• Science • People
Non User
 • Locations • Timeline
Index: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Home > Great Seal of the Realm

 
The Great Seal of the Realm is a British institution by which the monarch can authorise official documents without having to sign each document individually. Wax is melted in a metal mold or matrix and impressed into a wax figure that is attached by cord or ribbon to documents that the monarch wishes to make official. Edward the Confessor sometime before 1066 started using a Great Seal casting in wax of his own visage to signify that a document carried the force of his will. With some exceptions, each subsequent British monarch generally has chosen his or her own design for the Great Seal. Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne to marry Mrs. Wallis Simpson of the United States, did not find time to select the design for his own seal and continued to use the seal of his predecessor, George V. On the other hand, the longer-lived British monarchs have had several Great Seals during their reigns. Only one mold of the Great Seal exists at a time, and since the wax used for the Great Seal has a high melting point, the silver plates that cast the Seal eventually wear out. Queen Victoria had to select four different Great Seal designs during the sixty-three years of her reign. [1]

Within today's constitutional monarchy, the British sovereign implements the advice of the Government. Hence, the Great Seal is attached to the official documents of state that require the authorisation of the British monarch. Under today's implementation of the Great Seal, seals of dark greenGreen is a colour seen commonly in nature. Plants are green because they contain chlorophyll. Green light has a wavelength of around 550 nm and is one of the additive primary colours, the complement of magenta. Many artists, however, continue to use a tra wax are affixed to documents authorizing the promotion of individuals to the peerageThe Peerage is a system of titles of nobility which exists in the United Kingdom and is one part of the British honours system. The term can be used to refer to the entire body of titles in a collective sense, or to a specific title. All British honours,, blueBlue (from Old High German "blao" shining) is one of the three primary additive colors; blue light has the shortest wavelength (about 470 nm) of the three primary colors. A clear sky on a sunny day is colored blue because of Rayleigh scattering of the lig seals authorize actions relating to the royal familyA royal family is the extended family of a monarch. Generally, the head of a royal family is a king or queen regnant. The term "imperial family" more appropriately describes the extended family of an emperor or empress regnant, while the terms "ducal fami, and scarletAlternate meaning: Scarlet (color Scarlet was a type of woollen cloth common in mediaeval England. The name refers to the actual cloth, not the reddish orange colour. It is probable that name of the character Will Scarlett in the Robin Hood legends referr seals appoint bishops and implement various other affairs of state.

Today the Great Seal of the Realm is administered by the Lord ChancellorThe Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain or Lord Chancellor and in former times Chancellor of England is one of the most senior and important functionaries in the government of the United Kingdom. He is a Great Officer of State, and is appointed by the S, an office currently held by Lord Falconer of Thoroton.



Read more »

Topics: Great Seal Of The Realm, Great Britain, Great Depression...

Great BritainGreat Britain (often abbreviated as Britain is an island lying off the western coast of Europe, comprising the main territory of the United Kingdom. Great Britain is also used as a political term describing the combination of England, Scotland, and Wales,Great DepressionThe Great Depression was a global economic slump that began in the United States following Black Thursday, the Wall Street panic of October 1929. On October 24, 1929, share prices on Wall Street collapsed catastrophically, setting off a chain of bankruptcGreat LakesThe Great Lakes are a group of five large lakes on or near the United States- Canadian border. They are the largest group of fresh water lakes in the world, and the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence system is the largest fresh-water system in the world. They are s
Great man theoryThe Great man theory is a theory held by some that aims to explains history by the impact of "Great men", ie: highly influential individuals, either from personal charisma, genius intellects, or great political impact. For example, a scholarly follower ofGreat Pyramid of GizaThe Great Pyramid of Giza (sometimes spelled Gizeh is the oldest and last remaining of the Seven Wonders of the World and the most famous pyramid in the world. It is presumed to have served as the tomb of the Fourth dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu (also knGreater LondonThe administrative area of Greater London combines the City of London, the City of Westminster and 31 other London boroughs, and includes most of what is commonly known simply as London, capital of the United Kingdom. It covers 1579 km2 and had a populati
Great PlagueGreat Fire of LondonGreatest common divisor
Great Lakes Colleges AssociationGreat SchismGreat Auk
Great Rift ValleyGreat Vowel ShiftGreat Internet Mersenne Prime Search
Non User