Changes In Shareholders' Equity And Noncontrolling Interests In Subsidiaries (Reconciliation Of Changes In Shareholders' Equity And Noncontrolling Interests In Subsidiaries) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Total shareholders' equity, beginning balance			$ 1,205,990	$ 1,199,405
Issuance of common stock			493	140
Repurchase of common stock			(969)	(661)
Accrual of stock-based compensation			4,686	4,857
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes (SARs, RSUs, and PSAs)			(2,970)	(1,522)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			430	384
Net income	39,715	61,602	114,234	70,927
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock			(11,137)	(11,137)
Common stock			(34,600)	(33,555)
Repurchase of common stock			(4,681)	(2,827)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			(430)	(384)
Foreign currency translation, net of income taxes			(342)	(11,978)
Pension and other postretirement benefits, net of income taxes			7,168	3,272
Dividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders			(1,945)	(94)
Total shareholders' equity, ending balance	1,276,449	1,211,331	1,276,449	1,211,331
Universal Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Total shareholders' equity, beginning balance			1,183,451	1,185,606
Issuance of common stock			493	140
Repurchase of common stock			(969)	(661)
Accrual of stock-based compensation			4,686	4,857
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes (SARs, RSUs, and PSAs)			(2,970)	(1,522)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			430	384
Net income			106,648	66,302
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock			(11,137)	(11,137)
Common stock			(34,600)	(33,555)
Repurchase of common stock			(4,681)	(2,827)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			(430)	(384)
Foreign currency translation, net of income taxes			(634)	(11,880)
Pension and other postretirement benefits, net of income taxes			7,168	3,272
Dividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders			0	0
Total shareholders' equity, ending balance	1,247,977	1,193,099	1,247,977	1,193,099
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Total shareholders' equity, beginning balance			22,539	13,799
Issuance of common stock			0	0
Repurchase of common stock			0	0
Accrual of stock-based compensation			0	0
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes (SARs, RSUs, and PSAs)			0	0
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			0	0
Net income			7,586	4,625
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock			0
Common stock			0
Repurchase of common stock			0	0
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			0	0
Foreign currency translation, net of income taxes			292	(98)
Pension and other postretirement benefits, net of income taxes			0	0
Dividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders			(1,945)	(94)
Total shareholders' equity, ending balance	28,472	18,232	28,472	18,232
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Foreign currency interest rate hedge, net of income taxes			1,023	(4,963)
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts [Member] | Universal Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Foreign currency interest rate hedge, net of income taxes			1,023	(4,963)
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts [Member] | Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Foreign currency interest rate hedge, net of income taxes			0	0
Interest Rate Swap Agreements [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Foreign currency interest rate hedge, net of income taxes			(501)	(533)
Interest Rate Swap Agreements [Member] | Universal Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Foreign currency interest rate hedge, net of income taxes			(501)	(533)
Interest Rate Swap Agreements [Member] | Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Foreign currency interest rate hedge, net of income taxes			$ 0	$ 0