Duke of Cornwall

The Dukedom of Cornwall was the first dukedom created in the peerage of England. The dukedom is the last in the United Kingdom still associated with an actual duchy, the Duchy of Cornwall. There is one other duchy in the United Kingdom, the Duchy of Lancaster, but there has been no Duke of Lancaster since that dukedom merged in the crown in 1413.

Duchy of Cornwall

See main article Duchy of Cornwall.

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Traditionally, the Duke of Cornwall is entitled to receive certain feudal dues. The current Duke received his dues at Launceston Castle in 1973, which included a pair of white gloves, a pair of greyhounds, a pound of pepper and cumin, a pair of gilt spurs, one hundred silver shillings, a bow, a spear and firewood. The Duke of Cornwall is also entitled to the income of the Duchy's lands to cover the cost of his public functions. Should there be no Duke of Cornwall at any time, the income of the Duchy goes to the Crown. The Duchy includes over 570 square kilometres of land, half of which lies in Devon.

Related Topics:
Launceston Castle - 1973 - Square kilometres - Devon

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The Duke also has some rights over the territory of Cornwall, the county, and for this and other reason there is debate as to the constitutional status of Cornwall. The High Sheriff of Cornwall is appointed by the Duke, not the monarch, in contrast to the other counties of England and Wales. The Duke has the right to the estates of all those who die without named heirs (intestate) in the whole of Cornwall, outside of Cornwall such estates go to the Crown. This is known as Bona Vacantia and applies to treasure trove in Cornwall as well. A sturgeon caught elsewhere in Britain is ceremonially offered to the monarch, while in Cornwall it is offered to the Duke. The Duke has right of wreck on all ships wrecked on Cornish shores, but in most of England this is the right of the Crown.

Related Topics:
Constitutional status of Cornwall - Bona Vacantia - Sturgeon

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In 2003, the Duchy earned £9,943,000, a sum that was exempt from income tax though the Prince of Wales elected to pay the tax voluntarily.

Related Topics:
2003 - Income tax

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