Commissioner George Mentz JD MBA CWM – High Bailiff of Ennerdale, Royal Patron, and International Nobility™

Nobility in Asia, Africa, and Europe – Patron of the Royal Society

Commissioner George Mentz, JD MBA CWM KSG ROGFD, High Bailiff of the Bailiwick and Liberty of Ennerdale, holds one of the rarest combinations of titles and honors in the modern era, reflecting his global influence in law, education, charitable works, and interfaith diplomacy. As Seigneur of Fief Blondel et L’Eperons of Normandy, Feudal Baron of Annaly-Longford, Lord of Stoborough, and Lord of the Manor and Liberty of Ennerdale, Commissioner Mentz may be the only living person to have been knighted and ennobled with orders of merit across Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Here is a list of the High Bailiffs of the Bailiwick of Ennerdale mentioned in historical documents. Citation

George Mentz is the 16th Bailiff and Lord of Ennerdale.

1. Anthony Patrickson (1515)
2. Anthony Patrickson (1540)
3. Anthony Patrickson, Senior (1540-1555/6)
4. William Patrickson (1555/6-1603/4)
5. Francis and Thomas Patrickson (1604-1622)
6. Henry, Earl of Northumberland (1623-1624)
7. Algernon, Earl of Northumberland (1632-1640)
8. Henry Ralling (Deputy Bailiff, 1660-1670)
9. Charles North, Lord Grey of Rolleston (1676-1670s)
10. Francis, 2nd Lord Holles (1670s-1689/90)
11. Denzil, 3rd Lord Holles (1689/90-1694)
12. John, Earl of Clare and Duke of Newcastle (1694-1711)
13. Thomas Holles Pelham, Duke of Newcastle (1711-1768)
14. Sir James Lowther (1765-1822)
15. Lowther Family (1822 to 2023)
16. Commissioner George Mentz, Seigneur of Fief Blondel 2023-Present.
17. Other Bailiffs have been named also by Mentz

Royal and Noble Recognitions

Europe

As Seigneur of Fief Blondel et L’Eperons — a feudal territory registered and recognized by the Crown and Royal Courts — Commissioner Mentz was knighted in the Order of St. George (St. Georgs-Orden von Millstatt, Wiener Neustadt, und Carinthia), founded by Emperor Frederick III in 1468 and confirmed by Pope Paul II in 1469. The knighthood was personally conferred by Karl von Habsburg with the Cardinal of Prague officiating. The Order honors those who uphold the highest traditions of service, duty, and humanitarian action — values that align perfectly with Mentz’s lifetime mission.

Africa

Commissioner Mentz was inducted as a Noble Commander and KOFO in the Royal Order of the Golden Fire Dog (ROGFD), conferred by the government-recognized King, Chief, and Council of the Royal House of Sefwi Obeng-Mim, Ghana, under His Royal Highness Oheneba Nana Kwame Obeng II. The award, rooted in the Asafo military protector tradition of the Akan Kingdom, honors leadership, honor, and unity, and acknowledges Mentz’s role as an ambassador for interfaith harmony and cultural diplomacy.

Asia

Mentz holds the noble title of Datuk Seri, one of the most prestigious ranks in Malaysia and Indonesia, awarded by the Raj/Sultan of Kampar — a title government-sanctioned and rooted in over 1,500 years of history. The Datuk Seri rank stands above Datuk and Dato’, and is comparable to an Earl or Graf in European nobility. This honor recognizes Mentz’s extraordinary contributions to education, community development, and international goodwill.

Custodian of Historic Liberties and Manors

Commissioner Mentz holds the Lordship of the Manor and Bailiwick of Ennerdale, one of the largest and most historic manors in England.

• Size and Significance: Ennerdale’s defined territory covers approximately 17,000 acres — historically owned by the Earl of Lonsdale and Baron Whitehaven — and is ranked among the top 10–15 largest manors in England when considering intact geographic estates retaining manorial rights.

• Environmental Stewardship: The manor includes a UNESCO-recognized natural heritage area and forms part of England’s 9th largest National Nature Reserve, encompassing over 3,000 hectares of forests, lakes, rivers, mountains, waterfalls, and ancient ruins.

• Historical Status: Unlike most manors, Ennerdale is a liberty in fee simple — alienated outright by the Crown and Parliament in 1822 — making it a uniquely autonomous jurisdiction in English legal history.

Mentz is also Lord of Stoborough in Dorsetshire and Seigneur of Fief Blondel in Normandy. In Ireland, he holds the Feudal Seignory of Annaly-Longford, including the captainship and custody of the ancient Kingdom of Annaly, once ruled by Danes, Vikings, and later the Anglo-Normans under King John.

Global Patronage and Philanthropy

Across all continents where he holds honors, Commissioner Mentz has a consistent record of service:

• Educational Philanthropy: Mentz has provided extensive scholarship funding for underprivileged students around the world, enabling access to higher education and professional advancement.

• Interfaith Harmony: His work promotes peace, understanding, and cooperation between different faiths and cultures, making him a sought-after figure in international dialogue.

