# Duke

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Duke
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Duke.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke
> Source revision: 1353480948
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Monarchy and nobility title

Several terms  redirect here. For other uses, see [Duke (disambiguation)](/source/Duke_(disambiguation)), [Dukes (disambiguation)](/source/Dukes_(disambiguation)), [Duchess (disambiguation)](/source/Duchess_(disambiguation)), [Ducal (cigarette)](/source/Ducal_(cigarette)), and [Partitioned-off duke](/source/Partitioned-off_duke).

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages) This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Duke" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (April 2026) (Learn how and when to remove this message) This article may contain original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed. (April 2026) (Learn how and when to remove this message) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Part of a series on Imperial, royal, noble, gentry and chivalric ranks in Europe Emperor, Empress dowager High king, High queen Great king, Great queen King consort dowager Queen regnant consort dowager mother Archduke, Archduchess Grand duke, Grand duchess Grand prince, Grand princess Prince consort Princess consort Duke, Duchess Knyaz, Knyaginya Fürst, Fürstin Herzog Jarl Prince-elector, Princess-elector Heir apparent presumptive Voivode Count palatine Marquess, Marchioness Margrave, Margravine Marcher lord Landgrave Boyar Count, Countess Earl Mormaer Ealdorman Viscount, Viscountess Castellan Burgrave, Burgravine Captal Vidame Starosta Baron, Baroness Lord of Parliament Lord paramount Overlord Tenant in chief Territorial lord Liege lord Mesne lord Lendmann Nobile Edler Primor Fidalgo Baronet, Baronetess Vavasour Imperial knight Knight/Chevalier Ritter Seigneur Knight bachelor Thane Druzhinnik Lord of the manor Vogt Esquire Gentleman, Gentlewoman Franklin Yeoman Man at arms Edelfrei Ministerialis v t e

**Duke** is a male title either of a monarch ruling over a [duchy](/source/Duchy), or of a member of [royalty](/source/Royal_family), or [nobility](/source/Nobility). As rulers, dukes are ranked below [emperors](/source/Emperor), [kings](/source/King), [grand princes](/source/Grand_prince), [grand dukes](/source/Grand_duke), and above sovereign princes. As royalty or nobility, they are ranked below grand dukes and above or below princes, depending on the country or specific title. The title comes from French *duc*, itself from the Latin *[dux](/source/Dux)*, 'leader', a term used in [republican Rome](/source/Republican_Rome) to refer to a military commander without an official rank, and later coming to mean the leading military commander of a province. In most countries, the word ***duchess*** is the female equivalent.

A portrait of [James Brydges, 1st Duke of Chandos](/source/James_Brydges%2C_1st_Duke_of_Chandos) wearing the [robes of the British peerage](/source/Robes_of_the_British_peerage).

Following the reforms of the emperor [Diocletian](/source/Diocletian) (which separated the civilian and military administrations of the Roman provinces), a *dux* became the military commander in each province. The title *dux*, Hellenised to *doux*, survived in the [Eastern Roman Empire](/source/Eastern_Roman_Empire) where it continued in several contexts, signifying a rank equivalent to a captain or general. Later on, in the 11th century, the title *[Megas Doux](/source/Megas_Doux)* was introduced for the post of commander-in-chief of the entire navy.

During the [Middle Ages](/source/Middle_Ages), the title (as *[Herzog](/source/Herzog)*) signified first among the [Germanic monarchies](/source/Germanic_monarchy). Dukes were the rulers of the provinces and the superiors of the [counts](/source/Count) in the cities and later, in the [feudal monarchies](/source/Feudal_monarchies), the highest-ranking peers of the king. A duke may or may not be, *[ipso facto](/source/Ipso_facto)*, a member of the nation's [peerage](/source/Peerage): in the United Kingdom and Spain, all dukes are/were also peers of the realm, in France, some were and some were not, while the term is not applicable to dukedoms of other nations, even where an institution similar to the peerage (e.g. [Grandeeship](/source/Grandee), [Imperial Diet](/source/Imperial_Diet_(Holy_Roman_Empire)), [Hungarian House of Magnates](/source/Upper_nobility_(Kingdom_of_Hungary))) existed.

