Jason Loch
@jasonloch.bsky.social
I am a historian of the British constitution whose work focuses on the Crown, the House of Lords, and the Church of England.
You can read my blog here: venerablepuzzle.wordpress.com.
You can read my blog here: venerablepuzzle.wordpress.com.
I agree. On a side note, while not reflective of his legal acumen, I stumbled upon this anecdote about Tristram that legitimately made me chuckle.
October 9, 2025 at 10:25 PM
I agree. On a side note, while not reflective of his legal acumen, I stumbled upon this anecdote about Tristram that legitimately made me chuckle.
The Lord Chancellor makes a number of ecclesiastical appointments including presentations to Crown benefices valued at less than £20 in The King's Book. Here's what an instrument of appointment to one of these benefices looks like. 1/3
October 9, 2025 at 6:50 PM
The Lord Chancellor makes a number of ecclesiastical appointments including presentations to Crown benefices valued at less than £20 in The King's Book. Here's what an instrument of appointment to one of these benefices looks like. 1/3
Becoming Archbishop of Canterbury used to be an expensive proposition. Edward White Benson had to pay a total of £885/5/6. According to The National Archives' currency converter, that is the equivalent of approximately £58,591.66! 1/2
October 9, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Becoming Archbishop of Canterbury used to be an expensive proposition. Edward White Benson had to pay a total of £885/5/6. According to The National Archives' currency converter, that is the equivalent of approximately £58,591.66! 1/2
Mullally's public ministry as Archbishop will begin after her enthronement in Canterbury Cathedral. And although she was a member of the House of Lords as Bishop of London, she'll be reintroduced after her translation to Canterbury. 17/17
October 7, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Mullally's public ministry as Archbishop will begin after her enthronement in Canterbury Cathedral. And although she was a member of the House of Lords as Bishop of London, she'll be reintroduced after her translation to Canterbury. 17/17
After the homage, the King will issue sign a Warrant for the restitution of the archbishopric's temporalities. This involves several different instruments, including a mandate to the tenants of the archbishopric and writs to the relevant escheators. 16/17
October 7, 2025 at 7:46 PM
After the homage, the King will issue sign a Warrant for the restitution of the archbishopric's temporalities. This involves several different instruments, including a mandate to the tenants of the archbishopric and writs to the relevant escheators. 16/17
The confirmation ceremony is both a legal proceeding and a church service. The legal portion has several components, but the main purpose is establishing the legal validity of the election and the consent of the Archbishop-Elect to her election. 13/17
October 7, 2025 at 7:46 PM
The confirmation ceremony is both a legal proceeding and a church service. The legal portion has several components, but the main purpose is establishing the legal validity of the election and the consent of the Archbishop-Elect to her election. 13/17
Here's an example of such a Mandate. Note that it was issued in the name of the Archbishop of Canterbury, but for the confirmation of an archbishop's election, it will probably be issued in the Commissioners' names. 10/17
October 7, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Here's an example of such a Mandate. Note that it was issued in the name of the Archbishop of Canterbury, but for the confirmation of an archbishop's election, it will probably be issued in the Commissioners' names. 10/17
The King will then issue Letters Patent giving Royal Assent to Mullally's election and directing a commission led by the Archbishop of York to confirm the election. Here's the Warrant for the Letters Patent assenting to Rowan Williams' election. 8/17
October 7, 2025 at 7:46 PM
The King will then issue Letters Patent giving Royal Assent to Mullally's election and directing a commission led by the Archbishop of York to confirm the election. Here's the Warrant for the Letters Patent assenting to Rowan Williams' election. 8/17
After the election is complete, the College of Canons will certify Mullally's election to the King. Here's an example of a certification from the See of Hereford. 7/17
October 7, 2025 at 7:46 PM
After the election is complete, the College of Canons will certify Mullally's election to the King. Here's an example of a certification from the See of Hereford. 7/17
Canterbury Cathedral may have had a custom of nominating a member of the Chapter to be a pro forma opponent to the Crown's nominee. I've only seen this custom mentioned once, and I don't know if it endures to the present day. 6/17
October 7, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Canterbury Cathedral may have had a custom of nominating a member of the Chapter to be a pro forma opponent to the Crown's nominee. I've only seen this custom mentioned once, and I don't know if it endures to the present day. 6/17
The license will be accompanied by Letters Missive signed by the King and countersigned by the Justice Secretary which formally recommend Sarah Mullally. Here's an example from York. 4/17
October 7, 2025 at 7:46 PM
The license will be accompanied by Letters Missive signed by the King and countersigned by the Justice Secretary which formally recommend Sarah Mullally. Here's an example from York. 4/17
As late as 1848, the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury were still nominally entrusting several of their brethren with the duty of imploring Queen Victoria's "grace and favour in this behalf." The supplication appears to be omitted nowadays despite the wording of the license. 3/17
October 7, 2025 at 7:46 PM
As late as 1848, the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury were still nominally entrusting several of their brethren with the duty of imploring Queen Victoria's "grace and favour in this behalf." The supplication appears to be omitted nowadays despite the wording of the license. 3/17
Formerly, the Dean and Chapter used to formally request the royal license to elect. This could involve traveling to the royal court to make the request in person (as happened in 1228). 2/17
