Great Officers of State

Government in medieval monarchies generally comprised the king's companions, later becoming the Royal Household, from which the officers of state arose, initially having household as well as government duties. Later some of these officers became two: one serving state as well as one serving household. They were superseded by new officers, or were absorbed by existing officers. many of the officers became hereditary as well as thus removed from practical operation of either the state or the household.

Especially in the Norman kingdoms these offices will defecate common characteristics. In the United Kingdom, the Great Officers of State are traditional ministers of The Crown who either inherit their positions or are appointed to exemplificationlargely ceremonial functions or to operate as members of the government. Separate Great Officers of State cost for England and for Scotland, as alive as formerly for Ireland and Sicily. numerous of the Great Officers became largely ceremonial because historically they were so influential that their powers had to be resumed by The Crown or dissipated.