916: Charles Henry Roberts
* 1916–1919: Sir Edwin Cornwall
* 1919–1921: George Frederick Stanley
* 1921–1924: Harry Barnston
* 1924: John Allen Parkinson
* 1924–1928: Sir Harry Barnston
* 1928–1929: Sir William Cope
* 1929–1931: Thomas Henderson
* 1931: Goronwy Owen
* 1931–1932: Walter Rea
* 1932–1935: Sir Frederick Penny, Bt
* 1935: Sir Victor Warrender, Bt
* 1935: George Bowyer
* 1935–1937: Sir Lambert Ward
* 1937: Sir George Frederick Davies
* 1937–1939: Charles Waterhouse
* 1939–1940: Charles Kerr
* 1940–1942: William Whiteley
* 1942–1945: William John
* 1945: George Mathers
* 1945: Leslie Pym
* 1945–1946: Arthur Pearson
* 1946: Michael Stewart
* 1946–1951: Frank Collindridge
* 1951–1954: Roger Conant
* 1954–1955: Tam Galbraith
* 1955–1957: Hendrie Oakshott
* 1957–1958: Gerald Wills
* 1958–1959: Edward Wakefield
* 1959–1961: Harwood Harrison
* 1961–1964: Robin Chichester-Clark
* 1964–1966: Charles Grey
* 1966–1967: William Whitlock
* 1967–1968: William Howie
* 1968–1970: Ioan Evans
* 1970: Walter Elliot
* 1970–1972: Reginald Eyre
* 1972–1973: Bernard Weatherill
* 1973–1974: Walter Clegg
* 1974–1978: Joseph Harper
* 1978–1979: James Hamilton
* 1979–1981: Spencer le Marchant
* 1981–1983: Anthony Berry
* 1983–1986: Carol Mather
* 1986–1988: Robert Boscawen
* 1988–1989: Tristan Garel-Jones
* 1989–1990: Alastair Goodlad
* 1990: Sir George Young, 6th Baronet
* 1990–1995: David Lightbown
* 1995–1997: Timothy Wood
* 1997–2008: Tommy McAvoy

### 21st century

[edit]

* 2008–2010: John Spellar
* 2010–2013: Alistair Carmichael
* 2013–2015: Don Foster
* 2015–2016: Gavin Barwell[2]
* 2016–2017: Mel Stride
* 2017: Christopher Pincher
* 2018: Christopher Heaton-Harris
* 2018–2019: Mark Spencer
* 2019: Jeremy Quin
* 2019–2021: Mike Freer
* 2021–2022: Marcus Jones[14][15]
* 2022–2024: Rebecca Harris
* 2024–present: Chris Elmore

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Astington, John (1999). English Court Theatre, 1558–1642. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. p. 177\. ISBN 978-0-521-64065-7.
2. ^ a b c "Gavin Barwell given ancient Government role after holding on to Croydon Central seat". Your Local Guardan. Newsquest. 13 May 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
3. ^ LITTON, Sir Robert (d.c.1415), of Wennington, Essex History of Parliament
4. ^ SPENCER, John (d.1417), of Banham, Norf. and Burgate, Suff. History of Parliament
5. ^ Rawcliffe, Carol (1993), "Waterton, John (d.1417/18), of Waterton, Lincs. and Bramley, Surr.", in J.S. Roskell (ed.), The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1386–1421, retrieved 15 December 2017
6. ^ The history of the house of Stanley, etc p.41
7. ^ "Charlton, Sir Thomas". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. 2004. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/92982. Retrieved 1 December 2011. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
8. ^ a b c "Parr, William (1434-1483?)" . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
9. ^ a b c d The Household of Edward IV, Manchester University Press ND Google ebook
10. ^ a b The DNB gives Sir William Parr as Comptroller of the Household from 1471 to 1483; Household of Edward IV gives Parr's office dates as 1471–1475 and again in 1481–1483
11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab Green Cloth officeholders Archived 28 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine Institute of Historical Research
12. ^ a b c Kinney, Arthur F. (1973). Titled Elizabethans: A Directory of Elizabethan Court, State, and Church Officers, 1558–1603. North Haven, Connecticut: Shoe String Press.
13. ^ J. Palmer, A Biographical History of England (1824), 86–87
14. ^ @Marcus4Nuneaton (17 September 2021). "Honoured to be appointed as Comptroller of HM Household in the reshuffle" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
15. ^ "Comptroller of HM Household (Government Whip) - GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Retrieved 23 July 2022.

