MASTERS in chancery, in ordinary, of which there are twelve, the master of the rolls being chief, are usually chosen out of the barristers of the common law, and sit in chancery, or at the rolls, as assistants to the lord chancellor and master of the rolls.
MASTER of the horses, a great officer of the crown, who orders all matters relating to the king's stables, races, breed of horses; and commands the equestrians and all the other officers and tradesmen employed in the king's stables. His coaches, horses, and attendants are the king's, and bear the king's arms and livery.
MASTER of the revels, an officer who orders all things relating to the performance of plays, masks, balls, &c. at court.
MASTER of the rolls, a patent officer for life, who has the custody of the rolls of parliament and patents which pass the great-seal, and of the records of chancery, as also commissions, deeds, recognizances, which, being made of rolls of parchment, gave rise to the name.
In absence of the chancellor, he sits as judge in the court of chancery: at other times, he hears causes in the rolls chapel, and makes orders; but all hearings before him are appealable to the chancellor.
MASTER of the wardrobe, an officer under the lord chamberlain, who has the care of the royal robes, as well as the wearing apparel, collar, george, and garter, &c. He has also the charge of all former kings and queens robes remaining in the Tower, all hangings, bedding, &c. for the king's house, the charge and delivery of velvet and scarlet allowed for liveries. He has under him a clerk of the robes, wardrobe-keeper, a yeoman, &c.