Consul

Lat. [from consu Ure, to consult.] In old English law. An ancient title of an earl. Comites — qui etiam did possuni consules, a consulendo, reges enim tales sibi assodant ad consulendum. Earls — who may also be called consuls, from consuletido, for kings associate such persons with them for the purposes of consultation. Bract, fol.

5 b. 1 Bl. Com. 227.

The word consul was used by the authors of the middle ages for comes, (count, or earl,) and the derivative word consulatus for comitatus; (the office or district of a comes; a county.) Spelman. It is mentioned in the laws of Edward the Confessor, (c. 12,) that what was then called comitatus was among the Britons in the time of the Romans called consulatus, and that those who were then called vice comites, were at the same early period called vice consules; their office being to supply the place of the consul in his absence. Mr. Hargrave is disposed to doubt this, ffarg. Co. Litt. lib.

3, Note 20.

The use of the term, however, as applied to the highest nobility in England, seems beyond question. Bracton mentions it as an appropriate (if not an ordinary) title in his day, and dwells upon its meaning as peculiarly expressive. Bract, uh. sup.