The *chancellor began to hear pleas for legal redress which other courts could not deal with during the 14c, such as those against king's officers or the king himself. Its procedures were relatively informal and the chancellor was able to make speedy decisions. Those using this court were particularly the poor and those weak and without friends in government. This form of justice was known as 'equity'.
Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases. Christopher Coredon with Ann Williams.