Prince Charles once referred to Dr John Kirkhope, one of the co-authors of this book, as 'some kind of nutter' because he had the temerity to investigate the Duchy of Cornwall. Clearly he touched a nerve as his investigations attempted answer some basic questions about this curious entity. What exactly is the Duchy? Where did it originate and is it really the private property of the Prince of Wals? Prince Charles also applied the same appellation to Lord Berkeley, both a hereditary and a life peer, who went as far as introducing a private member's bill into the House of Lords, one that would have required the Duchy to pay tax at the same level as private companies in the UK. Far from being an innocuous and consumer-friendly organisation from the land of clotted cream, pasties and wreckers, the evidence suggests the Duchy of Cornwall is secretive, unaccountable, aloof and even somewhat sinister. What's clear is that it is not subject to the various laws and criminal sanctions - should they act in breach of the law - that apply to the rest of the country and its citizens. Published with the assistance of Republic, this book challenges long-established assumptions about the Duchy, and whether it really is a private estate that should be in the hands of the heir to the throne. "A vital exploration of a secretive and feudal estate, one that raises many uncomfortable questions for the royals and their supporters." REPUBLIC "I am not a historian but I do take some satisfaction in the fact the Duchy of Cornwall has recently, very probably, been subject to more public scrutiny than at any time in its history." JOHN KIRKHOPE "No individual, irrespective of his or her status, or organisation, no matter what its purpose, make up or history, has any right to claim exemptions from, or simply ignore, the rules and laws that govern every other individual and organisation in Britain. And it is frankly disgraceful that the principle of equality before the law should be so blatantly ignored by the Duchy." PETER STUART SMITH
The author of "An introduction to the Laws of the Duchy of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, and Devon" is a lawyer, not a historian, although he has a passion for history. As a lawyer he takes a special interest in those laws which are particular to Cornwall and, to a lesser extent, to the Isles of Scilly and to Devon and are still capable of application in the twenty-first century. It is noteworthy that certain ancient laws and customs, in particular Stannary Law, although not as relevant today as once they were, are still part of the law of England and Wales. They continue to give rights which are capable of being exercised. This is not meant to be legal textbook; that would be very dull. It is instead intended to initiate the reader to a fascinating topic. In particular there has been a growth in the number of people interested in studying the history and culture of Cornwall. This work is intended to cast additional light on an aspect of the legal history of Cornwall. It is hoped that it will encourage the reader to research still further; to that extent a lengthy list of additional reading is also provided. John Kirkhope has been awarded degrees and post-graduate qualifications from the Open University, Nottingham Trent University, Bristol University, and Cambridge. He was recently awarded a Doctorate in Philosophy from Plymouth University; his thesis was an examination of the Duchy of Cornwall and is entitled The Duchy of Cornwall-A Feudal Remnant. Professionally John qualified as a solicitor and a Notary Public.
Reprint of the original, first published in 1871. The publishing house Anatiposi publishes historical books as reprints. Due to their age, these books may have missing pages or inferior quality. Our aim is to preserve these books and make them available to the public so that they do not get lost.
Nigeria, the United States’ most important strategic partner in West Africa, is in grave trouble. While Nigerians often claim they are masters of dancing on the brink without falling off, the disastrous administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, the radical Islamic insurrection Boko Haram, and escalating violence in the delta and the north may finally provide the impetus that pushes it into the abyss of state failure. In this thoroughly updated edition, John Campbellexplores Nigeria’s post-colonial history and presents a nuanced explanation of the events and conditions that have carried this complex, dynamic, and very troubled giant to the edge. Central to his analysis are the oil wealth, endemic corruption, and elite competition that have undermined Nigeria’s nascent democratic institutions and alienated an increasingly impoverished population. However, state failure is not inevitable, nor is it in the interest of the United States. Campbell provides concrete new policy options that would not only allow the United States to help Nigeria avoid state failure but also to play a positive role in Nigeria’s political, social, and economic development.
As a young reporter John MacKay took the first calls on the Lockerbie Bombing. As a news anchor he conducted the final TV interviews of the Yes and No campaigns in Scotland's Referendum. His journey in journalism has taken him to the key events through the most dramatic decades of Scotland's peacetime history. Using contemporary scripts, transcripts of significant interviews, diaries and recollections, he charts Scotland's transformation as a society and as a nation.
Reprint of the original. The publishing house Anatiposi publishes historical books as reprints. Due to their age, these books may have missing pages or inferior quality. Our aim is to preserve these books and make them available to the public so that they do not get lost.
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