piece of timber which may be properly defined the interior or counter-part of the keel, as it is laid upon the middle of the floor-timbers, immediately over the keel, and, like it, composed of several pieces scarfed together. In order to fit with more security upon the floor-timbers and crotches, it is notched about an inch and a half deep, opposite to each of those pieces, and thereby firmly scored down upon them to that depth, where it is secured by spike-nails. The pieces of which it is formed are only half the breadth and thickness of those of the keel.
The keelson serves to bind and unite the floor-timbers to the keel. It is confined to the keel by long bolts, which, being driven from without through several of the timbers, are fore-locked or clenched upon rings on the upper-side of the keelson.
Keeper of the Great Seal, is a lord by his office, and styled lord keeper of the great seal of Great Britain; he is always one of the privy-council. All grants, charters and commissions of the king under the great seal, pass through the hands of the lord-keeper: for, without that seal, many of those grants, &c. would be of no force; the king being, in the interpretation of the law, a corporation, and therefore passes nothing but by the great seal, which is also said to be the public faith of the kingdom, being in the highest esteem and reputation.
Whenever there is a lord-keeper, he is invested with the same place, authority, pre-eminence, jurisdiction, or execution of laws, as the lord-chancellor of Great-Britain is vested with.
The lord-keeper is constituted by the delivery of the great seal, &c.
Keeper of the Privy-seal, is also a lord by his office, through whose hands all grants, pardons, &c. pass before they come to the great seal; and even some things pass his hands which do not pass the great seal at all. This officer is also one of the privy-council, yet was anciently called clerk of the privy-seal. His duty is to put the seal to no grant, &c. without a proper warrant; nor with warrant where it is against law, or inconvenient, but shall first acquaint the king therewith.