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{{not to be confused with|Grand duchy}}
{{not to be confused with|Grand duchy}}
{{short description|Territory, fief, collection of counties, or domain ruled by, or representing the title of, a duke or duchess}}
{{Short description|Territory ruled by, or representing the title of, a duke or duchess}}
[[File:Duke & Duchess of Scania 1905.jpg|thumb|The Duke and Duchess of [[Scania]] in 1905]]
[[File:Prins Carl, Hertig av Västergötland (ca. 1930).jpg|thumb|The Duke of [[Västergötland]] in 1930.]]
A '''duchy''', also called a '''dukedom''', is a [[Middle Ages|medieval]] [[country]], territory, [[fiefdom|fief]], or domain ruled by a [[duke]] or [[duchess]], a high-ranking nobleman hierarchically second to the [[king]] or [[Queen regnant|queen]] in European tradition. The term is used almost exclusively in Europe.
A '''duchy''', also called a '''dukedom''', is a [[country]], territory, [[fiefdom|fief]], or domain ruled by a [[duke]] or [[duchess]], a ruler hierarchically second to the [[king]] or [[Queen regnant|queen]] in Western European tradition.


Throughout Europe there once existed an important difference between "sovereign dukes" and dukes subordinate to a king or emperor. Some historic duchies were sovereign in areas that would become part of nation-states only during the modern era, such as happened in Germany (once a federal empire) and Italy (previously a unified kingdom). In contrast, others were subordinate districts of those [[Kingdom (politics)|kingdoms]] that had unified either partially or completely during the medieval era, such as France, Spain, Sicily, Naples, and the Papal States.
There once existed an important difference between "sovereign dukes" and dukes who were ordinary noblemen throughout Europe. Some historic duchies were sovereign in areas that would become part of nation-states only during the modern era, such as happened in Germany (once a federal empire) and Italy (previously a unified kingdom). In contrast, others were subordinate districts of those [[Kingdom (politics)|kingdoms]] that had unified either partially or completely during the medieval era, such as France, Spain, Sicily, Naples, and the Papal States.


==Examples==
==Examples==
In France, a number of duchies existed in the medieval period including [[Duchy of Normandy|Normandy]], [[Duchy of Burgundy|Burgundy]], [[Brittany]], and [[Aquitaine]].
In France, several duchies existed in the medieval period, including [[Duchy of Normandy|Normandy]], [[Duchy of Burgundy|Burgundy]], [[Brittany]], and [[Aquitaine]].


The medieval German [[Stem duchy|stem duchies]] ({{lang-de|Stammesherzogtum}}, literally "tribal duchy", the official title of its ruler being ''[[Herzog]]'' or "duke") were associated with the [[Frankish Kingdom]] and corresponded with the areas of settlement of the major Germanic [[tribe]]s. They formed the nuclei of the major feudal states that comprised the early era of the [[Holy Roman Empire|Holy Roman Empire of the German nation]] (961-1806; in German: ''Heiliges Römisches Reich Deutscher Nation''). These were ''Schwaben'' (Swabia, mainly the present-day German state of Baden-Württemberg), ''Bayern'' (Bavaria), and ''Sachsen'' (Saxony) in pre-Carolingian times, to which ''Franken'' (Franconia, at present the northern part of the German state of Bavaria) and ''Lothringen'' (Lorraine, nowadays mostly part of France) were added in post-Carolingian times. As mentioned above, such a duke was styled ''Herzog'' (literally "the one who is leading [the troops]").
The medieval German [[Stem duchy|stem duchies]] ({{langx|de|Stammesherzogtum}}, literally "tribal duchy," the official title of its ruler being ''[[Herzog]]'' or "duke") were associated with the [[Frankish Kingdom]] and corresponded with the areas of settlement of the major Germanic [[tribe]]s. They formed the nuclei of the major feudal states that comprised the early era of the [[Holy Roman Empire|Holy Roman Empire of the German nation]] (961–1806; in German: ''Heiliges Römisches Reich Deutscher Nation''). These were ''Schwaben'' (Swabia, mainly the present-day German state of Baden-Württemberg), ''Bayern'' (Bavaria), and ''Sachsen'' (Saxony) in pre-Carolingian times, to which ''Franken'' (Franconia, at present the northern part of the German state of Bavaria) and ''Lothringen'' (Lorraine, nowadays mostly part of France) were added in post-Carolingian times. As mentioned above, such a duke was styled ''Herzog'' (literally "the one who is leading [the troops]").


