STEWART, an officer appointed in another's stead or place, and always taken for a principal officer within his jurisdiction. Of these there are various kinds. The greatest officer under the crown is the lord high steward of England, whose office was anciently the inheritance of the earls of Leicester, till forfeited by Simon de Montfort to King Henry III. But the power of this officer is so very great, that it has not been judged safe to trust it any longer in the hands of a subject, excepting only for a particular occasion, as to officiate at a coronation, or at the arraignment of a nobleman for high treason or felony. During his office the steward bears a white staff in his hand, and when the trial is ended he breaks the staff, and with it his commission expires. There is likewise a lord-steward of the king's household, who is the chief officer of the king's court, has the care of the king's house, and authority over all the officers and servants of the household except such as belong to the chapel, chamber, and stable. The court of the lord high steward of Great Britain is a court instituted for the trial of peers indicted for treason or felony, or for misprision of either.