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The Duchy of Lancaster
The Queen is patron to 42 church livings in right of her Duchy of Lancaster.1
St Margaret's church at Stanford Rivers is under the patronage of the Duchy.
The right to appoint a church living is known as an advowson. The Duchy's advowsons date from the time when the Duchy owned manors and lands in every county. Many manors were sold by monarchs to raise money - for example, by Charles I during the Civil War - but the advowsons were retained. They are mainly posts for parish priests.
The livings are located in the northern, middle and eastemn parts of the country, although, curiously, none actually fall within the County Palatine of Lancaster.
The preliminary administration of new appointments is dealt with by the Chaplain of the Queen's Chapel of the Savoy2. Candidates are interviewed, and recommendations by the relevant Bishop are taken into account. Guidance is also taken from the local PCC to ensure that the nature and wishes of the parish are established. A recommendation is made to the Chancellor and, following this approval, the new incumbent is appointed and a ceremonial presentation made.
1 There are 6 such churches in the Diocese of Chelmsford.
2 The Queen's Chapel of the Savoy has a long association with the Duchy of Lancaster., and is the last surviving building of a hospital founded by Henry VII for homeless people in 1512. It stands on the area of London known as the Savoy The Chapel belongs to Her Majesty The Queen in her right as Duke of Lancaster.