During the 19th century, many of the smaller German and Italian states were ruled by dukes or grand dukes. But at present, with the exception of the [Grand Duchy of Luxembourg](/source/Luxembourg), there are no dukes ruling as monarchs. Duke remains the highest hereditary title (aside from titles borne by a reigning or [formerly reigning](/source/Abolished_monarchy) dynasty) in Portugal (though now a republic), Spain, and the United Kingdom. In Sweden, members of the royal family are given a personal dukedom at birth. The Pope, as a temporal sovereign, has also, though rarely, granted the title of duke or duchess to persons for services to the [Holy See](/source/Holy_See). In some realms the relative status of "duke" and "prince", as titles borne by the [nobility](/source/Nobility) rather than by members of reigning dynasties, varied—e.g., in Italy and Germany.

A woman who holds in her own right the title to such duchy or dukedom, or is married to a duke, is normally styled duchess. [Queen Elizabeth II](/source/Elizabeth_II), however, was known by tradition as [Duke of Normandy](/source/Dukes_of_Normandy) in the [Channel Islands](/source/Channel_Islands) and [Duke of Lancaster](/source/Duke_of_Lancaster) in Lancashire.

## Duchy and dukedom

Main article: [Duchy](/source/Duchy)

A duchy is the territory or geopolitical entity ruled by a duke, whereas his title or area is often called a dukedom. The [Grand Duchy of Luxembourg](/source/Grand_Duchy_of_Luxembourg) is a fully independent state and its head, the Grand Duke, is a sovereign monarch reigning over his Luxembourgish subjects.

The [Duke of Cornwall](/source/Duke_of_Cornwall) holds both the dukedom (title) and duchy (estate holdings), the latter being the source of his personal income; those living on the ducal estates are subjects of the British sovereign and owe neither fealty nor services to the duke *per se*.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] In Scotland, the male heir apparent to the British crown is always the [Duke of Rothesay](/source/Duke_of_Rothesay) as well, but this is a dukedom (title) without a duchy. Similarly, the British monarch rules and owns the [Duchy of Lancaster](/source/Duchy_of_Lancaster) as [Duke of Lancaster](/source/Duke_of_Lancaster), but it is held separately from the Crown, with the income of the duchy estates providing the sovereign's [Privy Purse](/source/Privy_Purse).

The Channel Islands are two of the three remaining [Crown Dependencies](/source/Crown_Dependencies), the last vestiges of the lands of the Duchy of Normandy. The Islanders in their loyal toast will say "Le Roi, notre Duc" (The King, Our Duke). Though the title was apparently renounced under the [Treaty of Paris](/source/Treaty_of_Paris_(1259)) in 1259, the Crown still maintains that the title is retained: "In 1106, William's youngest son Henry I seized the Duchy of Normandy from his brother Robert; since that time, the English sovereign has always held the title [Duke of Normandy](/source/Duke_of_Normandy)", and that "By 1205, England had lost most of its French lands, including Normandy. However, the Channel Islands, part of the lost Duchy, remained a self-governing possession of the English Crown. While the islands today retain autonomy in government, they owe allegiance to The King in his role as Duke of Normandy."[1]

## Middle Ages

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2026) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

During the [Middle Ages](/source/Middle_Ages), after Roman power in Western Europe collapsed, the title was still employed in the Germanic kingdoms, usually to refer to the rulers of old Roman provinces.

### Albania

The Venetians installed a "Duke of Durazzo" (today [Durrës](/source/Durr%C3%ABs)) during their [brief rule](/source/Duchy_of_Durazzo_(Republic_of_Venice)) over the city and its environs in 1205–1213.

In 1332, [Robert of Taranto](/source/Robert_of_Taranto) succeeded his father, [Philip](/source/Philip_I_of_Taranto). Robert's uncle, [John](/source/John%2C_Duke_of_Durazzo), did not wish to do him homage for the [Principality of Achaea](/source/Principality_of_Achaea), so Robert received Achaea from John in exchange for 5,000 ounces of gold and the rights to the diminished [Kingdom of Albania](/source/Kingdom_of_Albania_(medieval)). John took the style of [Duke of Durazzo](/source/Duchy_of_Durazzo_(Angevin)).

In 1368, Durazzo fell to [Karl Thopia](/source/Karl_Thopia), who was recognized by [Venice](/source/Republic_of_Venice) as *Prince of Albania*.

### Visigoths

The [Visigoths](/source/Visigoths) retained the Roman divisions of their kingdom in the [Iberian Peninsula](/source/Iberian_Peninsula) and it seems that dukes ruled over these areas.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] They were the most powerful landowners and, along with the bishops, elected the king, usually from their own midst. They were the military commanders and in this capacity often acted independently from the king, most notably in the latter period before the Muslim invasions.

