Appanage

Appanage is not an English legal term, but is a technical word in the French law, in which system it signifies the assignment or conveyance by the crown of lands and feudal rights to the princes of the royal family, that they may be enabled to maintain themselves according to their rank. This was done in France from the time of the early Capets to the Revolution, and the importance it gave to the princes accounts for much in the history of France. The word is also applied to the patrimony of the Prince and Steward of Scotland, which 'has been long erected into a regality jurisdiction, called the principality. The prince has, or may have, his own chancery, from which his writs issue, and may have his own chamberlain and other officers, for receiving and managing his revenue.' In England, the duchy of Cornwall (q.v.), originally granted by parliamentary charter to the Black Prince, may be said to be an appanage of the Prince of Wales, in whose person also, since the junction of the two kingdoms under the same crown, now merge the rights of the Prince of Scotland. In all these cases, the appanage would probably revert to the crown on failure of lineal heirs-male. In Great Britain, further provision for the maintenance of the royal princes is made by the grant of annuities by parliament.