In medieval England, duchies associated with the territories of [[Lancashire]] and [[Cornwall]] were created, with certain powers and estates of land accruing to their dukes. The [[Duchy of Lancaster]] was created in 1351 but became merged with the Crown when, in 1399, Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Lancaster, ascended the throne of England as [[Henry IV of England|Henry IV]]. Nowadays the Duchy of Lancaster always belongs to the sovereign and its revenue is the [[Privy Purse]]. The [[Duchy of Cornwall]] was created in 1337 and held successively by the Dukes of Cornwall, who were also heirs to the throne. Nowadays, the Duchy of Cornwall belongs to the sovereign's [[heir apparent]], if there is one: it reverts to the Crown in the absence of an heir apparent, and is automatically conferred to the heir apparent upon birth. These duchies today have mostly lost any non-ceremonial political role, but generate their holders' private income. During the Wars of the Roses, the Duke of York made a successful entry into the City of York, by merely claiming no harm and that it was his right to possess "his duchy of York".<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A1150417 The Second War of the Roses]</ref> Any and all feudal duchies that made up the patchwork of England have since been absorbed within the Royal Family. Other than Cornwall and Lancaster, British royal dukedoms are titular and do not include land holdings. Non-royal dukedoms are associated with ducal property, but this is meant as the duke's private property, with no other feudal privileges attached. At present all independent (i.e., sovereign) duchies have disappeared.
In medieval England, duchies associated with the territories of [[Lancashire]] and [[Cornwall]] were created, with certain powers and estates of land accruing to their dukes. The [[Duchy of Lancaster]] was created in 1351 but became merged with the Crown when, in 1399, Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Lancaster, ascended the throne of England as [[Henry IV of England|Henry IV]]. Nowadays, the Duchy of Lancaster always belongs to the sovereign and its revenue is the [[Privy Purse]]. The [[Duchy of Cornwall]] was created in 1337 and held successively by the Dukes of Cornwall, who were also heirs to the throne. Nowadays, the Duchy of Cornwall belongs to the sovereign's [[heir apparent]], if there is one: it reverts to the Crown in the absence of an heir apparent and is automatically conferred to the heir apparent upon birth. These duchies today have mostly lost any non-ceremonial political role, but generate their holders' private income. During the Wars of the Roses, the Duke of York made a successful entry into the City of York, by merely claiming no harm and that it was his right to possess "his duchy of York."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ltd|first=Not Panicking|title=h2g2 - The Second War of the Roses - Edited Entry|url=https://h2g2.com/edited_entry/A1150417|access-date=2021-11-28|website=h2g2.com|archive-date=2012-07-20|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720120330/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A1150417|url-status=dead}}</ref> Any feudal duchies that made up the patchwork of England have since been absorbed into the Royal Family. Other than Cornwall and Lancaster, British royal dukedoms are titular and do not include landholdings. Non-royal dukedoms are associated with ducal property, but this is meant as the duke's private property, with no other feudal privileges attached. At present, all independent (i.e., [[Westphalian sovereignty|sovereign]]) duchies have disappeared.


