Gatchell, Edward, fl 1711

The Privy Council is, historically, the British sovereign's private council. It lost most of its judicial and political functions in the middle of the 17th century, when the sovereign ceased to have responsibility for political decisions. It retained, however, the power to hear appeals to the sovereign, which were dealt with by a General Committee of the Privy Council.

From the guide to the Gatchell, Edward, 1711, (Senate House Library, University of London)