[f. prec. + -SHIP.] The office or position of councillor.
1583. Stocker, Civ. Warres Lowe C., I. 57 b. His Counsellership of estate.
1596. Sir J. Smyth, in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden), 95. In the whole course of your Cownsellorship and managinge of affayres under her Majestie.
a. 1626. Bacon, Adv. to Villiers, in Wks. (1803), III. 447 (J.). For the great offices and officers of the kingdom I shall say little; for the most part are such as cannot well be severed from the counsellorship.
1830. Fraser’s Mag., I. 157. Chamberlainships, Councillorships, and Extraordinary Ambassadorships.
1854. H. Miller, Sch. & Schm. (1858), 496. I even became political enough to stand for a councillorship.