==List of duchies==
==List of duchies==
===Baltic States===
===Baltic provinces and governorates===


* [[Duchy of Courland and Semigallia]]
* [[Duchy of Courland and Semigallia]]
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* [[Duchy of Livonia]]
* [[Duchy of Livonia]]
* [[United Baltic Duchy]]
* [[United Baltic Duchy]]
⚫
* [[Duchy of Lithuania]]
⚫
* [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania]]


===Croatia===
===Croatia===
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* [[Duchy of Schleswig]]
* [[Duchy of Schleswig]]
* [[Duchy of Holstein]] (formally part of the Holy Roman Empire)
* [[Duchy of Holstein]] (formerly part of the Holy Roman Empire)


===England===
===England===
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* [[Duke of Brittany|Duchy of Brittany]]
* [[Duke of Brittany|Duchy of Brittany]]
* [[Duke of Burgundy|Duchy of Burgundy]]
* [[Duke of Burgundy|Duchy of Burgundy]]
*[[Duchy of Gascony]]
*[[Duchy of Guyenne]]
* [[Duchy of Normandy]]
* [[Duchy of Normandy]]
* [[Duke of Orléans|Duchy of Orléans]]
* [[Duke of Orléans|Duchy of Orléans]]
* Duchy of Lorraine
* [[Duchy of Lorraine]]


=== Georgia ===
=== Georgia ===
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{{further|List of dukes in Europe|Stem duchy}}
{{further|List of dukes in Europe|Stem duchy}}


* [[Duchy of Alsace]] (in English also ‘Alsatia’)
* [[Duchy of Alsace]] (in English also 'Alsatia')
* [[Duchy of Austria]] (later Archduchy of Austria, in German: ''Erzherzogtum Österreich'')
* [[Duchy of Austria]] (later Archduchy of Austria, in German: ''Erzherzogtum Österreich'')
* [[Duchy of Bavaria]]
* [[Duchy of Bavaria]]
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* [[Duchy of Gelders]]
* [[Duchy of Gelders]]
* [[Duchy of Holstein]]
* [[Duchy of Holstein]]
* [[Duchy of Jülich]]
* [[Duchy of Lauenburg]]
* [[Duchy of Lauenburg]]
* [[Duchy of Limburg]]
* [[Duchy of Limburg]]
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* [[Duchy of Mecklenburg]]
* [[Duchy of Mecklenburg]]
* [[Duchy of Oldenburg]]
* [[Duchy of Oldenburg]]
* [[Palatine Zweibrücken|Duchy of Palatinate-Zweibrücken]]
* [[Duchy of Pomerania]]
* [[Duchy of Pomerania]]
* [[Duchy of Salzburg]]
* [[Duchy of Salzburg]]
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* [[Duchy of Württemberg]]
* [[Duchy of Württemberg]]


The following duchies were part of the medieval Kingdom of Italy (not to be confused with the modern Kingdom of Italy (1860-1945)), which itself was part of the Holy Roman Empire:
The following duchies were part of the medieval Kingdom of Italy, which itself was part of the Holy Roman Empire:


* [[Duchy of Milan]]
* [[Duchy of Milan]]
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*[[Duchy of Montferrat]]
*[[Duchy of Montferrat]]
*[[Duchy of Guastalla]]
*[[Duchy of Guastalla]]
*[[List of Dukes of Modena|Duchy of Modena and Reggio]]
*[[Duchy of Modena and Reggio]]
*[[Duchy of Mirandola]]
*[[Duchy of Mirandola]]
*[[Duchy of Massa and Carrara]]
*[[Duchy of Massa and Carrara]]
Line 117: Line 123:


*[[Duchy of Ferrara]]
*[[Duchy of Ferrara]]
*[[Duke of Romagna|Duchy of Romagna]]
*[[Duchy of Urbino]]
*[[Duchy of Urbino]]
*[[Duchy of Camerino]]
*[[Duchy of Camerino]]
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===Sweden===
===Sweden===