The army was structured decimally with the highest unit, the [thiufa](/source/Thiufa), probably corresponding to about 1,000 people from each *civitas* (city district). The cities were commanded by counts, who were in turn answerable to the dukes, who called up the *thiufae* when necessary.

### Lombards

Main article: [Duke (Lombard)](/source/Duke_(Lombard))

When the [Lombards](/source/Lombards) entered Italy, the Latin chroniclers called their war leaders *duces* in the old fashion. These leaders eventually became the provincial rulers, each with a recognized seat of government. Though nominally loyal to the king, the concept of kingship was new to the Lombards and the dukes were highly independent, especially in central and southern Italy, where the [Duke of Spoleto](/source/Duke_of_Spoleto) and the [Duke of Benevento](/source/Duke_of_Benevento) were *de facto* sovereigns. In 575, when [Cleph](/source/Cleph) died, a period known as the [Rule of the Dukes](/source/Rule_of_the_Dukes), in which the dukes governed without a king, commenced. It lasted only a decade before the disunited magnates, to defend the kingdom from external attacks, elected a new king and even diminished their own duchies to provide him with a handsome royal [demesne](/source/Demesne).

The Lombard kings were usually drawn from the duke pool when the title was not hereditary. The dukes tried to make their own offices hereditary. Beneath them in the internal structure were the counts and [gastalds](/source/Gastald), a uniquely Lombard title initially referring to judicial functions, similar to a count's, in provincial regions.

### Franks

In the [Frankish kingdom](/source/Frankish_kingdom), duke was a title given to an official in temporary command over a group of counts, rather than over a fixed region.[2] Their functions were primarily military, and they led armed forces in times of war. Although their principal duties were military, dukes occasionally supervised counts, served in a judicial capacity, and acted as ambassadors.[3] Unlike in Roman times, dukes were ultimately considered superior in rank to counts. Dukes were typically Frankish, whereas counts were often Gallo-Roman.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Dukes met with the king every May to discuss policy for the upcoming year, in what was known as the Mayfield.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

In [Burgundy](/source/Duchy_of_Burgundy) and [Provence](/source/Duchy_of_Provence), the titles of [patrician](/source/Patrician_(post-Roman_Europe)) and [prefect](/source/Prefect) were commonly employed instead of duke, probably for historical reasons relating to the greater Romanization of those provinces. But the titles were basically equivalent.

In late [Merovingian](/source/Merovingian) Gaul, the [mayors of the palace](/source/Mayors_of_the_palace) of the [Arnulfing](/source/Arnulfing) clan began to use the title [*dux et princeps Francorum*](/source/Duke_of_the_Franks): 'duke and prince of the Franks'. In this title, *duke* implied supreme military control of the entire nation (*Francorum*, the Franks) and it was thus used until the end of the [Carolingian](/source/Carolingian) dynasty in France in 987.

### Holy Roman Empire

#### Stem duchies

The stem duchies were the constituent duchies of the kingdom of Germany at the time of the extinction of the Carolingian dynasty (the death of Louis the Child in 911) and the transitional period leading to the formation of the Holy Roman Empire later in the 10th century.

Further information: [Stem duchy](/source/Stem_duchy)

### England

Main article: [Dukes in the United Kingdom](/source/Dukes_in_the_United_Kingdom)

Part of a series on Peerages in the United Kingdom Ranks Duke / Duchess Marquess / Marchioness Earl / Countess Viscount / Viscountess Baron / Baroness (in Scotland, titled Lord / Lady of Parliament) Types Hereditary Life Representative Divisions England Scotland Great Britain Ireland United Kingdom Topics Nobility History Privileges Robes Courtesy titles (list) Forms of address Family seat Territorial designation Related Peerages Welsh Jacobite Australia Canada India House of Lords Politics portal United Kingdom portal v t e

#### Anglo-Saxon times

In Anglo-Saxon England, where the Roman political divisions were largely abandoned, the highest political rank beneath that of king was [ealdorman](/source/Ealdorman), and the first ealdormen were referred to as *duces* (the plural of the original Latin *dux*) in the chronicles. The title ealdorman was replaced by the [Danish](/source/Danish_language) *eorl* (later [earl](/source/Earl)) over time. After the [Norman conquest](/source/Norman_conquest_of_England), their power and regional jurisdiction was limited to that of the Norman [counts](/source/Count).[4]

#### Late medieval times

See also: [Duke of Lancaster](/source/Duke_of_Lancaster)

[Edward III of England](/source/Edward_III_of_England) created the first English dukedom by naming his eldest son [Edward, the Black Prince](/source/Edward%2C_the_Black_Prince), as [Duke of Cornwall](/source/Duke_of_Cornwall) in 1337. Upon the death of the Black Prince, the duchy of Cornwall passed to his nine-year-old son, who would eventually succeed his grandfather as [Richard II](/source/Richard_II_of_England).