October 7, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Formerly, the Dean and Chapter used to formally request the royal license to elect. This could involve traveling to the royal court to make the request in person (as happened in 1228). 2/17
After the King approves the Prime Minister's submission recommending Sarah Mullally, the Crown Office will prepare a Warrant to pass a congé d'élire under the Great Seal authorizing the College of Canons to elect a new Archbishop. 1/17
October 7, 2025 at 7:46 PM
After the King approves the Prime Minister's submission recommending Sarah Mullally, the Crown Office will prepare a Warrant to pass a congé d'élire under the Great Seal authorizing the College of Canons to elect a new Archbishop. 1/17
Before the computer age, Docquet Book entries were made with pen and paper. Here's an example from 1966, courtesy of CrownOfficeFOIDs. 6/6
September 12, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Before the computer age, Docquet Book entries were made with pen and paper. Here's an example from 1966, courtesy of CrownOfficeFOIDs. 6/6
It's a bit odd that Proclamations are classified as "By The King Himself Signed with His Own Hand". While he does indeed sign Proclamations, there will also be an Order in Council directing the Lord Chancellor to affix the Great Seal (here's a typical example). 5/6
September 12, 2025 at 9:13 PM
It's a bit odd that Proclamations are classified as "By The King Himself Signed with His Own Hand". While he does indeed sign Proclamations, there will also be an Order in Council directing the Lord Chancellor to affix the Great Seal (here's a typical example). 5/6
The Docquet Book is a record of instruments prepared by the Crown Office, including Letters Patent, Warrants of Appointment, Proclamations, and Writs of Summons. Here are some recent entries I received via a FOI request (it's oddly formatted because that's how I received it). 1/6
September 12, 2025 at 9:13 PM
The Docquet Book is a record of instruments prepared by the Crown Office, including Letters Patent, Warrants of Appointment, Proclamations, and Writs of Summons. Here are some recent entries I received via a FOI request (it's oddly formatted because that's how I received it). 1/6
The office copy of the submission for Lord Wright's appointment as Master of the Rolls notes that it was submitted to King George V unsigned "after an explanation by Sir Claud [Schuster] over the telephone, the Lord Chancellor not being available" [LCO 6/918].
September 11, 2025 at 9:23 PM
The office copy of the submission for Lord Wright's appointment as Master of the Rolls notes that it was submitted to King George V unsigned "after an explanation by Sir Claud [Schuster] over the telephone, the Lord Chancellor not being available" [LCO 6/918].
Summons to a meeting of the Privy Council for the purpose of swearing-in new Ministers. [PREM 49/2130].
September 10, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Summons to a meeting of the Privy Council for the purpose of swearing-in new Ministers. [PREM 49/2130].
Correspondence with the Palace regarding Augustus Andrewes Uthwatt's appointment as a High Court Justice, including the informal advice, the reply from the King's Private Secretary, and the formal submission [LCO 6/1582].
July 9, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Correspondence with the Palace regarding Augustus Andrewes Uthwatt's appointment as a High Court Justice, including the informal advice, the reply from the King's Private Secretary, and the formal submission [LCO 6/1582].
The precedence clause in a baronet's patent of creation used to contain an almost comical number of provisos and caveats. That language was simplified in the later 19th century, and the current form of the patent trimmed it even further. 1/2
June 26, 2025 at 6:29 PM
The precedence clause in a baronet's patent of creation used to contain an almost comical number of provisos and caveats. That language was simplified in the later 19th century, and the current form of the patent trimmed it even further. 1/2
However, in 1859, the name of the office was apparently changed to "Chaplain at the Palace of St. James's," perhaps at the behest of Archibald Campbell Tait. This comes from Notes and Queries, 12th series, vol. 7. 2/2
June 18, 2025 at 5:13 PM
However, in 1859, the name of the office was apparently changed to "Chaplain at the Palace of St. James's," perhaps at the behest of Archibald Campbell Tait. This comes from Notes and Queries, 12th series, vol. 7. 2/2
These were the Confessor's duties in the 18th century. This is taken from William Lovegrove's manuscript about the Chapel Royal which is published in vol. 2 of The Cheque Books of the Chapel Royal edited by Andrew Ashbee and John Harley. 1/2
June 18, 2025 at 5:13 PM
These were the Confessor's duties in the 18th century. This is taken from William Lovegrove's manuscript about the Chapel Royal which is published in vol. 2 of The Cheque Books of the Chapel Royal edited by Andrew Ashbee and John Harley. 1/2
Transcript of a Sign-Manual Warrant from 1761 ordering the Sub-Dean of the Chapels Royal to admit David Walter Morgan to the office of Confessor of His Majesty's Household and Priest-in-Ordinary of the Chapels Royal [SP 44/157 f.49]. 1/3
June 17, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Transcript of a Sign-Manual Warrant from 1761 ordering the Sub-Dean of the Chapels Royal to admit David Walter Morgan to the office of Confessor of His Majesty's Household and Priest-in-Ordinary of the Chapels Royal [SP 44/157 f.49]. 1/3
Sign-Manual Warrant for the appointment of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Because the resulting patent would pass the seals of the Duchy and County Palatine, the Warrant is addressed to the Duchy's Attorney General and Clerk instead of the English Law Officers [SP 44/375 f.53].
June 13, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Sign-Manual Warrant for the appointment of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Because the resulting patent would pass the seals of the Duchy and County Palatine, the Warrant is addressed to the Duchy's Attorney General and Clerk instead of the English Law Officers [SP 44/375 f.53].