Lords of regality historically had powers akin to an earl palatine in England,[2] and they held superior courts, known as regality courts, that exercised both civil and criminal legal powers over specified lands and baronies.
Senior Counsel asserts the Act should be interpreted based on its purpose, which was to remove jurisdictions, not titles.
While initially established to aid in governance through delegated authority, some regality lords in the 14th century attempted to usurp royal power and rule their jurisdictions independently.
[citation needed] By the 15th century, regalities had returned to functioning as a means of local administration on behalf of the monarchy.
The title of baron encompassed the higher ranks of duke, marquis, and earl, as well as that of lord.
Some individuals of greater merit or influence with the sovereign were granted even higher privileges than regular barons through the elevation of their lands into regalities.
Beyond the rights and privileges inherent to a barony, a regality also conveyed additional Regalia and valuable Franchises.