Clerk of the Commonwealth facts for kids
The Clerk of the Commonwealth in Chancery was an important job in England during a time called the Interregnum. This was a period when England did not have a king or queen, from 1649 to 1660. The Clerk of the Commonwealth was similar to another important role called the Clerk of the Crown.
Quick facts for kids Clerk of the Commonwealth in Chancery |
|
|---|---|
.svg)
Coat of Arms of the Protectorate (1653–1659)
|
|
| Appointer | Lord Protector |
| Formation | occ. 15 November 1655 |
| First holder | Nathaniel Taylor |
| Final holder | Valentine Willis |
| Abolished | May 1660 |
Contents
A Special Job During a Special Time
After England stopped having a king or queen, a new government was formed. This new government was called the Commonwealth of England. Because there was no king, the old job of Clerk of the Crown was ended. The last person known to hold that job was John Bolles. He was no longer in the role after April 1654.
Before this, a man named Valentine Willis was supposed to get the Clerk of the Crown job after his father, Thomas Willis. Valentine had a claim to the job. However, the new government, called Parliament, had already appointed John Bolles in 1643.
Who Held the Job?
On November 15, 1655, Nathaniel Taylor was given the job of Clerk of the Commonwealth. He was appointed by the new government. This appointment ignored Valentine Willis's earlier claim to the job. Valentine was supposed to get the job after his father died in 1656.
This led to a long legal disagreement between Nathaniel Taylor and Valentine Willis. Taylor officially started his new job the very next day. Records show that Taylor was actively working when Thomas Willis died. Taylor even attended the funeral of Oliver Cromwell in 1658. Cromwell was a very important leader during this time.
Valentine Willis kept trying to get the job. He went to the Committee of Safety on June 13, 1659. Both Taylor and Willis also met with the Council of State on June 15 of the same year.
The Job Changes Back
Finally, Valentine Willis was officially given the job of Clerk of the Commonwealth on February 10, 1660. Nathaniel Taylor had left the job by 1660. He received his last payment on September 29, 1659.
Soon after, the king returned to England. This event is known as the restoration of the monarchy. In April 1660, Valentine Willis was recognized as the Clerk of the Crown. This meant the job went back to its original name. The title "Clerk of the Commonwealth" was no longer used after this time.
People Who Held the Job
| # | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Office | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Nathaniel Taylor (n/a) |
15 November 1655 |
1659–1660 | Clerk of the Commonwealth in Chancery | |
| 2 | |
Valentine Willis (n/a) |
10 February 1660 |
April 1660 |
Clerk of the Commonwealth in Chancery | |
Images for kids
-
A placeholder image for when a portrait is not available.
