one who governs a kingdom during the minority or absence of the king.

In France, the queen-mother had the regency of the kingdom during the minority of the king, under the title of queen-regent.

In England, the methods of appointing this guardian or regent have been so various, and the duration of his power so uncertain, that from hence alone it may be collected that his office is unknown to the common law; and therefore (as Sir Edward Coke says, 4 Inst. 58.) the surest way is to have him made by authority of the great council in parliament. The earl of Pembroke by his own authority assumed in very troublome times the regency of Henry III., who was then only nine years old; but was declared of full age by the pope at 17, confirmed the great charter at 18, and took upon him the administration of the government at 20. A guardian and councils of regency were named for Edward III. by the parliament, which deposed his father; the young king being then 15, and not affuming the government till three years after. When Richard II. succeeded at the age of 11, the duke of Lancaster took upon him the management of the kingdom till the parliament met, which appointed a nominal council to assist him. Henry V. on his death-bed named a regent and a guardian for his infant son Henry VI. then nine months old; but the parliament altered his disposition, and appointed a protector and council, with a special limited authority. Both these princes remained in a state of pupilage till the age of 23. Edward V. at the age of 13, was recommended by his father to the care of the duke of Gloucester; who was declared protector by the privy-council. The statutes 25 Hen. VIII. c. 12, and 28 Henry VIII. c. 7, provided, that the successor, if a male and under 18, or if a female and under 16, should be till such age in the governance of his or her natural mother, (if approved by the king), and such other counsellors as his majesty should by will or otherwise appoint: and he accordingly appointed his 16 executors to have the government of his son Edward VI. and the kingdom, which executors elected the earl of Hartford protector. The statutes 24 Geo. II. c. 24, in case the crown should descend to any of the children of Frederic late prince of Wales under the age of 18, appointed the princess dowager;—and that of 5 Geo. III. c. 27, in case of a like descent to any of his present majesty's children, empowers the king to name either the queen or princess dowager, or any descendant of King George II. residing in this kingdom;—to be guardian and regent till the successor attains such age, assisted by Regent, a council of regency; the powers of them all being expressly defined and set down in the several acts.