Acts and Ordinances of the Interregnum, 1642-1660. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1911.
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'May 1659: An Act for the Great Seal of England.', in Acts and Ordinances of the Interregnum, 1642-1660, (London, 1911) pp. 1271. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/acts-ordinances-interregnum/p1271 [accessed 23 April 2024]
May, 1659.
[14 May, 1659.]
Be it enacted, by this present Parliament, and the Authority of the same, That the Seal, on the one Side whereof is engraven the Maps of England, Ireland, and the Isles of Jersey, Guernsey, and Man, with the Arms of England and Ireland; and this Inscription; viz. "The Great Seal of England, One thousand Six hundred Fifty one," and, on the other Side, the Sculpture of the Parliament sitting, with this Inscription; viz. "In the Third Year of Freedom, by God's Blessing restored, One thousand Six hundred Fifty-One"; shall, from henceforth, be the Great Seal of England, and none other; and shall be, and is hereby authorized and establishment to be, of the like Force, Power, and Validity, to all Intents and Purposes, as any Great Seal of England hath heretofore been, or ought to be.
Ordered, That William Lenthall Speaker of the Parliament, be, and is hereby nominated, constituted, and appointed Keeper of the Great Seal of the Commonwealth of England; to have, hold, exercise, and enjoy the said Office to the said Wm. Lenthall, from this Fourteenth Day of May 1659, for the space of Eight Days from hence next ensuing, and no longer; and that in as full, ample. and beneficial Manner, to all Intents and Purposes, as any Lord Chancellor of England, Lord Keeper or Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal, may, might, should, or ought to have held, exercised, or enjoyed the same.