CLERK of the crown, in chancery, an officer whose business it is constantly to attend the lord-chancellor, in person or by deputy, to write and prepare for the great seal special matters of state by commission, both ordinary and extraordinary, viz. commissions of lieutenantcy, of justices of assize, oyer and terminer, goal-delivery, and of the peace; all general pardons, granted either at the king's coronation, or in parliament: the writs of parliament, with the names of the knights, citizens, and burghesses, are also returned into his office. He also makes out special pardons, and writs of execution on bonds of statute-staple forfeited.