First Lord of the Admiralty
The First Lord of the Admiralty (abbrev. FLA) is the honorary title given to Martin A. Lessem, the founder of The Royal Manticoran Navy: The Official Honor Harrington Fan Association, Inc. (TRMN).
Before the adoption of the TRMN Bylaws in 2023, the office of FLA was synonymous with that of President and Chairman of TRMN. Martin Lessem held this position, along with the rank of Admiral of the Fleet, from the founding of TRMN though 2024.
In 2024, Joint Chiefs Directive 2401-01 reestablished the title of First Lord of the Admiralty as an honorary title with purely ceremonial duties and disestablished the Office of the First Lord of the Admiralty as a TRMN executive body.
History
Former Organization & Mandate
Per the TRMN Membership Handbook, circa 2011:
The First Lord of the Admiralty is the President of The Royal Manticoran Navy: The Official Honor Harrington Fan Association, Inc. and serves as Chairman of the Board. For the work they do, this person is awarded the rank of Admiral of the Fleet. The duties of the First Lord of the Admiralty are as follows (These duties may be expanded as necessary by Admiralty Orders.): * Day-to-day running of the organization * Appointment of Officers to the Senior Leadership Positions * The Official Media Contact of the Royal Manticoran Navy: The Official Honor Harrington Fan Association, Inc. * Responsible for calling and chairing Board Meetings * Responsible for chairing the Annual Membership Meeting * The Official Legal Contact of the Royal Manticoran Navy: The Official Honor Harrington Fan Association, Inc.
Admiralty House
The top leadership of TRMN were referred to collectively as Admiralty House, named after the canon headquarters building of the Royal Manticoran Navy.
First Lord of the Admiralty
| # | Name | Assumed | Relieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FAdm Martin Lessem | 01 Feb 2008 | Incumbent |
Orders
- Main Article: Admiralty Orders
The orders of the First Lord of the Admiralty are known within the organization as Admiralty Orders.
Honorverse
In the context of the Honorverse canon, the First Lord of the Admiralty was the civilian head of the Royal Manticoran Navy, to whom the uniformed Space Lords reported.