A similar prejudice toward ecclesiastical wealth and power colored the tenure of Thomas Wolsey in this office, the chief symbol of which, the Great Seal of the Realm, he surrendered in 1529, after presiding over the expansion of the Court of Star Chamber in performance of this office.
The last holder of this office to have any power as a result was Charles Falconer, who left office in 2007. This office was held by such men as William of Wykeham, who clashed with John of Gaunt during his tenure in this office at the end of Edward III's reign and beginning of Richard II's. Thomas Becket held this office, but he largely neglected it to focus on consolidating power and revenue under his other position of authority, Archbishop of Canterbury. A similar prejudice toward ecclesiastical wealth and power colored the tenure of Thomas Wolsey in this office, the chief symbol of which, the Great Seal of the Realm, he surrendered in 1529, after presiding over the expansion of the Court of Star Chamber in performance of this office. For ten points, name this great office of state, held after Wolsey by Saint Thomas More, who used it to burn both Protestant books and the heretics who wrote them.
The last holder of this office to have any power as a result was Charles Falconer, who left office in 2007.
{Lord Chancellor}