Lord Keeper of the Great Seal

The office of chancellor from the time of Thomas Becket onwards varied much in importance.

Consequently, it became not unusual to place the personal custody of the great seal in the hands of a vice-chancellor or keeper; this was also the practice followed during a temporary vacancy in the chancellorship.

[2] This office gradually developed into a permanent appointment, and the lord keeper acquired the right of discharging all the duties connected with the great seal.

In subsequent reigns the lord keeper was generally raised to the chancellorship, and retained the custody of the seal.

[2] The last lord keeper was Robert Henley, afterwards Earl of Northington, who was made chancellor on the accession of George III.