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, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Total shareholders' equity, beginning balance			$ 1,199,405	$ 1,128,375
Issuance of common stock			140
Repurchase of common stock			(661)	(6,297)
Accrual of stock-based compensation			4,857	4,808
Withholding of shares for grantee income taxes (SARs, RSUs, and PSAs)			(1,522)	(565)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			384	316
Net income	61,602	57,585	70,927	135,786
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock			(11,137)	(11,137)
Common stock			(33,555)	(33,891)
Repurchase of common stock			(2,827)	(27,074)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			(384)	(316)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income taxes	(4,947)	(2,252)	(11,978)	(1,091)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders			94	100
Total shareholders' equity, ending balance	1,208,059	1,188,975	1,208,059	1,188,975
Series B, preferred stock dividend rate			6.75%	6.75%
Universal Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Total shareholders' equity, beginning balance			1,185,606	1,122,570
Issuance of common stock			140
Repurchase of common stock			(661)	(6,297)
Accrual of stock-based compensation			4,857	4,808
Withholding of shares for grantee income taxes (SARs, RSUs, and PSAs)			(1,522)	(565)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			384	316
Net income			66,302	129,449
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock			(11,137)	(11,137)
Common stock			(33,555)	(33,891)
Repurchase of common stock			(2,827)	(27,074)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			(384)	(316)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income taxes			(11,880)	(1,164)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders
Total shareholders' equity, ending balance	1,189,827	1,176,860	1,189,827	1,176,860
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Total shareholders' equity, beginning balance			13,799	5,805
Issuance of common stock
Repurchase of common stock
Accrual of stock-based compensation
Withholding of shares for grantee income taxes (SARs, RSUs, and PSAs)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs
Net income			4,625	6,337
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock
Common stock
Repurchase of common stock
Dividend equivalents on RSUs
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income taxes			(98)	73
Dividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders			94	100
Total shareholders' equity, ending balance	18,232	12,115	18,232	12,115
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Foreign currency/ Interest rate hedge adjustment, net of income taxes	(2,205)	(304)	(4,963)	161
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts [Member] | Universal Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Foreign currency/ Interest rate hedge adjustment, net of income taxes			(4,963)	161
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts [Member] | Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Foreign currency/ Interest rate hedge adjustment, net of income taxes
Interest Rate Swap Agreements [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Foreign currency/ Interest rate hedge adjustment, net of income taxes	(533)		(533)
Interest Rate Swap Agreements [Member] | Universal Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Foreign currency/ Interest rate hedge adjustment, net of income taxes			(533)
Interest Rate Swap Agreements [Member] | Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Foreign currency/ Interest rate hedge adjustment, net of income taxes