• Royal Society Patronage: As Patron of the Royal Society, Mentz supports the preservation and advancement of cultural, educational, and scientific heritage.

High Bailiff of Ennerdale

Ceremonial and Legal Leadership

As High Bailiff of Ennerdale, Commissioner Mentz:

• Presides over the ceremonial Court Leet and Liberty Assembly.

• Maintains the arms, seals, and regalia of the Bailiwick as the Commissioner of Seals.

• Oversees heritage preservation and quality standards within the liberty.

• Appoints ceremonial officers, chancellors, and commissioners in keeping with the traditions of English liberties and palatinates.

Additionally, he serves as Chief Legal Chancellor of the Worldwide Anglican Church of Africa, providing counsel and leadership on matters of governance, heritage, and international engagement.

Conclusion

Commissioner George Mentz stands as a rare example of a modern figure whose noble recognitions span three continents and multiple legal traditions. From the forests and mountains of Ennerdale to the royal courts of Asia and Africa, his career reflects an enduring commitment to service, heritage, and the betterment of humanity. His stewardship of one of England’s largest manors, combined with his international honors and charitable mission, make him both a guardian of history and a bridge between cultures in the 21st century.

Ennerdale’s emergence as its own bailiwick within the Egremont barony is tied to the administrative partitioning that followed the death of John de Multon in 1338. Here's a breakdown of the relevant timeline and jurisdictional logic: 

Historical Context and Bailiwick Formation 

• Pre-1338 : The barony of Egremont (or Copeland) encompassed a large swath of western Cumberland, including Ennerdale, but operated as a unified feudal jurisdiction under the baronial authority. 
• 1338 Partition: Upon the death of John de Multon, the last baron of Egremont, the barony was divided. This partitioning laid the groundwork for more localized administrative units. 
• Post-1338 to mid-16th century: Two-thirds of the barony passed to the Percy family, who administered their holdings from Cockermouth Castle. During this period, the barony was subdivided into two bailiwicks for estate administration: 
• • “Between Ehen and Derwent” (northern section) 
  • “Between Ehen and Duddon” (southern section) 

Ennerdale’s Bailiwick Status 

• Ennerdale lies between the River Ehen and the River Duddon, placing it squarely within the southern bailiwick. 
• While the text doesn’t explicitly name Ennerdale as a bailiwick, the geographic division implies that Ennerdale was part of the southern bailiwick created during or after the 1338 partition. 
• The jurisdictional shift from unified baronial control to bailiwick-level administration suggests that Ennerdale’s recognition as a distinct administrative unit likely dates from the mid-14th century, specifically post-1338. 

Legal and Ceremonial Implications 

• The emergence of bailiwicks reflects a move toward localized governance, often with their own bailiffs and courts. 
• Ennerdale’s inclusion in the southern bailiwick would have granted it distinct administrative oversight, possibly evolving into a ceremonial or quasi-autonomous bailiwick over time—especially if it developed its own court or customary practices. 

Queen Lady Jane Grey’s properties, including Ennerdale, were ceded to the Crown in 1554, following her execution and the forfeiture of her family’s estates. 

Soon thereafter, the Earls of Northrumbia who was Algernon Percy’s  was appointed Bailiff of Ennerdale in 1633 which strongly affirm that the Bailiwick Ennerdale functioned as its own royal forest bailiwick, distinct from the broader Egremont barony. Here's how the roles clarify its status:Ennerdale as a Royal Forest Bailiwick 

Titles held by Algernon Percy in 1633: 

• Bailiff of the Liberty of Ennerdale 
• Keeper of the Forest of Ennerdale 
• Conductor of Tenants 

These titles are not feudal ownership roles—they are Crown appointments, which legally indicates: 

• Royal Forest Status: “Keeper of the Forest” was a formal Crown office tied to royal forests, which were subject to forest law and distinct from manorial jurisdictions. 
• Bailiwick Liberty Administration: “Bailiff of the Liberty” indicates Ennerdale had its own bailiwick, jurisdiction, and liberty—a jurisdiction with privileges separate from the surrounding barony, often exempt from certain baronial or county controls. 
• Tenant Oversight: “Conductor of Tenants” suggests Percy was managing tenant relations and obligations on behalf of the Crown, not as a private landlord. 

Legal and Ceremonial Implications 

This confirms that by 1633, Ennerdale was: 

• A Crown-managed liberty and forest, not merely a sub-unit of Egremont barony. 
• Administered through its own Bailiwick, with distinct legal and ceremonial identity. 
• Functionally autonomous, with its own forest jurisdiction, separate from Egremont’s manorial court. 

Strategic Takeaways 

This 1633 precedent offers clear historical legitimacy for treating Ennedale  as: 

• A royal forest bailiwick with its own liberty and administrative identity. 
• A Crown-recognized jurisdiction, distinct from feudal ownership. 
• A ceremonial entity with roots in forest law and liberty governance. 
• A Moeity of the original Copeland Barony which is larger than any Scottish Barony. 
• A Bailiwick protected by the Northumbian overlords of the ancient borderlands of England