an ecclesiastic who officiates in a chapel. See CHAPEL.

The king of Great Britain hath 28 chaplains in ordinary, usually eminent doctors in divinity, who wait four each month, preach in the chapel, read the service to the family, and to the king in his private oratory, and say grace in the absence of the clerk of the closet. Besides, there are 24 chaplains at Whitehall, fellows of Oxford or Cambridge, who preach in their turns, and are allowed £30 per annum each. According to a statute of Henry VIII., the persons vested with a power of retaining chaplains, together with the number each is allowed to qualify, is as follows: An archbishop, eight; a duke or bishop, six; marquis or earl, five; viscount, four; baron, knight of the garter, or lord chancellor, three; a duchess, marchioness, countess, baroness, the treasurer and comptroller of the king's house, clerk of the closet, the king's secretary, dean of the chapel, almoner, and master of the rolls, each of them two; chief justice of the king's bench, and warden of the cinque-ports, each one. All these chaplains may purchase a licence or dispensation, and take two benefices with cure of souls. A chaplain must be retained by letters testimonial under hand and seal; for it is not sufficient that he serve as chaplain in the family.

CHAPLAIN of the Order of Malta, otherwise called diacon, and clerk essential the second class of the order of Malta. The knights make the first rank.

CHAPELET, an ancient ornament for the head, like a garland or wreath; but this word is frequently used to signify the circle of a crown. There are instances of its being borne in a coat of arms, as well as for crests; the paternal arms for Laffelies are argent, three chaplets, gules. CHA