In response to accusations by Ariel Sharon of government readiness to concede "Israeli sovereignty" over the site to Palestinians, the Israeli government gave Sharon permission to visit the area.

Britain had conceded sovereignty but Russia and Spain asserted claims to the area.

It is extremely doubtful if Tudor monarchs would have conceded sovereignty to Parliament, at all events in any real and substantial sense.

In worshiping Mahabali and his ancestor Prahláda, he conceded sovereignty of Pátála, the netherworld.

Having offered to guarantee unlimited access to the Western Wall, the Palestinians do not see why the Israelis cannot concede to them legal sovereignty over the Temple Mount, which they already control in practical terms.

Mr Sarkozy bowed to Ms Merkel's vision of a "fiscal union" in Europe but the idea of conceding economic sovereignty to Brussels may still meet tough opposition elsewhere.

But on Israeli television today he took a tough line, reiterating remarks he had made at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, that he would not concede "sovereignty" over the holy site.

The Polish king's defeat led him to concede sovereignty over the Duchy of Prussia to Brandenburg in return for an alliance in the Treaty of Wehlau the following year.

When it comes to reprimanding citizens for their actions, Member States have been willing to concede sovereignty.

Britain conceded Spanish sovereignty over all Spain's traditional territories in the Americas.