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The principal royal seal is the great seal, introduced in the 11th century, and used to authenticate official documents. The amount and nature of the business passing through the royal chancery made it increasingly impractical for the writing office to continue within the king's household and the Chancellor, rather than the king himself, held the great seal in his care. The privy seal, taking over as the king's own personal or private seal, evolved within the King's household and eventually this office also moved out with the king's immediate control (to that of the Lord Privy Seal), changing from a mark of personal authentication to an official seal used in minor official matters.