Lord Chancellor of Scotland facts for kids
The Lord Chancellor of Scotland was a very important official in the old Kingdom of Scotland. Think of them as a top advisor and a key leader in the government. This person was officially called the Lord High Chancellor.
People held this important job from as early as 1123. Sometimes, if the Chancellor was busy, a different official called the Keeper of the Great Seal would do some of their duties. From the 1400s onwards, the Chancellor was usually a Bishop (a high-ranking church leader) or a Peer (a noble, like an Earl or a Lord).
When Scotland and England joined together to form Great Britain in 1707, the role of Lord Chancellor of Scotland changed. The Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England became the first Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain. However, the Earl of Seafield continued to be the Lord Chancellor of Scotland until 1708. He was appointed again in 1713 and served until he passed away in 1730.
Contents
What Did the Lord Chancellor Do?
The Lord Chancellor was one of the most powerful people in Scotland. They were in charge of the Great Seal of Scotland, which was used to make official documents and laws valid. Imagine it like a special stamp that made everything official!
Key Responsibilities
The Chancellor had many important jobs. They were often the king's main advisor and helped him make big decisions for the country. They also played a huge role in the Scottish Parliament, helping to lead meetings and discussions.
Legal Duties
Another key part of the Chancellor's job was in the legal system. They were often the head of the highest court in Scotland. This meant they helped make sure laws were fair and that justice was served across the kingdom.
Who Held the Office?
Over the centuries, many different people held the title of Lord Chancellor. As mentioned, they were often important church leaders like Bishops or powerful nobles. This shows how closely connected the church, the nobility, and the government were in those times.
Early Chancellors
In the early days, from the 1100s to the 1300s, many Chancellors were churchmen. For example, during the time of David I and William I, you would find Bishops and Archdeacons in this role. They were educated and trusted by the kings.
Later Chancellors and Nobles
As time went on, especially from the 1400s, more nobles started to become Lord Chancellors. These were powerful families like the Campbells and the Douglases. They helped the kings rule and often had a lot of influence in the Scottish court.
Changes Over Time
The role of the Lord Chancellor changed a bit over the centuries, but it always remained a position of great power and trust. It was a job that required someone to be smart, loyal, and able to handle many different responsibilities, from advising the king to leading in Parliament and the courts.
See also
- Director of Chancery
- Privy Council of Scotland
- Treasurer of Scotland
- Treasurer-depute of Scotland
- Secretary of State, Scotland
- List of Masters of Requests
