Privy Seal
Encyclopedia
A privy seal refers to the personal seal of a reigning monarch
, used for the purpose of authenticating official government document.
can be traced back to the reign of King John
. It has been suggested that it was originally the seal
that accompanied the person of the Sovereign, while the Great Seal
was required to remain in the Chancery
.
Prior to its adoption as the Privy Seal of the United Kingdom
after the Act of Union 1707, its most notable appearance in Scottish history was its capture by the Scots in the aftermath of the Battle of Byland Ridge in 1322, when the Scots led by Robert the Bruce almost captured Edward II, who was forced to flee leaving behind many personal possessions including the Privy Seal.
The Great Seal Act 1884 effectively ended the use of the Privy Seal by providing that it was no longer necessary for any instrument to be passed under the Privy Seal.
The Privy Seal of England was originally kept by the controller of the wardrobe, but by 1323 the distinct office of Keeper of the Privy Seal had emerged. The present-day title of this office, Lord Privy Seal
, is recorded in 1539.
, which existed from at least the reign of Alexander III
.
Article XXIV of the Treaty of Union provided that-
The Seal was last used in 1898 to execute the commission appointing the Rev. James Cooper to a Regius Chair
at the University of Glasgow
, but has never been abolished. The office of Keeper of the Privy Seal
has not been filled since the death of the Marquess of Breadalbane
in 1922.
Monarch
A monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
, used for the purpose of authenticating official government document.
Privy Seal of England
The Privy Seal of EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
can be traced back to the reign of King John
John of England
John , also known as John Lackland , was King of England from 6 April 1199 until his death...
. It has been suggested that it was originally the seal
Seal (device)
A seal can be a figure impressed in wax, clay, or some other medium, or embossed on paper, with the purpose of authenticating a document ; but the term can also mean the device for making such impressions, being essentially a mould with the mirror image of the design carved in sunken- relief or...
that accompanied the person of the Sovereign, while the Great Seal
Great Seal of the Realm
The Great Seal of the Realm or Great Seal of the United Kingdom is a seal that is used to symbolise the Sovereign's approval of important state documents...
was required to remain in the Chancery
Lord Chancellor
The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign...
.
Prior to its adoption as the Privy Seal of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
after the Act of Union 1707, its most notable appearance in Scottish history was its capture by the Scots in the aftermath of the Battle of Byland Ridge in 1322, when the Scots led by Robert the Bruce almost captured Edward II, who was forced to flee leaving behind many personal possessions including the Privy Seal.
The Great Seal Act 1884 effectively ended the use of the Privy Seal by providing that it was no longer necessary for any instrument to be passed under the Privy Seal.
The Privy Seal of England was originally kept by the controller of the wardrobe, but by 1323 the distinct office of Keeper of the Privy Seal had emerged. The present-day title of this office, Lord Privy Seal
Lord Privy Seal
The Lord Privy Seal is the fifth of the Great Officers of State in the United Kingdom, ranking beneath the Lord President of the Council and above the Lord Great Chamberlain. The office is one of the traditional sinecure offices of state...
, is recorded in 1539.
Privy Seal of Scotland
There was also a separate Privy Seal of ScotlandScotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, which existed from at least the reign of Alexander III
Alexander III of Scotland
Alexander III was King of Scots from 1249 to his death.-Life:...
.
Article XXIV of the Treaty of Union provided that-
- the Privy Seal ... now used in Scotland be continued But that the said Seals be altered and adapted to the State of the Union as Her Majesty shall think fit And the said Seals and all of them and the Keepers of them shall be subject to such regulations as the Parliament of Great Britain shall hereafter make...
The Seal was last used in 1898 to execute the commission appointing the Rev. James Cooper to a Regius Chair
Professor of Ecclesiastical History, Glasgow
The Chair of Ecclesiastical History of the University of Glasgow is the oldest chair of ecclesiastical history in the United Kingdom.It was founded in 1716 by King George I of Great Britain. The Crown granted 100 pounds per year for this purpose...
at the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
, but has never been abolished. The office of Keeper of the Privy Seal
Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland
The office of Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland, one of the Great Officers of State, first appears in the reign of David II. After the Act of Union 1707 its holder was normally a peer, like the Keeper of the Great Seal...
has not been filled since the death of the Marquess of Breadalbane
Gavin Campbell, 1st Marquess of Breadalbane
Gavin Campbell, 1st Marquess of Breadalbane KG, PC, JP, DL , styled Lord Glenorchy between 1862 and 1871 and known as The Earl of Breadalbane and Holland between 1871 and 1885, was a Scottish nobleman and Liberal politician.-Background and education:Campbell was born at Fermoy, County Cork, the...
in 1922.