Council Minutes Original: minutes of meetings of the governing body of the Royal Society Minutes of the meetings of the Royal Society Council from 1663 onwards. Council is concerned with the business and administration of the Royal Society. Minutes record discussions of all matters relating to the Society's constitution, activities, awards, funds, bequests, buildings, and staff. A business meeting for the election of Fellows, Foreign Members and Honorary Fellow takes place after the Council meeting in May. Minutes for these election meetings are held within the Council minutes. The Council minutes exist in three main forms. In addition to these original minutes there are copy minutes for the years 1663-1882 which were transcribed retrospectively in the early 18thC and then regularly until 1822 for greater security. These copies form the series 'Council Minutes Copy' (CMC,1663-1832). From 1832 the minutes were printed for distribution to Council members, and sets retained by the Society. These form the series 'Council Minutes Printed' (CMP, 1832-1997) 1663-