## External links

[edit]

* Comptroller Etymology OnLine
* Database of Court Officers Loyola University Chicago
* Whips from 1970 Archived 19 February 2006 at the Wayback Machine Political Science Resources

* v
* t
* e

Royal Household in England, Scotland and the United Kingdom

Great officers of the Household|

* Lord Chamberlain of the Household
* Vice-Chamberlain of the Household
* Lord Steward of the Household
* Master of the Horse
* His Majesty's Representative at Ascot
* Master of the Buckhounds
* Clerk Marshal
* Treasurer of the Household
* Comptroller of the Household

Other great officers of the Household
(currently among Great Officers of State)|

* Lord High Steward
* Lord Chancellor
* Purse Bearer
* Keeper of the Privy Seal
* Earl Marshal
* Knight Marshal

Private Secretary's Office|

* Private Secretary to the Sovereign
* Director for Security Liaison
* Royal Communications

Privy Purse and Treasurer's Office|

* Keeper of the Privy Purse
* Royal Almonry

Lord Chamberlain's Office|

* Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood
* Crown Equerry
* Gentleman of the Horse
* Master of the Revels

Master of the Household's Department|

* Master of the Household
* Master of the Household of Scotland
* Butler of Scotland

Board of Green Cloth|

* Clerk of the Green Cloth
* Cofferer of the Household

Lords/ladies-in-waiting|

* Mistress of the Robes
* Master of the Robes
* Groom of the Robes
* Groom in Waiting
* Page of Honour
* Maid of Honour
* Mother of the Maids

Medical Household|

* Physician to the King
* Serjeant Surgeon
* Apothecary to the Household
* Apothecary to the Household at Sandringham
* Apothecary to the Household at Windsor
* Coroner of the Queen's Household
* Medical Officer to The King

Ecclesiastical Household|

* Clerk of the Closet
* Deputy Clerk of the Closet
* Dean of the Chapel Royal
* Gentleman of the Chapel Royal
* Master of the Children of the Chapel Royal
* Honorary Chaplain to the King

Royal Archives and Royal Collection|

* Keeper of the Royal Archives
* Royal Librarian
* Surveyor of the King's Pictures
* Surveyor of the King's Works of Art
* Master of the Jewel Office
* Treasurer of the Chamber
* Crown Jeweller
* Historiographer Royal
* England
* Scotland

Wardrobe|

* Keeper (or Treasurer) of the Wardrobe
* Comptroller of the Wardrobe
* Cofferer of the Wardrobe
* Keeper of the Great Wardrobe

Privy chamber and bedchamber|

* Groom of the Chamber
* Lord of the Bedchamber
* Gentleman of the Bedchamber
* Lady of the Bedchamber
* Woman of the Bedchamber
* Chamberer
* Groom of the Stool (1509–1901)
* Page of the Backstairs

Bodyguards and guardians|

* King's Guard
* Yeomen of the Guard
* Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard
* Sovereign's Bodyguard
* Gold Stick-in-Waiting
* Silver Stick-in-Waiting
* Yeomen Warders
* High Constables and Guard of Honour of the Palace of Holyroodhouse

Animal keepers|

* Master of the Staghounds (1738–1782)
* Master of the Hawks
* Master of the Harriers
* Keeper of the Queen's Swans
* Warden of the Swans
* Marker of the Swans

Arts and entertainment|

* Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom
* Master of the Ceremonies
* Master of the King's Music
* Official Harpist to the Prince of Wales
* Groom Porter
* Piper to the Sovereign
* Piper to the Queen Mother
* Serjeant Painter
* Principal Painter in Ordinary
* Painter and Limner
* Flower Painter in Ordinary
* Sculptor in Ordinary for Scotland
* Grand Carver of England
* Master Carver
* Pantler of Scotland

Other positions|

* Defence Services Secretary
* Astronomer Royal
* Astronomer Royal for Scotland
* Geographer Royal
* Justiciar (1102–1261)
* Knight Marischal
* Personal aide-de-camp
* Armour-Bearer and Squire of His Majesty's Body
* King's Flag Sergeant
* Field Officer in Brigade Waiting
* Warden of the Mint (1216–1829)
* Gentleman Usher
* Gentleman Usher to the Sword of State
* His Majesty's Botanist
* King's Bargemaster
* Funeral directors

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template