Queen asserts rights to mine under homes Mary Richardson, who has lived in her house in Raunds for 44 years, received one of the letters. She said: "It sets out the fact that the Duchy of Lancaster has the right to minerals, etc, under your land. I've had to read it through quite a few times and at first I was a bit alarmed about it. The Duchy council said they had sent the letters because they had to register their rights to minerals between properties because of a deadline set by the land registry. Nathan Thompson, clerk of the Duchy council, said: "The Duchy of Lancaster has owned these manorial mineral rights for many centuries and is having to register these rights with the Land Registry in order to preserve them for the future because of the change in legislation." He also said they may be able to allay some residents" concerns and added: "We understand that some homeowners may be concerned at having our mineral ownership shown on their title however, the possible sale and transfer of the Duchy mineral rights to them would not be ruled out in certain circumstances." Iron ore has previously been mined in Northamptonshire. Last month the Prince of Wales was accused of using "bully tactics" after letters were sent to 1,600 residents of Stoke Climsland informing them he owns the land beneath their homes. The Duchy wants home owners to alter their deeds to reflect the Prince of Wales" right to metals and minerals beneath their properties. The Land Registration Act passed in 2002 states all owners of ancient rights to minerals must officially register them by October 2013. The Duchy of Lancaster was founded in the 13th Century and is the custodian of 18,700 hectares of land in England and Wales. The Marquess of Salisbury angered residents in Welwyn Garden City last month after he claimed his manorial rights over their land, prompting fears he may dig up their gardens.