All [[provinces of Sweden]] have the right to have a ducal coronet in their arms.<ref>Clara Nevéus in ''Ny svensk vapenbok'' 1992 Streiffert & Riksarkivet, Stockholm {{ISBN|91-7886-092-X}} p. 17</ref><ref>[http://heraldik.se/artiklar/allmant-om-heraldik/vad-ar-heraldik/] Heraldiska föreningen "Heraldik är läran om vapensköldar" by Martin Trägen</ref> The king gives princes and princesses ducal titles ''of'' them. The current such royal duchies are:
All [[provinces of Sweden]] have the right to have a ducal coronet in their arms.<ref>Clara Nevéus in ''Ny svensk vapenbok'' 1992 Streiffert & Riksarkivet, Stockholm {{ISBN|91-7886-092-X}} p. 17</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Vad är heraldik?|url=https://heraldik.se/artiklar/allmant-om-heraldik/vad-ar-heraldik/|access-date=2021-11-28|website=Heraldik|language=sv-SE}}</ref> The king gives princes and princesses ducal titles ''of'' them. The current such royal duchies are:
*[[Västergötland]]
*[[Västergötland]]
*[[Värmland]]
*[[Värmland]]
Line 149: Line 156:
*[[Blekinge]]
*[[Blekinge]]
*[[Halland]]
*[[Halland]]
*[[Uppland]]


===Crusader states===
⚫
===Other current or historical duchies===
* [[Duchy of Athens]]
* [[Duchy of the Archipelago]]
* [[Duchy of Neopatras]]
* [[Duchy of Philippopolis]]


⚫
===Other current or historical duchies===
* [[Duke of the Franks|Duchy of the Franks]]
* [[Duke of the Franks|Duchy of the Franks]]
* [[Pannonian Slavs#Principality|Duchy of Lower Pannonia]]
* [[Pannonian Slavs#Principality|Duchy of Lower Pannonia]]
Line 157: Line 170:
* [[Duchy of Limburg]]
* [[Duchy of Limburg]]
* [[Duchy of Livonia]]
* [[Duchy of Livonia]]
⚫
* [[Duchy of Saint Sava]]
* [[Duchy of Vasconia]]
* [[Duchy of Vasconia]]
⚫
* [[Duchy of Athens]]
* [[Pakualaman|Duchy of Pakualaman]]
* [[Pakualaman|Duchy of Pakualaman]]
* [[Mangkunegaran Palace|Duchy of Mangkunegaran]]
* [[Mangkunegaran Palace|Duchy of Mangkunegaran]]
Line 177: Line 188:
* [[Duchy of Grand Fenwick]]
* [[Duchy of Grand Fenwick]]
* [[Borogravia]], [[Quirm]] (from the [[Discworld]] series)
* [[Borogravia]], [[Quirm]] (from the [[Discworld]] series)
*Duchy of Sto Helit, in the kingdom of Sto Lat (from the Discworld series)
* [[The Six Duchies]] (from [[The Farseer Trilogy]] and [[Tawny Man Trilogy]] by [[Robin Hobb]])
* [[The Six Duchies]] (from [[The Farseer Trilogy]] and [[Tawny Man Trilogy]] by [[Robin Hobb]])
* [[Zeon]] (from the [[Mobile Suit Gundam]] series, also sometimes translated as a [[Principality]], as the Japanese language does not distinguish between the two)
* [[Zeon]] (from the [[Mobile Suit Gundam]] series, also sometimes translated as a [[Principality]], as the Japanese language does not distinguish between the two)
Line 189: Line 201:
*Duchy of Serkonos, from ''[[Dishonored 2]]''
*Duchy of Serkonos, from ''[[Dishonored 2]]''
*[[Duchy of Urnst]], from the ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' [[Greyhawk]] Campaign Setting.
*[[Duchy of Urnst]], from the ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' [[Greyhawk]] Campaign Setting.
*Duchy of Bewcastle [Duke of Bewcastle] from Slightly Series (esp. Slightly Dangerous) by Mary Balough



==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Monarchy]]
[[Category:Monarchy]]
[[Category:Types of administrative division]]
[[Category:Types of administrative division]]
[[Category:Dukedoms| ]]
[[Category:Former duchies| ]]

Latest revision as of 03:07, 7 November 2024

Not to be confused with Grand duchy.
The Duke of Västergötland in 1930.

