Dictionary

custos regni en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• kŭsʹtōs rĕgʹnī (Received-Pronunciation)
• kŭsʹtŏs rĕgʹnī (Received-Pronunciation)
• /ˈkʌstəʊs ˈɹɜɡnaɪ/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• /ˈkʌstɒs ˈɹɜɡnaɪ/ (Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

First attested in the plural in October 1644 and in the singular in 1683; Latin: custōs (“guard”, “protector”; “guardian”; “keeper”, “custodian”) + rēgnī (“of royal power”; genitive singular of rēgnum, “royal power”, “kingdom”) = “custodian of royal power” ≈ “guardian of the realm”.

Meanings

1. A kind of viceregal locum tenens appointed, either alone or jointly, to execute the political duties of a monarch during his or her absence from the seat of government.
   • It was reſolved…[to] Petition…His Majeſty, to appoint a Cuſtos Regni, or Locum tenens during his Abſence out of this Kingdom; and amongſt other things, in ſpecial to give him Power, to give the Royal Aſſent in Parliament, and to do ſuch things as the King might do if he were preſent. [It was] reſolved…that His Majeſty be likewiſe Petitioned, That an Act of Parliament may paſs to this Effect, That ſuch Commiſſion ſhall not be repealed, until His Majesties return from Scotland to the City of London or Weſtminſter, or be preſent in full Parliament. 1683, John Nalson, An Impartial Collection of the Great Affairs of State, II, page 412:
   • If the King be abſent, and taken captive, the People may give the Royall power to one, or to ſome few to exerciſe it as cuſtodes regni. 1644 October 7, Samuel Rutherford, Lex, Rex: The Law and the Prince, page 148:

Forms

Relateds

custos rotulorum