Lord-Lieutenant

A lord-lieutenant (UK: lef-TEN-ənt) is the British monarch's personal representative in each lieutenancy area of the United Kingdom. Historically, each lieutenant was responsible for organising the county's militia. In 1871, the lieutenant's responsibility over the local militia was removed. However, it was not until 1921 that they formally lost the right to call upon able-bodied men to fight when needed. Lord-lieutenant is now an honorary titular position usually awarded to a notable person in the county, and despite the title of the office, may be either male or female, peer or not.