County palatine
Black's Law Dictionary · Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
Black's Law Dictionary
A term bestowed upon certain counties in England, the lords of which in former times enjoyed especial privileges. They might pardon treasons, murders, and felonies. All writs and indictments ran in their names, as in other counties in the king's; and ali offenses were said to be done agninst their peace, and not, as in other places, oontra pacem domini regis. But these privileges have in modem times nearly disappeared.