LANCASTER, DETCOY OF. Lancaster is a duchy and county palatine (see PALATINE) of England, created by royal charter, in which respect it differs from Durham and Chester. Edward III., on the death of henry, duke of Lancaster, conferred the duchy on John of Gaunt and his heirs forever. During the wars of the Roses Henry IV. and Edward IV. both endeavored so to settle the duchy that it should descend to the heirs of their body apart from the crown, and continue with them in the event of their losing the latter. The result of these several attempts has been the preservation of the duchy as a separate possession in order and government, but united in point of inheritance. The revenues of the duchy form no part of those hereditary revenues in lieu of which the civil list (q.v.) was granted. The net proceeds are paid over to the privy purse, and wholly exempted from parliamentary control, except that the annual account for receipt and expenditure is presented. The county palatine forms only a portion of the duchy, which includes considerable estates not within the county palatine. There is a chan
cellor of the duchy (i.e., of the part of it which does not lie within the county), and of the county palatine, which two offices are generally united. The duchy court of Lan caster, held at Westminster, and presided over by the chancellor of the duchy, or his deputy, exercises jurisdiction in all matters of equity relating to the lands of the duchy. The administration of justice has recently been assimilated to that of the rest of Eug land. The office of chancellor is a political appointment, which it is the practice to confer on a statesman of eminence, frequently a member of the cabinet, who is expected to devote his time to such larger questions occupying the attention of government as do not fall witniu other departments. The emoluments of the office are about £2,000 per annum. By 17 and 18 Viet. c. 12, the chancellor of the duchy, with the two lords justices of the court of appeal, form the palatinate court of appeal.