Articles

  • What is a county palatine – and is it a different kind of county?

    What is a county palatine – and is it a different kind of county?

    A county palatine was a county in which extensive royal powers were exercised locally. Palatine status concerned jurisdiction; it did not create…

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  • Helping Parliament get county days right: HCI reference circulated to Speaker’s team

    Helping Parliament get county days right: HCI reference circulated to Speaker’s team

    HCI has produced a constituency–county reference for Parliament, showing which geographic county or counties each parliamentary constituency covers, which the Speaker’s office…

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  • Westmorland Day: celebrating the County of Westmorland

    Westmorland Day: celebrating the County of Westmorland

    Westmorland Day on 29 September celebrates the county’s landscape, history, traditions and enduring identity.

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  • Is Tamworth in Staffordshire or Warwickshire?

    Is Tamworth in Staffordshire or Warwickshire?

    Tamworth straddles Staffordshire and Warwickshire, with historical landmarks like Tamworth Castle in Warwickshire and St Editha’s Church in Staffordshire, reflecting its divided…

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  • What is the difference between the County Palatine of Lancaster and the wider Duchy area?

    What is the difference between the County Palatine of Lancaster and the wider Duchy area?

    The County Palatine of Lancaster is distinct from the Duchy of Lancaster, which extends beyond geographic Lancashire. Local government changes did not…

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  • Is Tunbridge Wells in Kent or Sussex?

    Is Tunbridge Wells in Kent or Sussex?

    Royal Tunbridge Wells spans the historic counties of Kent and Sussex, with most of its old town located in Kent, while areas…

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  • When even the Duchy of Lancaster gets Lancashire wrong

    When even the Duchy of Lancaster gets Lancashire wrong

    When even the Duchy of Lancaster gets Lancashire wrong, it shows just how deeply Britain’s confusion between counties and administrative areas now…

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  • Does the Historic Counties Institute want to restore pre-1974 county councils?

    Does the Historic Counties Institute want to restore pre-1974 county councils?

    HCI does not seek to restore pre-1974 councils. It seeks recognition and use of the geographic counties separately from local-government and lieutenancy…

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Geography

Places & Boundaries

Which county a place lies in, county boundaries, detached parts and boundary interpretation.

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Foundations

Explainers & County Geography

County geography, terminology, legal distinctions and the history behind common county questions.

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Public policy

Government & Policy

Local-government reform, council naming, lieutenancy reform, consultations and HCI policy interventions.

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Evidence

Research, Evidence & Mapping

Census work, official sources, Ordnance Survey evidence, statistics and RealCounties mapping developments.

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Identity

County Identity & Culture

County days, flags, boundary signs, heritage, celebrations, sport and cultural identity.

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Institute

HCI News & Campaigns

Announcements, campaigns, corrections secured, Parliamentary engagement and organisational progress.

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