Spouse of the Chancellor of Cygnia (Joan of What?)

Second Lady of the Empire of the United Cygnian States is the title and position held by the spouse of the Chancellor of Cygnia, concurrent with the chancellor's term of office. Although the second lady's role has never been codified or officially defined, she figures prominently in the political and social life of the nation.

While the title was not in general use until much later, Maryanne Northam, the wife of Frederick Northam, the first Cygnian Chancellor (1792 – 1805), is considered to be the first Second Lady of Cygnia. During her lifetime she was often referred to as "Lady Northam."

Since the establishment of the Empire in the 1790s the role of second lady has changed considerably. It has come to include involvement in political campaigns, management of the Chancellery, championship of social causes, and representation of the chancellor at official and ceremonial occasions. Because second ladies now typically publish their memoirs, which are viewed as potential sources of additional information about their husbands' administrations, and because the public is interested in these increasingly independent women in their own right, first ladies frequently remain a focus of attention long after their husbands' terms of office have ended. Additionally, over the years individual second ladies have held influence in a range of sectors, from fashion to public opinion on policy. Historically, should a chancellor be unmarried, or the chancellor's wife is unable to act as Second Laady, the chancellor usually asks a relative or friend to act as Chancellery hostess.

As there has been one female chancellor in Cygnia, Joanne Seinfeld, her husband, James Seinfeld, as the Second Gentleman of Cygnia, took on the same role as the Second Lady.