This post has been updated to reflect King Charles III’s accession to the throne.
- Lancashire Day is celebrated each year on 27th November.
- Commemorates the day in 1295 when Lancashire first sent representatives to the Model Parliament of Edward I.
- The Normans established the Historic County of Lancashire. Counties allowed Monarchs to exercise control via representatives in the form of Sheriffs, Lord-Lieutenants and Justices of the Peace.
- Edward III raised Lancaster to a County Palantine and made Henry I Duke of Lancaster.
- The Duke of Lancaster had a degree of autonomy when it came justice and administration. He was responsible for appointing Sheriffs, Judges and other officials.
- Palatinate powers were effectively devolved royal powers in regions where central government could be difficult.
- The title Duke of Lancaster became extinct when Henry I died without a male heir and the Palatinate powers reverted back to Edward III.
- Henry’s inheritance was split between his two daughters, Blanche and Maude, Lancaster forming part of Blanche’s dowry, when she married John of Gaunt. When Maude died childless her inheritance was also passed to Blanche.
- The Palatinate was re-created for John and subsequently in 1390 extended to include his heirs.
- The Palatinate powers were only fully revoked in 1873.
- To this day, the Duchy of Lancaster is administered separately from the Crown Estates.
The Lancashire Day Proclamation
Read out by town criers on 27th November.
‘Know ye also, and rejoice, that by virtue of His Majesty’s County Palatine of Lancaster, the citizens of the Hundreds of Lonsdale, North and South of the Sands, Amounderness, Leyland, Blackburn, Salford and West Derby are forever entitled to style themselves Lancastrians.
Throughout the County Palatine, from the Furness Fells to the River Mersey, from the Irish Sea to the Pennines, this day shall ever mark the people’s pleasure in that excellent distinction – true Lancastrians, proud of the Red Rose and loyal to our Sovereign Duke.
God Bless Lancashire and God Save the King, Duke of Lancaster.’
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