The Lordship Bailiwick and Forest of Ennerdale Ⓡ̿
A Timeless Liberty Rooted in Royal Rights and Noble Stewardship
My name is George Mentz and I welcome you to the Bailiwick of Ennerdale. The
Lordship of the Bailiwick and Forest of Ennerdale is one of the few surviving
private liberties in the British Isles, tracing its origins to medieval charters and Crown grants that bestowed not only lands but
sovereign-style jurisdiction to its holders. Nestled in the historic county of Cumberland
(now Cumbria), this lordship embodies the rare fusion of forest rights, manorial governance, and legal independence, making it one of
England’s most extraordinary territorial titles. 
A Historic Liberty of National Importance
Unlike many manorial holdings, Ennerdale was separated from the Honour and Barony of Copeland and granted
distinct bailiwick status, with its own officers, courts, and legal customs. In 1822, the
Crown and Government formally sold its feudal rights in Ennerdale to the Earl of
Lonsdale, constituting a true sale of quasi sovereignty and rights, not merely a lease or tenure.
The Lordship enjoys:
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Autonomous ceremonial authority within its bounds
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Fishing and forest rights across the Ennerdale Water and Valley
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Court baron and leet traditions still legally recognizable
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The right to appoint bailiffs, wardens, and ceremonial captains
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The custodianship of arms, seals, and heraldic regalia
These unique features make Ennerdale one of the last quasi-sovereign hereditary jurisdictions in the United Kingdom.
A Forest Lordship
At the heart of the lordship lies the Forest of Ennerdale, a wild and pristine landscape of lakes, rivers, and ancient
woodlands. This forest was once a royal hunting ground and is today part of national conservation efforts, respected both for its natural beauty and deep
historical roots.
The Lord of the Bailiwick Liberty and Forest of Ennerdale holds
traditional and symbolic responsibilities over the land, preserving not just
trees and trails, but the heritage of stewardship that stretches back for centuries.
The Current Lord of the Bailiwick Liberty and Ancient Forest
Today, the Lord of the Bailiwick and Forest of Ennerdale is Commissioner George S. Mentz, JD MBA DSS — an international lawyer, law
professor, and globally respected figure in legal education and diplomacy.
As holder of multiple legal and noble titles, Lord Mentz is dedicated to:
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Upholding the traditions and rights of the Ennerdale lordship
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Promoting historical awareness and civic virtue
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Encouraging academic, legal, and cultural engagement
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Preserving ceremonial customs and issuing legitimate charters, honors,
and recognitions within the historical framework of the liberty
Mission and Vision
The purpose of the Lordship today is not feudal power, but stewardship, heritage preservation, and cultural legacy.
The vision is to maintain this historic title as a beacon of:
This enduring English liberty remains a living example of the evolution of justice, honor, and noble duty through the
centuries.
“Let the rights of the forest and the liberty of Ennerdale never be forgotten, for in
them lives the soul of England’s ancient freedom.”
— Inscription, Archive of Ennerdale Manor 
Summary of the Ancestral Lineage of George
Mentz
Commissioner George Sherwood Mentz, JD MBA CWM, Seigneur of Fief Blondel and Datuk Seri,
descends from an illustrious tapestry of European royal and noble lineages. His ancestry spans the British
Isles and continental Europe, linking him to a remarkable array of monarchs, nobles, and Gaelic chieftains.
His heritage includes clans and families such as the Maitlands, Drummonds, Kerrs, Flemings, Montgomerys, Sinclairs, Campbells, MacDougalls,
and McConnell, Lords of the Isles.
Among his most notable sovereign ancestors are:
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Somerled, the Progenitor King of the Isles
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The McConnell / MacDonald Lords of the Isles
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Robert II Stewart, 1st Stuart King of Scotland
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James I, II, and IV of Scotland
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Joan Beaufort, Queen of Scotland
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Walter FitzAlan, 3rd High Steward of Scotland
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Sir Archibald “The Tyneman” Douglas, Regent of Scotland
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Robert the Bruce, King of Scots
European royal descent includes ties to:
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King Christian of Denmark and Norway
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The von Guelders, von Habsburg, von Hohenzollern, and von Brandenburg
dynasties
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Holy Roman Emperors
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Kings of France, Poland, Hungary, Sweden, Austria, and Germany
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Descent from the Julio-Claudian Roman emperors
He is also connected to prominent noble titles including:
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Earls of Roxburghe, Northumberland, Perth, Atholl, Carrick, Wigton, Buchan,
and Argyll
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Dukes of Normandy, Norfolk, Albany
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Barons of Woodstock, Lethington, and Thirlestane
Commissioner Mentz’s ancestral roots affirm his position as a direct descendant of some
of the most influential rulers in European history. His ceremonial revival of chieftainship particularly
honors the enduring cultural and sovereign legacy of the Mac Dhomhnaill–McConnell line, Lords of the Isles.
Customary Style and Title of a Bailiwick Holder
The Holder of the Lordship of the Bailiwick, Royal Forest, and
Liberty of Ennerdale, should present the title with his name depending on the tradition and formality of the context (legal, ceremonial, social, academic, or
international).
1. English Customary Style
In the British / Anglo-Norman tradition, manorial or seignorial lords usually
present themselves as:
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George Mentz, Lord of the Bailiwick, Royal Forest and Liberty of
Ennerdale
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Or in shorter social usage: George Mentz of Ennerdale
If styled formally in writing (such as a legal, historical, or heraldic context):
(“Right Hon.” is sometimes added for lords of liberties and jurisdictions with Crown
provenance.)
2. German/Austrian Nobiliary Style
If adopting the historic von und zu form:
If notated in ceremonial contexts:
3. French Style
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Georges Mentz, Seigneur Impérial d’Ennerdale
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Long form: Très Haut et Très Puissant Seigneur Georges Mentz, Seigneur Impérial de la
Baillie, Forêt Royale et Liberté d’Ennerdale
4. Latin Diplomatic Style (for pan-European use in charters, universities,
orders of chivalry, etc.)
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Georgius Mentz, Dominus Imperialis Ballivæ, Forestæ Regiæ et Libertatis
Ennerdale
(“George Mentz, Imperial Lord of the Bailiwick, Royal Forest, and Liberty of Ennerdale”)
5. Short Social/Formal Usage (Modern Presentation)
In modern professional and ceremonial life, to avoid misunderstanding, it is common to
use:
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George Mentz, Lord of Ennerdale (short and clear)
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George Mentz, Seigneur of Ennerdale (if French styling is
preferred)
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George Mentz, Reichsherr von und zu Ennerdale (if Germanic styling
is preferred in Europe)
✅ Recommendation for practical daily use:
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On formal correspondence, ceremonial invitations, or publications:
“George Mentz, Lord of the Bailiwick, Royal Forest and Liberty of Ennerdale.”
Bailiwick of Ennerdale Ⓡ̃ Ⓡ̿
-
In shorter contexts (business card, signature block, press, etc.):
“George Mentz, Lord of Ennerdale.” Bailiwick
of Ennerdale Ⓡ̃ Ⓡ̿
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