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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.

During the 18th century, Secretaries of State for the Northern Department, if peers, were often Leaders of the House of LordsLeader of the House of Lords is a function in the British government that is always held in combination with a formal Cabinet position, most often Lord President of the Council, Lord Privy Seal or Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The Leader of the Ho as well.

Secretaries of State for the Northern Department, 1660-1782

• Sir William MoriceSir William Morice (c. 1628 7 February 1690) was an English royalist statesman of the 17th century who served as Secretary of State for the Northern Department and a Lord of the Treasury from June 1660 to September 1668; he was created a baronet on 20 Apr: 27 June 1660Events January 1 colonel George Monck with his regiment crosses from Scotland to England at the village of Coldstream and begins advance towards London in support of English Restoration February 2 George Monck and his regiment arrive in London February 23 - 29 September 1668Events January The Triple Alliance of 1668 is formed. February 13 Lisbon Peace Treaty between Afonso VI of Portugal and Carlos II of Spain, by mediation of Charles II of England where it is recognized the legitimity of the portuguese monarch. Portugal yie
• Sir John Trevor: 29 September 1668Events January The Triple Alliance of 1668 is formed. February 13 Lisbon Peace Treaty between Afonso VI of Portugal and Carlos II of Spain, by mediation of Charles II of England where it is recognized the legitimity of the portuguese monarch. Portugal yie - 8 July 1672
• Henry Coventry 8 July 1672 - 11 September 1674
• Sir Joseph Williamson: 11 September 1674 - 20 February 1679
• Robert Spencer, 2nd Earl of Sunderland: 20 February 1679 - 26 April 1680
• Sir Leoline Jenkins: 26 April 1680 - 2 February 1681
• Edward Conway, 1st Earl of Conway : 2 February 1681 - 14 April 1684
• Sidney Godolphin, 1st Lord Godolphin: 14 April - 24 August 1684
• Charles Middleton, 2nd Earl of Middleton: 24 August 1684 - 28 October 1688
• Richard Graham, 1st Viscount Preston : 28 October - 2 December 1688
• Daniel Finch, 2nd Earl of Nottingham: 5 March 1689 - 26 December 1690
• Henry Sydney, 1st Viscount Sydney of Sheppey : 26 December 1690 - 3 March 1692
• Daniel Finch, 2nd Earl of Nottingham: 3 March 1692 - 23 March 1693
• Sir John Trenchard: 23 March 1693 - 2 March 1694
• Charles Talbot, 1st Duke of Shrewsbury: 2 March 1694 - 3 May 1695
• Sir William Trumbull : 3 May 1695 - 2 December 1697
• James Vernon : 2 December 1697 - 5 November 1700
• Sir Charles Hedges : 5 November 1700 - 29 December 1701
• James Vernon : 4 January - 1 May 1702
• Sir Charles Hedges : 2 May 1702 - 18 May 1704
• Robert Harley: 18 May 1704 - 13 February 1708
• Henry Boyle : 13 February 1708 - 21 September 1710
• Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke: 21 September 1710 - 17 August 1713
• William Bromley : 17 August 1713 - 17 September 1714
• Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend: 17 September 1714 - 12 December 1716
• James Stanhope: 12 December 1716 - 12 April 1717
• Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland: 12 April 1717 - 2 March 1718
• James Stanhope, 1st Earl Stanhope: 16 March 1718 - 4 February 1721
• Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend: 10 February 1721 - 16 May 1730
• William Stanhope, 1st Lord Harrington: 19 June 1730 - 12 February 1742
• John Carteret, 2nd Lord Carteret: 12 February 1742 - 24 November 1744
• William Stanhope, 1st Earl of Harrington: 24 November 1744 - 10 February 1746
• John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville: 10 February - 14 February 1746
• William Stanhope, 1st Earl of Harrington: 14 February - 28 October 1746
• Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield: 29 October 1746 - 6 February 1748
• Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle: 6 February 1748 - 23 March 1754
• Robert Darcy, 4th Earl of Holdernesse: 23 March 1754 - 25 March 1761
• John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute: 25 March 1761 - 27 May 1762
• George Grenville: 27 May - 9 October 1762
• George Montague-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax: 14 October 1762 - 9 September 1763
• John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich: 9 September 1763 - 10 July 1765
• Augustus Henry Fitzroy, 3rd Duke of Grafton: 12 July 1765 - 14 May 1766
• Henry Seymour Conway: 23 May 1766 - 20 January 1768
• Thomas Thynne, 3rd Viscount Weymouth 20 January - 21 October 1768
• William Nassau de Zuylestein, 4th Earl of Rochford: 21 October 1768 - 19 December 1770
• John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich: 19 December 1770 - 12 January 1771
• George Montague-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax: 19 January - 6 June 1771
• Henry Howard, 12th Earl of Suffolk: 12 June 1771 - 7 March 1779
• Thomas Thynne, 3rd Viscount Weymouth: 7 March - 27 October 1779
• David Murray, 7th Viscount Stormont: 27 October 1779 - 27 March 1782