The Chancery was the office which, from the 12th century onwards, issued the official written acts in the king’s name – charters and other grants, letters patent conferring offices, titles, legitimations and remissions and brieves (brief warrants) initiating judicial or administrative processes. The charters bore the King’s great seal as evidence of royal authority. At the head of the Chancery was the Chancellor who had custody of the King’s Great Seal. Later he was also responsible for documents passed under the authorisation of the ‘quarter seal’ (actually the top half of the great seal) and the Prince’s seal. for more click on the link
