The position of Lord High Steward of England, not to be confused with the Lord Steward, a court functionary, is the first of the Great Officers of State. Although initially the position was largely an honorary one, over time it grew in importance until its holder became one of the most powerful men of the kingdom. From the late 12th century, the office was considered to be bound with the Earldom of Leicester. When the House of Lancaster ascended the throne in 1399, Henry IV made his second son, Thomas of Lancaster, Duke of Clarence, Lord High Steward, but following the latter's death in 1421 the office has generally remained vacant, except at coronations and during the trial of peers, when the Lord High Steward presides. In general, the Lord Chancellor was appointed to act as Lord High Steward in the latter situation. This right of the Lord High Steward was taken away following the Second World War.

In Scotland, the hereditary position of High Steward was given in the 12th century to Walter Fitzalan, whose descendants became the Stewart family. In 1371, the last High Steward inherited the throne, and thereafter the title of High Steward of Scotland has been held as a subsidiary title to that of Duke of Rothesay, held by the heir-apparent. Thus, currently, The Prince of Wales is High Steward of Scotland.

In Ireland, the position was sometimes known as the Hereditary Seneschal. The position was held from the 15th century by the Earls of Shrewsbury and Waterford, also the Premier Earls of both England and Ireland.

Table of contents
1 Lord High Stewards of England, 1186-1421
2 Lord High Stewards of England at coronations, 1422-present
3 Lord High Stewards of England at the Trials of Peers, 1422-present
4 Lord High Stewards of Scotland, ca.1150-present
5 Lord High Stewards of Ireland, 1446-present

Lord High Stewards of England, 1186-1421

Lord High Stewards of England at coronations, 1422-present

Lord High Stewards of England at the Trials of Peers, 1422-present

Lord High Stewards of Scotland, ca.1150-present

Lord High Stewards of Ireland, 1446-present

  • John Talbot, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury and Waterford 1446-1453
  • John Talbot, 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury and Waterford 1453-1460
  • John Talbot, 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury and Waterford 1460-1473
  • George Talbot, 4th Earl of Shrewsbury and Waterford 1473-1538
  • Francis Talbot, 5th Earl of Shrewsbury and Waterford 1538-1560
  • George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury and Waterford 1560-1590
  • George Talbot, 7th Earl of SHrewsbury and Waterford 1590-1616
  • Edward Talbot, 8th Earl of SHrewsbury and Waterford 1616-1617
  • George Talbot, 9th Earl of Shrewsbury and Waterford 1617-1630
  • John Talbot, 10th Earl of SHrewsbury and Waterford 1630-1654
  • Francis Talbot, 11th Earl of Shrewsbury and Waterford 1654-1667
  • Charles Talbot, 1st Duke of Shrewsbury, 12th Earl of Shrewsbury and Waterford 1667-1718
  • Gilbert Talbot, 13th Earl of Shrewsbury and Waterford 1718-1743
  • George Talbot, 14th Earl of SHrewsbury and Waterford 1743-1787
  • Charles Talbot, 15th Earl of Shrewsbury and Waterford 1787-1827
  • John Talbot, 16th Earl of SHrewsbury and Waterford 1827-1852
  • Bertram Arthur Talbot, 17th Earl of Shrewsbury and Waterford 1852-1856
  • Henry John Chetwynd-Talbot, 18th Earl of Shrewsbury and Waterford 1856-1868
  • Henry John Chetwynd-Talbot, 19th Earl of Shrewsbury and Waterford 1868-1877
  • Charles Henry John Chetwynd-Talbot, 20th Earl of Shrewsbury and Waterford 1877-1921
  • John George Charles Henry Alton Alexander Chetwynd Chetwynd-Talbot, 21st Earl of Shrewsbury and Waterford 1921-1980
  • Charles Henry John Benedict Crofton Chetwynd Chetwynd-Talbot, 22nd Earl of Shrewsbury and Waterford 1980-