The Master of the Rolls celebrated the long history of his position at a rare viewing of historical documents at The National Archives.
Sir Geoffrey Vos, who is also Head of Civil Justice in England and Wales, joined a host of other judges for a unique opportunity to examine historical manuscripts and archival material.
A title dating back to at least the early 13th century, The Master of the Rolls is the second most senior judge in England and Wales.
Originally responsible for the safe keeping of charters, patents and records of important court judgments written on parchment rolls, hence the title, The Master of the Rolls still has responsibility for documents of national importance.
Last week, The National Archives curated a one-off, first-of-its-kind display at its home in Kew, London, that illustrated the long constitutional history of the Master of the Rolls.
Featuring royal warrants, medieval deeds, acts of Parliament and personal artefacts, the collection explored how the role evolved alongside the development of government, justice and record-keeping in England and Wales over centuries.
One of the most historic documents on display was the 1838 Public Records Act which placed the nation’s public records under the keepership of the Master of the Rolls.
A two-volume medieval treatise on view featured possibly the earliest reference to the office that would become the Master of the Rolls.
Documents dating back two or three centuries, many bearing holes, were shown as evidence of previous Masters of the Rolls using spikes to sort the vast number of records coming through their offices.
Over the course of history, Masters of the Roll have been clerics, lawyers and parliamentarians. On display was a copy of the death mask of Sir John Yonge, The Master of the Rolls who signed Henry II’s will in the absence of the Lord Chancellor of the time.
A 1551 Chancery decree over land in Staffordshire also on display described prior mediation by the Master of the Rolls to settle a suit – indicating an early judicial function. Sir Geoffrey Vos said:
“I am truly grateful for the support and assistance provided by the staff at The National Archives.
“When I took up this role in January 2021, I swore to ‘serve Her Majesty as Keeper and Master of the Rolls and Records of England’. It has led to a deep personal interest in how the office of Master of the Rolls began and developed over more than 800 years.
“I feel honoured to have been part of its history.”
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