A lord-lieutenant (UK: /lɛfˈtɛnənt/ lef-TEN-ənt)[1] is the British monarch's personal representative in each lieutenancy area of the United Kingdom. Historically, each lieutenant was responsible for organising the county's militia. In 1871, the lieutenant's responsibility over the local militia was removed. However, it was not until 1921 that they formally lost the right to call upon able-bodied men to fight when needed.[2]
Lord-lieutenant is now an honorary titular position usually awarded to a retired notable person in the county, and despite the name, may be either male or female.
- ^ "Definition: Lieutenant". Collins Dictionary. n.d. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
- ^ "History of the Lieutenancy". surreylieutenancy.org. Archived from the original on 3 September 2017.