From the late 13th century the ducal council began restricting political and economic rights, banning the commenda and nationalising trade.

ECONOMIST: Creating economic wealth

As a clue to ducal solidarity, a shared outlook (16 dukes, for instance, went to one school, Eton) probably matters more than breeding.

ECONOMIST: M��lords, ladies and gentlemen

The top security "red zone" includes the city centre, the summit venue, the 13th-Century Ducal Palace, and the waterfront where hotels and cruise ships hosting 1, 500 delegates and 5, 000 journalists will be located.

CNN: Genoa braces for G8 summit

In his army days he had bought a house in Oxfordshire, and preferred it to the edifices he eventually inherited in 1975 as duke of Norfolk, particularly Arundel Castle in Sussex, the ducal seat, nearly 1, 000 years old, brimming with history, but mostly comfortless.

ECONOMIST: Duke of Norfolk