MASTER of the Rolls, a patent-officer for life; who has the custody of the rolls and patents which pass the great seal, and of the records of the chancery.
In the absence of the lord chancellor or keeper, he also sits as judge in the court of chancery; and is by Sir Edward Coke called his assistant.
At other times he hears causes in the rolls-chapel, and makes orders and decrees. He is also the first of the masters of chancery, and has their assistance at the rolls: but all hearings before him are appealable to the lord chancellor.
He has also his writ of summons to parliament, and sits next to the lord chief justice of England on the second woolpack. He has the keeping of the parliament-rolls, and has the rolls-house for his habitation; as also the custody of all charters, patents, commissions, deeds, and recognizances, which being made of rolls of parchment gave rise to the name. Anciently he was called clerk of the rolls.
Concerning the authority of the master of the rolls to hear and determine causes, and his general power in the court of chancery, there were (not many years since) divers questions and disputes very warmly agitated; to quiet which it was declared by stat. 3. Geo. II. cap. 30. that all orders and decrees by him made, except such as by the course of the court were appropriated to the great seal alone, should be deemed to be valid; subject nevertheless to be discharged or altered by the lord chancellor, and so as they shall
not be enrolled till the same are signed by his lordship.
In his gift are the six clerks in chancery, the examiners, three clerks of the petty-bag, and the six clerks of the rolls-chapel where the rolls are kept. See ROLLS, CLERK, &c.
The master of the rolls is always of the privy-council; and his office is of great profit, though much short of what it has been.