Duchies in England
Encyclopedia
The only modern duchies in England
are those of Cornwall
and Lancaster
. Unlike historic duchies, these are no longer coextensive with a distinct geographic area, though they originate in the palatine counties of Cornwall and Lancaster. Rather, they are "Crown bodies," regulated by Acts of Parliament
, that have some of the powers of a corporation
or trust. They invest primarily in land, and their income is payable either to the monarch
or the monarch's eldest son.
The Duchy of Cornwall currently owns approximately 141,000 acres (570 km²) in England
. This includes just over 2% of the county of Cornwall
. The majority of the estate lies elsewhere, with half being on Dartmoor
in Devon
. The income of the Duchy of Cornwall accrues to the Duke of Cornwall
, who is the monarch's eldest son if heir to the throne (and thus currently the Prince of Wales
). The estate reported a profit of over £7,800,000 for the .
The Duchy of Lancaster owns approximately 46500 acres (188.2 km²) including Lancaster Castle
and is administered by a Chancellor. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
is normally a member of the British Cabinet. The income of the Duchy of Lancaster accrues to the Duke of Lancaster
a title which has been held by the reigning monarch since 1413.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
are those of Cornwall
Duchy of Cornwall
The Duchy of Cornwall is one of two royal duchies in England, the other being the Duchy of Lancaster. The eldest son of the reigning British monarch inherits the duchy and title of Duke of Cornwall at the time of his birth, or of his parent's succession to the throne. If the monarch has no son, the...
and Lancaster
Duchy of Lancaster
The Duchy of Lancaster is one of the two royal duchies in England, the other being the Duchy of Cornwall. It is held in trust for the Sovereign, and is used to provide income for the use of the British monarch...
. Unlike historic duchies, these are no longer coextensive with a distinct geographic area, though they originate in the palatine counties of Cornwall and Lancaster. Rather, they are "Crown bodies," regulated by Acts of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
, that have some of the powers of a corporation
Corporation
A corporation is created under the laws of a state as a separate legal entity that has privileges and liabilities that are distinct from those of its members. There are many different forms of corporations, most of which are used to conduct business. Early corporations were established by charter...
or trust. They invest primarily in land, and their income is payable either to the monarch
Monarch
A monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
or the monarch's eldest son.
The Duchy of Cornwall currently owns approximately 141,000 acres (570 km²) in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. This includes just over 2% of the county of Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
. The majority of the estate lies elsewhere, with half being on Dartmoor
Dartmoor
Dartmoor is an area of moorland in south Devon, England. Protected by National Park status, it covers .The granite upland dates from the Carboniferous period of geological history. The moorland is capped with many exposed granite hilltops known as tors, providing habitats for Dartmoor wildlife. The...
in Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
. The income of the Duchy of Cornwall accrues to the Duke of Cornwall
Duke of Cornwall
The Duchy of Cornwall was the first duchy created in the peerage of England.The present Duke of Cornwall is The Prince of Wales, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II, the reigning British monarch .-History:...
, who is the monarch's eldest son if heir to the throne (and thus currently the Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
). The estate reported a profit of over £7,800,000 for the .
The Duchy of Lancaster owns approximately 46500 acres (188.2 km²) including Lancaster Castle
Lancaster Castle
Lancaster Castle is a medieval castle located in Lancaster in the English county of Lancashire. Its early history is unclear, but may have been founded in the 11th century on the site of a Roman fort overlooking a crossing of the River Lune. In 1164, the Honour of Lancaster, including the...
and is administered by a Chancellor. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is, in modern times, a ministerial office in the government of the United Kingdom that includes as part of its duties, the administration of the estates and rents of the Duchy of Lancaster...
is normally a member of the British Cabinet. The income of the Duchy of Lancaster accrues to the Duke of Lancaster
Duke of Lancaster
There were several Dukes of Lancaster in the 14th and early 15th Centuries. See also Duchy of Lancaster.There were three creations of the Dukedom of Lancaster....
a title which has been held by the reigning monarch since 1413.