On Tuesday the Committee of Privileges of the House of
Lords gave their decision in the earldom of Norfolk case, and decided unanimously that Lord Mowbray had not made out his claim. The earldom was created in 1135 for Hugh de Bigod, whose descendant, Roger, in 1302 surrendered it into the hands of the King. The King, regarding it as vested in himself, bestowed it upon Thomas de Brotherton, Lord Mowbray's ancestor. The Committee decided that such surrender by Roger de Bigod was invalid, that the King had therefore no earldom of Norfolk to grant, and that the gift to Thomas de Brotherton was illegal. Lord Mowbray, not claiming through the Bigods, was consequently held to have no case. It is a most interesting decision for the light which it casts upon the nature of the Royal Prerogative. No Peer can disown his honour, which must descend in spite of his dis- avowal, since it is inherent in the blood. The King may do wrong apparently in the exercise of his Prerogative, and gifts made under such conditions are void in law.
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