Originally minor officials, assistants to the heralds. Later the name was given to officers of the king whose duty was to serve warrants. In the penal times in England, they were often hunters and trackers-down of priests. They figured largely in the capture of many of the priests who later died on the scaffold.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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