Legal Definitions - Master of the Pells

Definition: The Master of the Pells was an officer in the Exchequer who was responsible for entering tellers' bills on the parchment rolls, one for receipts and the other for disbursements. This role was also known as the Clerk of the Pells.

Example: In medieval England, the Master of the Pells was an important figure in the financial administration of the government. They were responsible for keeping track of all the money that came in and went out of the Exchequer. For example, if the king received taxes from his subjects, the Master of the Pells would record the amount in the receipts roll. If the king needed to pay for something, like a new castle or an army, the Master of the Pells would record the amount in the disbursements roll.

Explanation: The example illustrates how the Master of the Pells was responsible for keeping track of the government's finances. They recorded all the money that came in and went out, which was important for ensuring that the king had enough money to run the country. The Master of the Pells was a key figure in the Exchequer, which was the department of the government responsible for collecting and managing taxes and other revenues.