However, during the second half of King Edward III's reign, in the mid-fourteenth century, the Office of the Privy Seal took on various additional government roles.
By the end of Edward III's reign, this seal was known as the Signet and was in the custody of the King's Secretary.
[1] As such it is the precursor to the seals of office held by today's Secretaries of State.
The Privy Seal of England was originally overseen by the Clerks of the King's Chamber, but soon came to be kept by the controller of the wardrobe;[2] by 1323, however, the distinct office of Keeper of the Privy Seal had emerged with the appointment of Adam de Lymbergh (the first Keeper, who was not also Controller, having been appointed in 1307).
[3] The present-day title of this office, Lord Privy Seal, is first recorded in 1539.