The title of [Duke of Lancaster](/source/Duke_of_Lancaster) was created by Edward III in 1351 for [Henry of Grosmont](/source/Henry_of_Grosmont%2C_1st_Duke_of_Lancaster), but became extinct upon the duke's death in 1361. The following year, Edward III bestowed the title (2nd creation) on his fourth son, [John of Gaunt](/source/John_of_Gaunt%2C_1st_Duke_of_Lancaster), who was also married to the first duke's daughter. On the same day Edward III also created his second son, [Lionel of Antwerp](/source/Lionel_of_Antwerp%2C_1st_Duke_of_Clarence), as [Duke of Clarence](/source/Duke_of_Clarence).

All five of Edward III's surviving sons eventually became dukes. In 1385, ten years after their father's death, his heir Richard II created dukedoms for his last two uncles on the same day. [Thomas of Woodstock](/source/Thomas_of_Woodstock%2C_1st_Duke_of_Gloucester) was named [Duke of Gloucester](/source/Duke_of_Gloucester) and [Edmund of Langley](/source/Edmund_of_Langley%2C_1st_Duke_of_York) became [Duke of York](/source/Duke_of_York), thereby founding the [House of York](/source/House_of_York), which later fought for the throne with John of Gaunt's [Lancastrian](/source/House_of_Lancaster) descendants during the [Wars of the Roses](/source/Wars_of_the_Roses).

By 1483, a total of 16 ducal titles had been created: Cornwall, Lancaster, Clarence, Gloucester, York, [Ireland](/source/Duke_of_Ireland), [Hereford](/source/Duke_of_Hereford), [Aumale](/source/Duke_of_Aumale), [Exeter](/source/Duke_of_Exeter), [Surrey](/source/Duke_of_Surrey), [Norfolk](/source/Duke_of_Norfolk), [Bedford](/source/Duke_of_Bedford), [Somerset](/source/Duke_of_Somerset), [Buckingham](/source/Duke_of_Buckingham), [Warwick](/source/Duke_of_Warwick) and [Suffolk](/source/Duke_of_Suffolk). Some became extinct, others had multiple creations, and some had merged with the crown upon the holder's accession to the throne. When the [Plantagenet](/source/Plantagenet) dynasty came to an end at the [Battle of Bosworth Field](/source/Battle_of_Bosworth_Field) on 22 August 1485, only four ducal titles remained extant, of which two were now permanently associated with the crown. [John de la Pole](/source/John_de_la_Pole%2C_2nd_Duke_of_Suffolk) was Duke of Suffolk and [John Howard](/source/John_Howard%2C_1st_Duke_of_Norfolk) was Duke of Norfolk (2nd creation), while the duchy of Cornwall was reserved as a title and source of income for the eldest son of the sovereign, and the duchy of Lancaster was now held by the monarch.

Norfolk perished alongside [Richard III](/source/Richard_III_of_England) at Bosworth field, and the title was forfeit. It was restored to his son [Thomas](/source/Thomas_Howard%2C_2nd_Duke_of_Norfolk) thirty years later by [Henry VIII](/source/Henry_VIII_of_England), as one of a number of dukes created or recreated by the [Tudor dynasty](/source/Tudor_dynasty) over the ensuing century. England's premier ducal title, Norfolk, remains in the Howard family to this day.

## Modern age

A Duke's [coronet](/source/Coronet) (United Kingdom), as used in [heraldry](/source/Heraldry)

In the 19th century, the sovereign dukes of [Parma](/source/Parma%2C_Italy) and [Modena](/source/Modena) in Italy, and of [Anhalt](/source/Anhalt), [Brunswick-Lüneburg](/source/Brunswick-L%C3%BCneburg), [Nassau](/source/Nassau_(state)), [Saxe-Coburg-Gotha](/source/Saxe-Coburg-Gotha), [Saxe-Meiningen](/source/Saxe-Meiningen) and [Saxe-Altenburg](/source/Saxe-Altenburg) in Germany survived Napoleon's reorganization.

