Privy Council of England facts for kids

The Privy Council of England was a special group of advisors to the King or Queen of England. Its full name was often "His" (or "Her") "Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council." The word "privy" meant "personal" or "private," showing that the council was very close to the monarch.

Members of the Privy Council were usually important people. They included senior members of the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Leading churchmen, judges, diplomats, and military leaders were also part of this group.

The Privy Council of England was a powerful body. It advised the monarch on important decisions and helped grant royal charters. It also issued executive orders, called Orders in Council, and even had some duties related to justice.

What Does "Privy" Mean?

The word "privy" in "Privy Council" might sound a bit old-fashioned today. It used to mean "belonging only to a particular person." So, the council was seen as the monarch's very own, private group of advisors.

For example, during the time of Queen Elizabeth I, the council was known as "The Queens Majesties Most Honourable Privy-Council."

History of the Council

The Privy Council changed a lot over many centuries. It started as a small group and grew into a very important part of the English government.

Early Beginnings: The Medieval Council

Long ago, during the time of the House of Normandy kings, the English monarch had a group of advisors called the curia regis. This Latin phrase means "royal court." It was made up of important nobles, church leaders, and royal officials.

This early group helped the king with laws, managing the country, and even justice. Sometimes, a larger group of nobles would meet, called the "great council." But the smaller curia regis was always working closely with the king.

Over time, the royal court became too busy. So, its justice duties were given to special courts. By 1237, the curia regis officially split into two main parts: the king's council and Parliament. The king's council was a permanent group that advised the king daily. It included his ministers and closest helpers. This council helped create new laws and rules.

During the reign of King Henry III (1216–1272), nobles often complained they didn't have enough say. At the Oxford Parliament of 1258, reformers tried to make the king accept a council of fifteen nobles. But these changes didn't last.

The council of King Edward I (1272–1307) played a big role. It helped write and suggest laws for Parliament to approve.

Later Developments and Changes

Some powerful monarchs used the council to make decisions without Parliament or the regular courts. For instance, a part of the council, which later became the Court of the Star Chamber, could punish people without following normal court rules. During King Henry VIII's time, the king could even make laws just by announcing them, with the council's advice.

However, Parliament's power to make laws was restored after Henry VIII died. The royal council then focused more on managing the government. By 1553, the council had forty members. But the monarch usually relied on a smaller group, which eventually became the modern Cabinet.

The council became much more experienced during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. It grew in political skill between the 1560s and the 1600s.

After the English Civil War, the monarchy, the House of Lords, and the Privy Council were all abolished. The House of Commons created a Council of State to run the country. This council had forty-one members chosen by the Commons. Oliver Cromwell, a military leader, was in charge. Later, Cromwell became Lord Protector, and the council became smaller.

In 1659, just before the monarchy was brought back, Cromwell's council was abolished. King Charles II restored the royal Privy Council. But like earlier kings, he preferred to rely on a smaller group of advisors.

In 1707, the Acts of Union 1707 joined England and Scotland to form the Kingdom of Great Britain. This meant the Privy Councils of both countries were replaced by one single body: the Privy Council of the United Kingdom.

Who Were the Members?

When the monarch acted on the council's advice, they were known as the "King-in-Council" or "Queen-in-Council." The members of the council were called "The Lords of His [or Her] Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council."

The main leader of the council was the Lord President of the Council. This was a very important government position. Another key official was the clerk, who signed all the council's orders.

Membership in the council was usually for life. However, when a monarch died, all their appointments, including council members, automatically ended. A new council would then be formed for the new monarch.

Other Important Councils

The Privy Council of England was one of four main councils that advised the monarch. The other three were the courts of law, the Commune Concilium (which was Parliament), and the Magnum Concilium (a large assembly of all the nobles).

The Magnum Concilium was not called after 1640 and was already considered old-fashioned by then.

The Privy Council of Scotland existed alongside the English one for over a hundred years after the two crowns were united. In 1708, a year after England and Scotland officially joined, the Scottish Privy Council was abolished. From then on, there was only one Privy Council of Great Britain based in London.

Even after the Act of Union 1800 joined Great Britain and Ireland, the Kingdom of Ireland kept its own Privy Council of Ireland. This council finally ended in 1922 when Southern Ireland became separate from the United Kingdom. It was then replaced by the Privy Council of Northern Ireland.

See also

• List of Privy Counsellors (1679–1714)
• List of Royal members of the Privy Council
• Historical lists of Privy Counsellors
• Privy Council of Ireland