Happy Lancashire Day! Why the Red Rose Still Blooms

Every year on the 27th of November, a peculiar and wonderful thing happens across a vast swathe of North West England. In town halls and pubs, at community gatherings and around dinner tables, a proclamation is read aloud, glasses are raised, and a proud declaration is made:

This is Lancashire Day. It’s more than just a bit of nostalgic fun; it’s a vibrant annual reminder that the historic, original county of Lancashire—the County Palatine—is not just a memory in a history book. It’s a living, breathing identity that still matters deeply.

But wait, you might say. Didn’t Lancashire get broken up in 1974? Don’t places like Manchester and Liverpool have their own identities now?

You’re not wrong. The Local Government Act of 1974 did indeed redraw the map, creating new metropolitan counties like Greater Manchester and Merseyside.

Cartographically, Lancashire appeared to shrink, retreating to a smaller, more rural area. Yet, for those who feel it in their bones, the real Lancashire—the County Palatine—never went away. Here’s why this ancient designation is still so important.

A Pocket History of the County Palatine

To understand Lancashire’s significance, you have to go back to 1351. In the wake of the devastating Black Death, King Edward III needed a loyal and powerful lord to bring order and defend the realm in the troublesome north.

He bestowed the title of Duke of Lancaster upon his son, John of Gaunt, and elevated the area to a County Palatine.

This wasn't just a fancy name. It meant the Duke had quasi-royal authority here. The County Palatine had its own courts, appointed its own sheriffs, and could even issue its own writs. It was, for all intents and purposes, a kingdom within a kingdom, with its administrative centre not in London, but in Lancaster Castle.

This unique status forged a fiercely independent spirit. Lancastrians didn't just answer to the Crown in London; they were, first and foremost, subjects of the Duchy of Lancaster. This created a deep-seated sense of identity, separate and distinct from the rest of England.

Why the "Original" Lancashire Still Matters Today

So, why cling to a boundary that was officially changed half a century ago? Because identity isn't dictated by Whitehall bureaucrats; it's woven from history, culture, and shared experience.

1. It’s Our Shared Cultural Tapestry: The industrial revolution, which shook the world, was born in the mills and factories of South Lancashire. The bustling, inventive energy of Manchester and the mercantile might of Liverpool are not separate from Lancashire's story; they are its most dramatic chapters. The songs, the dialect, the hard-working, no-nonsense attitude—these traits are shared from the Fylde Coast to the Mersey Basin. To split them is to misunderstand the story.

   
   

2. It’s a Sense of Belonging: For many, identifying with the historic county is a way to connect with their roots. Your grandad might have been born in a house that now falls within "Greater Manchester," but he was born a Lancastrian. That lineage, that connection to a place with a grand and unique history, provides a profound sense of belonging that transcends modern administrative lines.

   
   

3. It’s a Celebration of Diversity: The beauty of the historic county is its incredible variety. It encompasses the dramatic beauty of the Forest of Bowland, the rugged charm of the Fylde coast, the vibrant urban centres of its great cities, and the quiet valleys of the Pennines. The County Palatine reminds us that we are a mosaic of town and country, industry and agriculture, all united under the red rose.

   
   

4. It’s a Living History: Lancashire Day itself, celebrated on the date the first Duke of Lancaster entered the county in 1351, is a direct link to that Palatine past, consciously evoking that ancient, independent jurisdiction. The declaration is a ritual that actively keeps history alive.

   
   

Wearing the Red Rose with Pride

The argument isn't about denying the proud, individual identities of Manchester, Liverpool, or any other town. It's about recognising that these identities can co-exist within a larger, historic whole. You can be a proud Scouser, a proud Mancunian, and a proud Lancastrian, just as you can support your local team while also cheering for England.

The red rose is not a symbol of exclusion, but of inclusion—an invitation to everyone born within the historic borders to remember where they came from.

So this Lancashire Day, whether you're in Ormskirk, Oldham, or Oswaldtwistle; Billinge, Bury or Blackpool; Wigan, Warrington or Windermere, raise a glass of ale, cut a slice of black pudding, or simply wear a red rose.

Celebrate the county that gave the world the steam engine, the world's first railway, fish and chips, and a spirit of grit, innovation, and warm hospitality that endures.

The County Palatine of Lancaster lives on, not just on a map, but in the hearts of its people.

Happy Lancashire Day to one and all!

*** The author of this article, our consultant Kevin Heywood, is a proud life member of the Friends of Real Lancashire. For more information about the Friends, or about their campaign and the County Palatine, visit their website at www.forl.co.uk ***