The Admiralty Office and Admiralty Marine Office had already supported the Lord High Admiral before 1628. By that year, the office had become too permanent and administratively demanding for one individual. Putting it into commission allowed multiple lords to exercise the Lord High Admiral's authority together. The reform created the recognizable institutional basis of the Admiralty Board while preserving the older office's legal authority.
Chapter · 14:14-15:40
Why the Lord High Admiral was put into commission
The 1628 reform converted the Lord High Admiral's personal authority into a permanent commission exercised by several lords.