Politics & Constitution

The Isle of Man occupies a unique constitutional position within the British Isles. It has an entirely separate legal, tax and political system from that in the United Kingdom, though the Queen (as Lord of Mann) is head of state. Tynwald (the Manx parliament) is the oldest continuous parliament in the world, having been founded by the Vikings in 979.

Tynwald Ceremony

After the Wars of the Roses, the Kingdom of Mann passed to the Stanley family (later the Earls of Derby). The Derbys ruled as Kings of Mann before relinquishing the title in favour of that of Lord of Mann. Later this title passed to the Duke of Atholl, who sold his rights as Lord to the British Crown, under the terms of the 1765 Act of Revestment. Since this time the Crown has been represented on the island by a Governor or Lieutenant Governor.

DisabledGo Information

Terms & Conditions

©2008 Isle of Man Government