| England Secretary of State | |
|---|---|
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| Member of | Privy Council |
| Seat | Westminster, London |
| Appointer | The English Monarch |
| Term length | No fixed term |
| Formation | 1253–1645 |
| First holder | John Maunsell |
| Final holder | George Digby, 2nd Earl of Bristol |
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1485 to 1487
In the Kingdom of England, the title of Secretary of State came into being near the end of the reign of Elizabeth I, the usual title before that having been King's Clerk, King's Secretary, or Principal Secretary.
From the time of Henry VIII, there were usually two secretaries of state. After the restoration of the monarchy of 1660, the two posts were specifically designated as the Secretary of State for the Northern Department and the Secretary of State for the Southern Department. Both dealt with home affairs and they divided foreign affairs between them.