Duchy

Aduchyis a territory or domain ruled by adukeorduchess.Historically, some duchies inContinental Europeweresovereign,while others (especially inFranceandBritain) were subordinate districts of akingdom.

Traditionally, agrand duchy,such asLuxembourg,was generallyindependentand sovereign. Sovereign duchies were common in theHoly Roman EmpireandGerman-speaking areas. InFrance,a number of duchies existed in the medieval period. QueenElizabeth II of the United Kingdomstill holds the medieval French title ofDuke of Normandy;the only lands still attached to the Duchy of Normandy are theChannel Islands.

In medievalEngland,the territories ofLancashireandCornwallwere made duchies, with certain powers given to their Dukes.

Today, duchies aren't very common in Europe, primarily because a lot of formermonarchiessuch as France andRussiahad theirrevolutions.However, duchies will always be remembered - in ourhistory textbooks.

Other websites

• The Duchy of Cornwall- On the Prince of Wales' official web-site
• Tyr Gwyr GwerynArchived2015-02-05 at theWayback MachineThe Duchy charters, Cornish foreshore case and much more in full