[f. VICEROY + -SHIP.]
1. = VICEROYALTY 1.
1639. Fuller, Holy War, II. xxxv. 89. The Saracen Caliph commanded in Egypt; under whom, two great Lords … fell out about the Sultanie or Vice-royship of that land.
1686. Lond. Gaz., No. 2156/2. The Viceroyship of Sardinia, vacant by the removal of the Count de Fuensalichi to the Government of Milan, is not yet disposed of. Ibid. (1721), No. 5953/1. The Prince … took Possession of the Viceroyship of this Kingdom.
1794. Nelson, 24 Oct., in Nicolas, Disp. (1845), I. 498. Since your Excellency has taken upon you the Viceroyship of Corsica.
1893. Sir H. W. Norman, in Mem. (1908), 297. I cannot face the Viceroyship [of India]…. I feel I am not really equal to five years of arduous work.
2. = VICEROYALTY 2.
1609. Rowley, Search for Money (Percy Soc.), 24. These gardners, or guardians, of this their little viceroyship, were now approached us.
1703. J. Savage, Lett. Antients, lxxxii. 225. The Dominion and Viceroyship of the Triballians.
1766. J. Z. Holwell, Orig. Princ. Anc. Bramins, II. iv. (1779), 20. Thus the empire was divided into as many kingdoms, as there had been Vice-royships and Governments.
1827. Scott, Napoleon, xlvii. I will … divide it [sc. Spain] into five … viceroyships.
3. = VICEROYALTY 3.
1709. E. Ward, trans. Cervantes, 200. The Viceroy … resolv’d to be more favourable to Don Vincent, in case he should be found in Valencia, before his Viceroyship was expir’d.
1822. New Monthly Mag., VI. 51. His viceroyship will never be forgotten.
1889. Sir S. Walpole, Life Ld. J. Russell, I. xvii. 460. During the first few months of his Viceroyship.
