and reason, where he finds the law of the land defective to collate to all ecclesiastical benefices rated under 201. a year: and to perform all matters which appertain to the speaker of the House of Lords.

In ancient times this great office was most usually filled by an ecclesiastic. The first upon record after the Conquest is Maurice, in 1067, who was afterwards bishop of London.

There is no instance of the elevation of any chancellor to the peerage until the year 1603, when King James I. delivered a new great seal to Sir Thomas Egerton, and soon after created him baron of Ellesmere, and constituted him lord high chancellor of England. But until of late years the custom never prevailed, that the lord high chancellor of England should be made an hereditary peer of the realm.

THE LORD HIGH TREASURER.

This was anciently the third great office of the crown. It was then conferred by the delivery of the golden keys of the treasury: but it is now executed by five persons, who are called lords commissioners for executing the office of lord high treasurer, viz., one who is called the first lord of the treasury, and four others, who are styled lords of the treasury only, of whom one is also denominated chancellor and under-treasurer of the exchequer, although not unfrequently the offices of first lord of the treasury, and of chancellor of the exchequer have been united in the same person.

THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL.

Formerly the fourth now the third great officer of state is appointed by the crown by letters patent under the great seal, durante bene placito (during pleasure). His duty is to attend the royal person, and to manage the debates in council; to propose matters from the sovereign at the council-table, and to report the resolutions taken thereon.

THE LORD PRIVY-SEAL.

The lord privy-seal is a place of great trust, honour, and antiquity. In the time of Edward III., and long after, this officer was called keeper of the privy-seal (or private seal) to distinguish him from the other, called keeper of the great seal. He is appointed now by letters patent, is a privy councillor by his office, and takes place next after the president of the council. He is now the fourth great officer of state, and has the custody of the privy-seal, which he must not put to any grant without good warrant under the royal signet. This seal is used by the sovereign to all charters, grants, and pardons, before they come to the great seal; but may also be affixed to other things that never pass the great seal; as, to cancel a recognizance to the crown, or to discharge a debt.

THE LORD GREAT CHAMBERLAIN.

This high office was for many successions enjoyed by the noble family of De Vere, earls of Oxford (having been granted to them by Henry I.), until the death of Henry de Vere, the eighteenth earl, without issue; when

Mary, sister and heir of Edward, father of the said Henry, having married Peregrine Bertie, Lord Willoughby of Eresby, was mother by him of Robert Lord Willoughby of Eresby, who made claim to the earldom of Oxford, as also to the office of lord great chamberlain of England; whereupon, after much dispute, the House of Lords gave judgment that he had made good his claim to the office but not to the earldom (which was decided in favour of the heir-male collateral); and he was accordingly on the 22nd of November, the 2nd of Charles I., admitted into the House of Lords with his staff; and his descendants continued to enjoy the same until the death of Robert Bertie, fourth duke of Ancaster, marquis and earl of Lindsey, Lord Willoughby of Eresby, and lord great chamberlain of England, in 1779; who dying unmarried, was succeeded in the dukedom, marquisate, and earldom, by his uncle, Lord Brownlow Bertie; but the barony of Willoughby fell into abeyance; and for the great chamberlainship there were several candidates, viz. the Lord Brownlow Bertie, then duke of Ancaster; earl Percy, eldest son of the duke of Northumberland; the duchess dowager of Athol, baroness Strange, of Knockyn, and the ladies Priscilla Barbara, and Georgiana Charlotte Bertie, sisters and co-heirs of Robert, fourth duke of Ancaster, deceased; when, after hearing all parties in support of their respective pretensions, the House of Peers desired the opinion of the twelve judges, who gave it as their opinions, that the office devolved to the ladies Priscilla Barbara, and Georgiana Charlotte Bertie, as heirs to their brother the aforesaid duke Robert, deceased; and that they had powers to appoint a deputy to act for them, not under the degree of a knight, who, if his

Majesty approved of him, might officiate accordingly; and agreeably to this opinion, the House gave judgment. Whereupon, Peter Burrell, Esq., husband of the said Lady Priscilla Barbara, was appointed, and received the honour of knighthood from his Majesty; after which appointment he was created lord Gwydir.

To this officer belong very many perquisites, privileges, &c., in lieu of which he usually on a coronation receives a sum of money.

When the king or queen goes to parliament, he disposes of the sword of state to be carried by what lord he pleases, at which time he goes himself before on the right hand of the sword, next the king or queen's person, and the earl marshal on the left.

*

Upon all solemn occasions the keys of Westminster Hall, the court of wards, and the court of requests, are delivered to him; and the gentleman-usher of the black rod, yeoman-usher, and the door-keepers, are then under his command.

To him also belongs the fitting up of Westminster Hall for a coronation, the trial of a peer, or any public solemnity.

He has likewise certain fees from every archbishop or bishop, when they do homage or fealty to the crown: and from all peers on their creation, or doing homage or fealty.

* By the search made by the Lord Chamberlain in the cellars under the Parliament-house, Guy Vaux (or Faux) was discovered and taken.

THE LORD HIGH CONSTABLE.

This office was for many ages held by grand serjeantry. The lord high constable and the earl marshal were formerly judges of the court of chivalry, called, in the time of Henry IV., curia militaris, and after, the court of honour. The power of the high constable was so great, and so improper a use was oftentimes made of it, that, so early as the 13th of Richard II., a statute was passed for regulating and abridging the same, together with the power of the earl marshal. The office went with inheritance, and by the tenure of the manors of Harlefield, Newman, and Whitenhurst, in the county of Gloucester,* in the family of the Bohuns, earls of Hereford, Essex, and Northampton, and passed from the Bohuns upon the death of Humphrey, the last earl, to Thomas of Woodstock, duke of Gloucester; and from him to the issue of Edmund, earl of Stafford, whose son, Humphrey Stafford, was created duke of Buckingham, with whose great-grandson, Edward Stafford, duke of Buckingham, beheaded by Henry VIII. on Tower Hill, this office terminated. It has never since been granted to any person, otherwise than pro tempore for a coronation, or trial by combat.†

*The castle of Caldecot, near Chepstow, in the county of Monmouth, was the residence of the lord high constables of England, and holden by them in virtue thereof.

The only instance that occurs of a trial by combat being ordered since the cessation of the office of lord high constable, is between Lord Reay and David Ramsay, Esq., 28th November, 1631 the king prevented this trial. On this occasion, Robert Bertie, earl of Lindsey, was appointed lord high constable.