Legal Definitions - Clerk of the Pells

Clerk of the Pells

The Clerk of the Pells was a significant historical official within the English Exchequer, which functioned as the government's treasury and financial department. This officer's main duty was to meticulously record all financial transactions of the Crown onto large parchment rolls, known as "pells." These records were vital for maintaining financial accountability and transparency, with distinct rolls kept for money received (receipts) and money paid out (disbursements). In essence, the Clerk of the Pells served as the principal financial record-keeper, ensuring a detailed and permanent account of the nation's income and expenditure.

Here are some examples illustrating the role of the Clerk of the Pells:

• Imagine a situation in the 14th century where a royal tax collector delivers a substantial sum of money, collected from merchants in London, to the Exchequer. The tellers (who handled the physical cash) would receive this payment. The Clerk of the Pells would then meticulously enter this incoming tax revenue onto the "receipts" pell, noting the exact amount, the source (e.g., "from the customs of London merchants"), and the date. This entry would serve as the official record of the Crown's increased funds.

• Consider the Crown needing to fund a new castle construction project in the 15th century. Payments would be authorized for masons, laborers, and materials. As these funds were disbursed from the Exchequer, the Clerk of the Pells would carefully record each outgoing payment onto the "disbursements" pell. For instance, an entry might detail "£500 paid to Master Thomas, royal architect, for materials for Dover Castle," along with the date. This ensured a clear paper trail for all government spending.

• During an audit of royal accounts in the 16th century, if there was a discrepancy regarding whether a specific feudal lord had paid his annual dues to the Crown, or if a royal official claimed they had not received promised funds for a diplomatic mission, the meticulously kept rolls of the Clerk of the Pells would be the definitive source of truth. Officials would consult the relevant "receipts" or "disbursements" pell to verify the transaction, demonstrating the critical role these records played in resolving financial disputes and ensuring accountability.