A duchy, also called a dukedom, is a country, territory, fief, or domain ruled by a duke or duchess, a ruler hierarchically second to the king or queen in Western European tradition.

There once existed an important difference between "sovereign dukes" and dukes who were ordinary noblemen throughout Europe. Some historic duchies were sovereign in areas that would become part of nation-states only during the modern era, such as happened in Germany (once a federal empire) and Italy (previously a unified kingdom). In contrast, others were subordinate districts of those kingdoms that had unified either partially or completely during the medieval era, such as France, Spain, Sicily, Naples, and the Papal States.

Examples

[edit]

In France, several duchies existed in the medieval period, including Normandy, Burgundy, Brittany, and Aquitaine.

The medieval German stem duchies (German: Stammesherzogtum, literally "tribal duchy," the official title of its ruler being Herzog or "duke") were associated with the Frankish Kingdom and corresponded with the areas of settlement of the major Germanic tribes. They formed the nuclei of the major feudal states that comprised the early era of the Holy Roman Empire of the German nation (961–1806; in German: Heiliges Römisches Reich Deutscher Nation). These were Schwaben (Swabia, mainly the present-day German state of Baden-Württemberg), Bayern (Bavaria), and Sachsen (Saxony) in pre-Carolingian times, to which Franken (Franconia, at present the northern part of the German state of Bavaria) and Lothringen (Lorraine, nowadays mostly part of France) were added in post-Carolingian times. As mentioned above, such a duke was styled Herzog (literally "the one who is leading [the troops]").

In medieval England, duchies associated with the territories of Lancashire and Cornwall were created, with certain powers and estates of land accruing to their dukes. The Duchy of Lancaster was created in 1351 but became merged with the Crown when, in 1399, Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Lancaster, ascended the throne of England as Henry IV. Nowadays, the Duchy of Lancaster always belongs to the sovereign and its revenue is the Privy Purse. The Duchy of Cornwall was created in 1337 and held successively by the Dukes of Cornwall, who were also heirs to the throne. Nowadays, the Duchy of Cornwall belongs to the sovereign's heir apparent, if there is one: it reverts to the Crown in the absence of an heir apparent and is automatically conferred to the heir apparent upon birth. These duchies today have mostly lost any non-ceremonial political role, but generate their holders' private income. During the Wars of the Roses, the Duke of York made a successful entry into the City of York, by merely claiming no harm and that it was his right to possess "his duchy of York."[1] Any feudal duchies that made up the patchwork of England have since been absorbed into the Royal Family. Other than Cornwall and Lancaster, British royal dukedoms are titular and do not include landholdings. Non-royal dukedoms are associated with ducal property, but this is meant as the duke's private property, with no other feudal privileges attached. At present, all independent (i.e., sovereign) duchies have disappeared.

List of duchies

[edit]

Baltic provinces and governorates

[edit]

Croatia

[edit]

Denmark

[edit]

England

[edit]
Main article: Duchies in England

France

[edit]

Georgia

[edit]

Holy Roman Empire

[edit]
Further information: List of dukes in Europe and Stem duchy

The following duchies were part of the medieval Kingdom of Italy, which itself was part of the Holy Roman Empire:

Naples

[edit]

Papal States (Holy See)

[edit]

Poland

[edit]

Slovakia

[edit]

Spain

[edit]

Sweden

[edit]

All provinces of Sweden have the right to have a ducal coronet in their arms.[2][3] The king gives princes and princesses ducal titles of them. The current such royal duchies are:

Crusader states

[edit]

Other current or historical duchies

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Fictional duchies

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ltd, Not Panicking. "h2g2 - The Second War of the Roses - Edited Entry". h2g2.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-20. Retrieved 2021-11-28.
  2. ^ Clara Nevéus in Ny svensk vapenbok 1992 Streiffert & Riksarkivet, Stockholm ISBN 91-7886-092-X p. 17
  3. ^ "Vad är heraldik?". Heraldik (in Swedish). Retrieved 2021-11-28.
[edit]
Look up duchy in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
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