I am a historian of the British constitution whose work focuses on the Crown, the House of Lords, and the Church of England
Madison, WI
Joined June 2011
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These Letters Patent have me perplexed. They lack the usual warranty ("By HM's Command" is normally seen on Royal Warrants rather than patents) and they don't bear the surname of the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery. I also can't make out the seal. 🤔1/2
While falling down the rabbit hole of American Privy Seals, I found this very fancy instrument bearing the Executive Privy Seal of New York. It certifies that a pen was used to sign a bill into law. Note that it's been countersigned by the Secretary to the Governor.
Today, the Letters Patent the Law Officers receive after taking office are somewhat unusual in that they confirm the appointments instead of making them. But a 1936 Warrant for the Solicitor General's patent suggests he *was* appointed by the instrument.🧐1/2
The end of a Parliament traditionally involves two Privy Council meetings. The first approves the legislature's prorogation while the second approves its dissolution. Several days normally elapse between these meetings, but on Nov. 28, 1910, they took place just two hours apart.
TFW you learn that the Cabinet Office hasn't even started the internal review you requested on January 5. 🙃
Some further thoughts on ecclesiastical advice. Removing these religious disabilities is consistent with the Royal Supremacy in its modern form. It’s incongruous that Burnham can’t advise on appointments but can vote on Church matters in the Commons. venerablepuzzle.wordpress.co…
Andy Burnham has transferred the PM's responsibility for advising the King on ecclesiastical appointments to the Lord Chancellor. As a Roman Catholic, he's legally barred from giving that advice. My thoughts on what happened and what comes next. venerablepuzzle.wordpress.co…
I'm starting a new series on my blog. CBAI Spotlight takes a closer look at documents from the Corpus of British Administrative Instruments. First up: a pair of Letters Patent from the Duchy of Lancaster appointing a Chancellor and an Attorney General. venerablepuzzle.wordpress.co…
The Royal Warrant governing the King's various Awards for Enterprise is a relatively rare example of an instrument that is still published in full in The Gazette. However, the Gazette notice now omits the countersigning Minister's name. 1/4
It's somewhat rare for the British Prime Minister to countersign a Royal Warrant. It's far more common for one of the Secretaries of State (especially the Justice Secretary) to perform that function. 3/4
Jason Loch 🏳️🌈 retweeted
In 1908, the Lord President of the Council became incapable of discharging his duties. His office was put into commission by Letters Patent, but the sealing of this instrument may have broken the law. venerablepuzzle.wordpress.co…
In 1908, the Lord President of the Council became incapable of discharging his duties. His office was put into commission by Letters Patent, but the sealing of this instrument may have broken the law. venerablepuzzle.wordpress.co…
When a new Lord Chancellor takes office, there will likely be a number of instruments that are in the process of being sealed. A Warrant from the King allows the new Lord Chancellor to affix the Great Seal to these documents. Here's Shabana Mahmood's Warrant from 2024. 1/6
Similar Warrants were issued after a Demise of the Crown, though the text was slightly different. But in 2022, the King issued a Warrant to the Lord Chancellor directing him to seal the patent conferring city status on Doncaster that was awaiting sealing when the Queen died. 5/6
