First Whig Junto

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The First Whig Junto controlled the government of England from 1694 to 1699.

Having slowly increased their presence in government under Lord Danby, the Whig Junto established dominance in 1694 with the appointment of Charles Montagu as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Danby remained in office, but the Junto controlled the government of England from 1694 to 1699. It had six prominent members: Montagu (who emerged as overall leader in 1697, the same year that the last Tory, Godolphin, was removed from office), Somers, Wharton, Romney, Orford and Shrewsbury. Amongst its Parliamentary leaders were the Earls of Sunderland and Portland in the House of Lords. The Whigs held a majority in the House of Commons after the election in 1695, although not all Whig MPs were unswervingly loyal to the Junto.

OFFICE NAME TERM
Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir Charles Montagu 1694–1699
Lord High Treasurer 1697–1699
Lord Keeper The Lord Somers 1694–1697
Lord Chancellor 1697–1699
Comptroller of the Household The Lord Wharton 1694–1699
Master-General of the Ordnance The Earl of Romney 1694–1699
Lord High Admiral The Earl of Orford 1694–1699
Northern Secretary The Duke of Shrewsbury 1694–1695
Southern Secretary 1695–1698
Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Tenison 1694–1699
Lord High Treasurer The Lord Godolphin of Rialton 1694–1697
Lord President of the Council The Duke of Leeds 1694–1699
Lord Privy Seal The Earl of Pembroke 1694–1699
Lord Steward The Duke of Devonshire 1694–1699
Lord Chamberlain The Earl of Sunderland 1695–1699
Southern Secretary Sir John Trenchard 1694–1695
Northern Secretary Sir William Trumbull 1695–1697
James Vernon 1697–1699
  • James Vernon was appointed Secretary of State in 1697, with responsibility for the Northern Department. The following year, after the Duke of Shrewsbury left the government, he took responsibility for the Southern Department as well.


Ministries of the 17th century
Charles II (1660-1685)

Clarendon Ministry | Cabal Ministry | First Danby ministry |
Privy Council Ministry | First Rochester ministry | Godolphin Ministry

James II (1685-1688)

Second Rochester Ministry | Belasyse Ministry

William and Mary (1689-1694)

Carmarthen/Halifax Ministry | Carmarthen (Second Danby) Ministry

William III (1694-1702)

First Whig Junto | Pembroke Ministry