CANCELLIER
**Cancelliere** (from the Latin *cancellarius*) is a term used in medieval diplomatics to designate the head of the chancellery. It is noteworthy that the office derived its name from the official, rather than the reverse.
Initially, the term referred to the keeper of the courtroom gates, but by the 4th century it was already associated with the duties of a scribe at the imperial court (*Cod. Theod.*, VI, 27,1). Two centuries later, it denoted a position of considerable importance, as evidenced by references in Cassiodorus (*Variae*, XI, 6,10. 14. 36. 37. 39; XII, 1. 3. 10. 12. 14. 15, ed. Th. Mommsen, in *MGH, Aust. antiquiss.*, XII). Within the Roman Curia as well, the *cancellarius Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae* (see **CANCILLERIA**) was one of the most prominent offices and was entrusted to prelates of cardinal dignity. In the performance of his duties, the chancellor was often confused with *tabelliones* and notaries until the growing prestige of his office elevated him to the highest rank within the chancellery.
In the Roman Curia, there are also several other offices bearing the title of *cancelliere*, such as the *cancelliere dei brevi apostolici* (see **SEGRETERIA DI STATO**), the *"cancelliere notaio della Sacra Congregazione dei Riti"* (see **CONGREGAZIONI PONTIFICIE**), and the *cancelliere* or *"notaio della Sacra Romana Rota"* (see **ROTA**). Furthermore, every pontifical university has a *"gran cancelliere"* (see **UNIVERSITÀ**). Finally, in every diocesan curia there is one or more *cancellieri* (see **CURIA DIOCESANA**; **TRIBUNALE**).
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