Note: The chancellor was originally a chief scribe or
secretary under the Roman emperors, but afterward was
invested with judicial powers, and had superintendence
over the other officers of the empire. From the Roman
empire this office passed to the church, and every
bishop has his chancellor, the principal judge of his
consistory. In later times, in most countries of
Europe, the chancellor was a high officer of state,
keeper of the great seal of the kingdom, and having the
supervision of all charters, and like public
instruments of the crown, which were authenticated in
the most solemn manner. In France a secretary is in
some cases called a chancellor. In Scotland, the
appellation is given to the foreman of a jury, or
assize. In the present German empire, the chancellor is
the president of the federal council and the head of
the imperial administration. In the United States, the
title is given to certain judges of courts of chancery
or equity, established by the statutes of separate
States. --Blackstone. Wharton.
{Chancellor} {of a bishop, or of a diocese} (R. C. Ch. & ch.
of Eng.), a law officer appointed to hold the bishop's
court in his diocese, and to assist him in matter of
ecclesiastical law.
{Chancellor of a cathedral}, one of the four chief
dignitaries of the cathedrals of the old foundation, and
an officer whose duties are chiefly educational, with
special reference to the cultivation of theology.
{Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster}, an officer before
whom, or his deputy, the court of the duchy chamber of
Lancaster is held. This is a special jurisdiction.
{Chancellor of a university}, the chief officer of a
collegiate body. In Oxford, he is elected for life; in
Cambridge, for a term of years; and his office is
honorary, the chief duties of it devolving on the vice
chancellor.
{Chancellor of the exchequer}, a member of the British
cabinet upon whom devolves the charge of the public income
and expenditure as the highest finance minister of the
government.
{Chancellor of the order of the Garter} (or other military
orders), an officer who seals the commissions and mandates
of the chapter and assembly of the knights, keeps the
register of their proceedings, and delivers their acts
under the seal of their order.
{Lord high chancellor of England}, the presiding judge in the
court of chancery, the highest judicial officer of the
crown, and the first lay person of the state after the
blood royal. He is created chancellor by the delivery into
his custody of the great seal, of which he becomes keeper.
He is privy counselor by his office, and prolocutor of the
House of Lords by prescription.