CLERK (clericus), a word formerly used to signify a learned man, or man of letters. The word comes from the Greek κλῆρος, used for clergy; but more properly signifying lot or heritage, in regard the lot and portion of clerks or ecclesiastics is to serve God. Accordingly clerus was at first used to signify those who had a particular attachment to the service of God. The origin of the expression is derived from the Old Testament, where the tribe of Levi is called the lot, heritage, κλῆρος; and God is reciprocally called their portion; by reason that tribe was consecrated to the service of God, and lived on the offerings made to God, without any other settled provision as the rest had. Thus Pasquier observes, the officers of the counts (comites) were anciently created under the title of clerks of accoupts; and secretaries of state were called clerks of the secret. So clericus domini regis, in the time of Edward I. was Englished, the king's secretary, or clerk of his council. The term was applied indifferently to all who made any profession of learning; or who knew how to manage the pen; though originally it was appropriated to ecclesiastics. As the nobility and gentry were usually brought up to the exercise of arms, there were none but the clergy left to cultivate the sciences: hence, as it was the clergy alone who had made any profession of letters, a very learned man came to be called a great clerk, and a stupid ignorant man a bad clerk.
CLERK is also applied to such as by their course of life exercise their pens in any court or office; of which there are various kinds: thus,
CLERK of the Bails, an officer in the court of king's bench, whose business is to file all bail-pieces taken in that court, where he always attends.
CLERK of the Check, an officer belonging to the king's court; so called, because he has the check and controulment of the yeomen that belong to the king, queen, or prince. He likewise, by himself or deputy, sets the watch in the court. There is also an officer in the navy of the same name, belonging to the king's yards.
CLERK of the Crown, an officer in the king's bench, who frames, reads, and records all indictments against offenders, there arraigned or indicted of any public crime. He is likewise termed clerk of the crown-office, in which capacity he exhibits information by order of the court for divers offences.
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 lutenancy, of justices of assize, oyer and terminer, gaol-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 burgesses, are also returned into his office. He also makes out special pardons and writs of execution on bonds of statute-staple forfeited.
CLERK of the Deliveries of the Ordnance. See ORD-NANCE.