The Secretary of State Hard cover - 1978

Lavenham Suffolk, UK: Dalton. Very Good/Very Good. 1978. First Edition. Hard Cover. 8vo 0900963808 Dust jacket complete, unclipped.. White cloth with bright gilt titling on spine. No ownership inscription. Within the framework of the English Constitution the evolution of the great Offices of State has played a vital part in the history of this country. David Kynaston in this book, The Secretary of State, traces the advance of that particular office from the reign of Richard II, when the keeper of the signet became known as the king's secretary, until 1782, when the growth of parliamentary government demanded its division into two --Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary. During the centuries between, whilst there had been some periods of little activity, there were others when such outstanding statesmen as Thomas Cromwell, William Cecil and William Pitt had increased their own influence, and the importance of the office had taken long strides forward. The author with great skill has unravelled the complexity of the developing authority of the Secretary of State and in this most readable and compact account provides a book of great value to all those with an interest in the ancient institutions of this nation.. 177 pages clean and tight. Within the framework of the English Constitution the evolution of the great Offices of State has played a vital part in the history of this country. David Kynaston in this book, The Secretary of State, traces the advance of that particular office from the reign of Richard II, when the keeper of the signet became known as the king's secretary, until 1782, when the growth of parliamentary government demanded its division into two --Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary. During the centuries between, whilst there had been some periods of little activity, there were others when such outstanding statesmen as Thomas Cromwell, William Cecil and William Pitt had increased their own influence, and the importance of the office had taken long strides forward. The author with great skill has unravelled the complexity of the developing authority of the Secretary of State and in this most readable and compact account provides a book of great value to all those with an interest in the ancient institutions of this nation. .