March 1648: An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, for committing the Great Seal of England into the Hands and Custody of Commissioners.

March, 1647/8

[17 March, 1647/8.]

Ordinance appointing Commissioners of the Great Seal

The Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled do order and ordain, and be it Ordained, That the Great Seal of England shall be committed to the Custody and Keeping of Henry Earl of Kent, William Lord Grey of Werke, Sir Thomas Widdrington Knight, and Bulstrod Whitlocke Esquire, who are hereby ordained Commissioners for that Purpose, for and during the Time of One whole Year from the Passing of this present Ordinance; which said Persons are hereby constituted and appointed to be Commissioners for the Custody of the said Great Seal of England during the Time aforesaid; and they, or any Two of them, whereof One Member of the Lords House, also One Member of the House of Commons shall have, and are hereby authorized to have, the Custody, Keeping, Ordering, and Disposing thereof; as also all such and the like Powers and Authorities as any Lord Chancellor, or Lord Keeper, or Commissioners of the Great Seal of England, for the Time being, hath lawfully had and used, or ought to have had or used.