County Palatine
A Dictionary of Law · Henry Campbell Black · 1891
A Dictionary of Law
A term bestowed upon certain counties in England, the lords of which in former times enjoyed especial privileges. They might pardon treasons, murders, ind felonies. All writs and indictments ran in their names, as in other counties in the king’s; and all offenses were said to be done against their peace, and not, as in other places, contra pacem domint regis. ut these privileges have in modern times nearly disappeared.