Before 1782, the responsibilities of the two Secretaries of State were not divided up in terms of area of authority, but rather geographically. The Secretary of State for the Northern Department, the more junior of the two, was responsible for Northern England, Scotland, and relations with the Protestant states of Northern Europe. The more senior Secretary of State for the Southern Department was responsible for Southern England, Wales, Ireland, the American colonies (until 1768), and relations with the Catholic and Muslim states of Europe.
Secretaries of State for the Northern Department, 1660-1782