Since the unification of Italy in 1870 and the end of monarchy in Germany and Austria in 1918, there have no longer been any [reigning](/source/Reign) dukes in Europe; [Luxembourg](/source/Luxembourg) is ruled by a [grand duke](/source/Grand_Duchy), a higher title, just below king.

In the United Kingdom, the inherited position of a duke along with its dignities, privileges, and rights is a [dukedom](/source/List_of_dukedoms_in_the_peerages_of_the_British_Isles). However, the title of *duke* has never been associated with independent rule in the British Isles: they hold dukedoms, not duchies (excepting the [Duchy of Cornwall](/source/Duchy_of_Cornwall) and the [Duchy of Lancaster](/source/Duchy_of_Lancaster)). Dukes in the United Kingdom are addressed as "Your Grace" and referred to as "His Grace". Currently, there are thirty-five dukedoms in the [Peerage of England](/source/Peerage_of_England), [Peerage of Scotland](/source/Peerage_of_Scotland), [Peerage of Great Britain](/source/Peerage_of_Great_Britain), [Peerage of Ireland](/source/Peerage_of_Ireland) and [Peerage of the United Kingdom](/source/Peerage_of_the_United_Kingdom), held by thirty different people, as three people hold two dukedoms and two hold three (see [List of dukes in the peerages of Britain and Ireland](/source/List_of_dukes_in_the_peerages_of_Britain_and_Ireland)).

All dukedoms in the UK apart from the Dukedom of Lancaster and the Dukedom of Edinburgh, which is held for life by the current duke, are inherited through the male line only, although dukedoms such as Marlborough and Fife (second creation) have passed through the female line for one generation under terms of a [special remainder](/source/Special_remainder) for lack of male heirs of the initial grantee. Henrietta, 2nd Duchess of Marlborough and Her Highness Princess Alexandra (HRH Princess Arthur of Connaught), 2nd Duchess of Fife were duchesses in their own right. Both were succeeded in their titles by nephews born by younger sisters of the duchesses. The word *duchess* is normally only used for the wife of a duke.

Dukes of Lancaster are called dukes even when they are female, and by tradition the monarch of the UK, whether male or female, is known in the Channel Islands as the Duke of Normandy.

## Royal dukes

"Royal duke" redirects here. For the South Korean car, see [Daewoo Royale Duke](/source/Daewoo_Royale_Duke).

Various royal houses traditionally awarded titles of nobility (mainly dukedoms) to the sons, and in some cases daughters, of their sovereigns; others include at least one dukedom in a wider list of similarly granted titles, nominal dukedoms without any actual authority, often even without an estate. Such titles are still conferred on royal princes or princesses in the current European monarchies of Belgium, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Other historical cases occurred for example in Denmark, Finland (as a part of Sweden) and France, Portugal and some former colonial possessions such as Brazil and Haiti.

### United Kingdom

Main articles: [Royal dukedoms in the United Kingdom](/source/Royal_dukedoms_in_the_United_Kingdom), [Dukes in the United Kingdom](/source/Dukes_in_the_United_Kingdom), [List of dukes in the peerages of Britain and Ireland](/source/List_of_dukes_in_the_peerages_of_Britain_and_Ireland), and [List of dukedoms in the peerages of Britain and Ireland](/source/List_of_dukedoms_in_the_peerages_of_Britain_and_Ireland)

In the United Kingdom, a **royal duke** is a duke who is a member of the [British royal family](/source/British_royal_family), entitled to the [style](/source/Royal_and_noble_styles) of "[His Royal Highness](/source/His_Royal_Highness)". Ducal titles which have been given within the royal family include [Duke of Cornwall](/source/Duke_of_Cornwall), [Duke of Lancaster](/source/Duke_of_Lancaster), [Duke of Clarence](/source/Duke_of_Clarence), [Duke of York](/source/Duke_of_York), [Duke of Gloucester](/source/Duke_of_Gloucester), [Duke of Bedford](/source/Duke_of_Bedford), [Duke of Cumberland](/source/Duke_of_Cumberland), [Duke of Cambridge](/source/Duke_of_Cambridge), [Duke of Rothesay](/source/Duke_of_Rothesay), [Duke of Albany](/source/Duke_of_Albany), [Duke of Ross](/source/Duke_of_Ross), [Duke of Edinburgh](/source/Duke_of_Edinburgh), [Duke of Kent](/source/Duke_of_Kent), [Duke of Sussex](/source/Duke_of_Sussex), and [Duke of Connaught and Strathearn](/source/Duke_of_Connaught_and_Strathearn). Following [his abdication](/source/Edward_VIII_abdication_crisis) in 1936 the former [King Edward VIII](/source/King_Edward_VIII) was given the title [Duke of Windsor](/source/Duke_of_Windsor).

