Legal Definitions - a cancellis

A cancellis is a historical Latin term that refers to a chancellor. In medieval legal and administrative systems, a chancellor was a high-ranking official, often serving a monarch, who performed judicial, administrative, and secretarial duties. The name derives from the Latin word 'cancelli,' meaning 'lattice' or 'screen,' because these officials historically conducted their business from behind a protective barrier or screen, symbolizing their authority and separation from the public.

• Example 1: Judicial Equity
  Imagine a medieval farmer who believes he has been unjustly dispossessed of his land, but the rigid common law courts offer him no recourse. He might petition the King directly for justice. The King's a cancellis would then review the farmer's plea, potentially holding a hearing to determine if a remedy based on fairness (equity) could be provided, even if strict law did not allow it.

  This example illustrates the a cancellis acting in a judicial capacity, specifically in the development of equity, where they provided remedies for injustices that the traditional common law system could not address. Their position behind a screen would have emphasized their impartial and authoritative role in dispensing justice.

• Example 2: Royal Administration and Record-Keeping
  Consider a situation where a new royal decree is to be issued, granting specific rights to a town. The a cancellis would be responsible for drafting the decree with precise legal language, ensuring it conformed to royal protocols, and then authenticating it by affixing the Great Seal of the realm. They would also oversee its proper recording in the royal archives.

  This demonstrates the a cancellis's crucial administrative role in managing and authenticating official state documents, ensuring their legal validity and preserving historical records for the crown. Their office was central to the formal operations of the kingdom.

• Example 3: Chief Legal Advisor
  Suppose a monarch faced a complex dispute with a powerful noble family regarding feudal obligations and land ownership. The monarch would turn to their a cancellis for expert legal counsel. The a cancellis would research historical precedents, interpret existing laws, and advise the sovereign on the most legally sound and politically astute course of action.

  This highlights the a cancellis's function as the primary legal advisor to the highest authority. Their position required deep legal knowledge and a trusted, often private, relationship with the monarch, reflecting the separation and importance implied by their historical working environment.