The
"Heritage of Lancaster" referred to by John of Gaunt
in his will dates from 1265 when Henry III gave his youngest son,
Edmund, lands and possessions following the Barons' War. In 1267
Henry created Edmund the first Earl of Lancaster and gave him
the County, Honour and Castle of Lancaster.
In
1355 Edward III raised Lancaster to a County Palatine and created
Edmund's grandson, Henry Grosmont, first Duke of Lancaster. This
gave Henry sovereign rights in the County.
The
first Duke died without male issue and the inheritance passed
to his daughters, Blanche and Maude. By his marriage to Blanche,
John of Gaunt, son of Edward III, acquired the inheritance and
in 1390 the Palatinate was granted for his heirs forever.
Following
the death of his father, John of Gaunt in 1399, Henry Bolingbroke
returned from exile to secure the Lancaster inheritance from claims
by his cousin, Richard II. Richard was deposed and Bolingbroke
was later crowned Henry IV. After his coronation, Henry decreed
that the Duchy inheritance should remain separate from all other
Crown holdings to be enjoyed by his heirs and successors. It has
remained so to the present day.
Thus,
distinctive procedures for the inheritance endure, the Chancellor
of the Duchy - a Member of the Cabinet - being directly responsible
to The Queen for the administration of the Duchy.
The
office of High Sheriff has its roots in Saxon times and is the
oldest continuous secular office under the Crown. The High Sheriff
is the Keeper of The Queen's Peace in a County and executes judgements
of the High Court through an Under Sheriff. Office is held for
one year during which the High Sheriff is responsible for the
well-being of Her Majesty's Judges in the county, and other public
duties.
In
Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, the High Sheriff
is appointed by The Queen in Right of Her Duchy of Lancaster.
Each Lord Lieutenant recommends a name to the Chancellor of the
Duchy. The Queen 'pricks' the names of the three High Sheriffs
on the Lites with a bodkin, a practice dating back to the time
of Queen Elizabeth I. The Chancellor of the Duchy attends the
pricking ceremony which serves to distinguish appointments to
the Shrievalty in the Duchy area from those in the remainder of
the country.
During
their installations High Sheriffs make a declaration to carry
out their historic duties during their year in Office and at a
ceremony each year, the Constable of the Castle receives the High
Sheriff of Lancashire's Shield which is hung in the Shire Hall
of Lancaster Castle. |
