regent

Just over a week after the death of his father, John, in October 1216, the nine-year-old Henry III was crowned king of England by Peter des Roches, bishop of Winchester. The regency council that ruled in his name effectively clung to power until 1234, when Henry was 27 years old.

Person who carries out the duties of a sovereign during the sovereign's minority, incapacity, or lengthy absence from the country. In England since the time of Henry VIII, Parliament has always appointed a regent or council of regency when necessary.

No provision was made for a regent between 1837 (when it was provided that the government should be carried on by the lords justices in the event of Queen Victoria's decease whilst the heir (until 1841 the Duke of Cumberland) was abroad) and 1937. The office of regent in early times usually fell to the justiciar in the event of the sovereign's absence; subsequently the regent or a council of regency was appointed from among the powerful nobles. Regencies were established during the minorities of Henry III, Edward III, Richard II, Henry VI, Edward V, and Edward VI, and during the insanity of Henry VI. The most recent period of prolonged regency occurred during the reign of George III, whose mental illness in 1788 and after 1810 led to the nomination of the Prince of Wales as regent.

Legislation was passed to deal with particular contingencies during the reigns of William IV, Victoria, and George V, but comprehensive provision for the incapacity, illness, or absence of the sovereign was not passed until 1937. The Regency Acts 1937–53 now provide for the delegation of royal function to counsellors of state, who may be the wife or husband of the sovereign, the four people next in succession to the throne, and, since 1953, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Counsellors of state may not, however, dissolve Parliament nor grant peerages. The same legislation also provides for the establishment of a regency where the sovereign is under 18 years of age and in the event of the mental or physical incapacity of the sovereign.