Chamberiain - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition chamberiain

Definition :

Chamberiain [fr. Chambellan, Fr., custos cubiculi, cubicularius, Lat.], a person who has the management or direction of a chamber or chambers. It is variously used in our laws, statutes, and chronicles. Among the most important are (1) The Lord Great Chamberlain, an hereditary officer of the Crown, whose chief duties are performed at a Coronation, and who can appoint a deputy subject to the approval of the king (see CENSOR). (2) The Lord Chamberlain of the Household, an officer appointed by the sovereign, on the nomination of the Prime Minister; he has the oversight of all officers belonging to the king's household, and by the (English) Civil List Act, 1781 (22 Geo. 3, c. 82), s. 13, the care of the royal furniture, pictures and plate. He has also by the Theatres Act, 1843 (see THEATRE), the control of the London Theatres.

The places in the House of Lords of 'the great Chamberleyn' and 'the King's Chamberleye' respectively are fixed by 31 Hen. 8, c. 10. (3) The Chamberlain of London keeps the city money, presides over the affairs of the citizens and their apprentices, etc.