Custos

I.

In English law

A keeper, protector or guardian. Cttstos brevium: keeper of the writs; a principal clerk belonging to the courts of King's Bench and Common Pleas, whose office was to receive and keep all the writs returned into the court, and also all records of nisiprius. Custos ferarum: agame-keeper. Custos horreiregii: protector of the royal granary. Custos rotulorum: keeper of the rolls; an officer who has the custody of the rolls or records of the sessions of the peace, and also of the commission of the peace itself.

In old English law

A keeper, protector or guardian; a magistrate; the warden of a city. Custos maris: warden of the sea; the title of a high naval officer among the Saxons, and after the conquest correspionding with admiral. Custos placitornm coronte: keeper of the pleas of the crown. Custos terriE: guardian, warden or keeper of the land. ■ ' ' ■.' In English ecclesiastical law. Custos spiritual! um: keeper of the spiritualities; one who exercises the spiritual jurisdiction of a diocese during the vacancy of the see. Custos temporalium: keeper of the temporalities; one to whose custody a vacant see or abbey was committed by the king as supreme lord.