Michael .... it really is quite simple ...... even a Yorkshireman should be able to grasp this concept. Ever since Henry V111 the monarch has been the head of the Church of England and as such is God's representative in our sacred isle. Ever since Henry 1V the ruling monarch (God's representative you recall) has also carried the title of the Duke of Lancaster, thus the Duke of Lancaster ipso facto is God's representative on the fair land of ours. Thus Lancashire MUST be God's county

See quite easy