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Department overview | |
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Formed | 1660 |
Dissolved | 1782 |
Superseding Department | |
Jurisdiction | Kingdom of Great Britain |
Minister responsible |
TheNorthern Department was a department of the government of theKingdom of England from 1660 to 1707 and later theKingdom of Great Britain from 1707 until 1782 when its functions were reorganised into the newHome Office andForeign Office.[1]
The Northern Department was, together with theSouthern Department, responsible for both foreign and domestic affairs. Foreign affairs were split between the two departments on a geographical basis, with the Northern Department taking responsibility forRussia,Sweden,Denmark-Norway,Poland, theNetherlands, and the GermanHoly Roman Empire. Responsibility for domestic affairs was shared between the two departments. After England united with Scotland to form theKingdom of Great Britain, the two departments also split responsibility for Scottish affairs, except during those times when there was an appointedSecretary of State for Scotland.[2] Responsibility for overseas military strategy was also shared between the two departments.
It was administered by theSecretary of State for the Northern Department.
In 1782, the Northern and Southern Departments were reorganized, with theForeign Office taking over their foreign responsibilities and theHome Office taking over their domestic responsibilities (including colonies).
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