Editing Principality (section)

==Terminology==
Most of these states have historically been a [[polity]], but on some occasions, they were rather territories in respect of which a princely title is held. The prince's estate and wealth may be located mainly or wholly outside the geographical confines of the principality.

Generally recognised surviving sovereign principalities are [[Liechtenstein]], [[Monaco]], and the co-principality of [[Andorra]]. Extant royal [[primogenitures]] styled as principalities include [[Asturias]] (Spain). The [[Principality of Wales]] existed in the northern and western areas of Wales between the 13th and 16th centuries; the [[Laws in Wales Act 1535|''Laws in Wales Act 1535'']] which legally incorporated [[England and Wales|Wales within England]] removed the distinction between those areas and the [[Welsh Marches|March of Wales]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Jenkins|first1=Geraint H.|title=A Concise History of Wales|date=2007|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9780521823678|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sriBkaHhpREC&pg=PA103|language=en}}</ref> 

The [[Principality of Catalonia]] was a state located in the north-eastern area of the Iberian Peninsula and southern France between the late 12th and early 18th centuries, as the term for the political entity ruled by the [[Catalan Courts]] (the parliament) as a member of the [[composite monarchy]] of the [[Crown of Aragon]], until the defeat of the Habsburgs in the [[War of the Spanish Succession]] (1701-1714), when the Bourbons abolished these institutions due to their support for the Habsburg pretender. "Principality of Asturias" is the official name of the autonomous community of [[Asturias]]. However, the term "Principality of Catalonia" or simply "Principality" remains in popular and informal contexts to refer to the autonomous community of [[Catalonia]].

The term "principality" is also sometimes used generically for any small monarchy, especially for small sovereign states ruled by a monarch of a lesser rank than a king, such as a [[Fürst]] (usually translated in English as "prince"), as in Liechtenstein, or a [[Grand Duke]]. No sovereign [[duchy]] currently exists, but [[Luxembourg]] is a surviving example of a sovereign grand duchy. Historically, there have been sovereign principalities with many styles of rulers, such as [[Countship]], [[Margraviate]], and even [[Lord]]ship, especially within the [[Holy Roman Empire]].

While the preceding definition would seem to perfectly fit a [[princely state]], the European historical tradition is to reserve that word for native monarchies in colonial countries and apply "principality" to European monarchies.