There are also [non-royal dukedoms](/source/Non-royal_dukedoms) in the United Kingdom.

### Belgium

In Belgium, the title of [Duke of Brabant](/source/Duke_of_Brabant) (historically the most prestigious in the [Low Countries](/source/Low_Countries), and containing the federal capital [Brussels](/source/Brussels)) is awarded to the [heir apparent](/source/Heir_apparent) of the monarch, other dynasts receiving various lower historical titles (much older than Belgium, and in principle never fallen to the Belgian crown), such as [Count of Flanders](/source/Count_of_Flanders) ([King Leopold III](/source/King_Leopold_III)'s so-titled brother [Charles](/source/Prince_Charles%2C_Count_of_Flanders) held the title when he became the realm's temporary head of state as [prince-regent](/source/Prince-regent)) and Prince of Liège (a secularised version of the historical [prince-bishopric](/source/Prince-bishop); e.g. [King Albert II](/source/Albert_II_of_Belgium) until he succeeded his older brother [Baudouin I](/source/Baudouin_I)).

### Iberian peninsula

When the [Christian](/source/Christians) [Reconquista](/source/Reconquista), sweeping the [Moors](/source/Moors) from the former [Caliphate of Córdoba](/source/Caliph_of_Cordoba) and its [taifa-remnants](/source/Taifa), transformed the territory of former [Suevic](/source/Suebi) and [Visigothic](/source/Visigoths) realms into [Catholic](/source/Roman_Catholic_Church) [feudal](/source/Feudalism) principalities, none of these warlords was exactly styled duke. A few (as [Portugal itself](/source/County_of_Portugal)) started as count (even if the title of *dux* was sometimes added), but soon all politically relevant princes came to use the royal style of king.

#### Portugal

Main article: [List of dukedoms in Portugal](/source/List_of_dukedoms_in_Portugal)

In Portugal, the title of duke was granted for the first time in 1415 to [infante Peter](/source/Pedro%2C_Duke_of_Coimbra) and [infante Henry](/source/Henry_the_Navigator), the second and third sons of king [John I](/source/John_I_of_Portugal), following their participation in the successful [Conquest of Ceuta](/source/Conquest_of_Ceuta). Pedro became the first [Duke of Coimbra](/source/Duke_of_Coimbra) and Henry the first [Duke of Viseu](/source/Duke_of_Viseu).

From the reign of king [Manuel I](/source/Manuel_I_of_Portugal), the title of [Duke of Beja](/source/Duke_of_Beja) was given to the second son of the monarch. This was changed during the Liberal regime in the 19th century (with [Queen Maria II](/source/Maria_II_of_Portugal)), when the first infante (second son of the monarch) got the title of [Duke of Porto](/source/Duke_of_Porto) and the second infante (third son) was known as Duke of Beja.

There are examples of duke as a subsidiary title, granted to the most powerful noble houses:

- [Duke of Barcelos](/source/Duke_of_Barcelos), to be used by the heir of the [Duke of Braganza](/source/Duke_of_Braganza);

- [Duke of Torres Novas](/source/Duke_of_Torres_Novas), to be used by the heir of the [Duke of Aveiro](/source/Duke_of_Aveiro);

- [Duke of Miranda do Corvo](/source/Duke_of_Miranda_do_Corvo), to be used by the heir of the [Duke of Lafões](/source/Duke_of_Laf%C3%B5es).

Usually, the title of duke was granted to relatives of the royal family, such as the infantes or natural sons of the monarch. There are exceptions, such as [António José de Ávila](/source/Ant%C3%B3nio_Jos%C3%A9_de_%C3%81vila%2C_1st_Duke_of_%C3%81vila_and_Bolama), who, although not having any relation to the royal family, was given the title of [Duke of Ávila and Bolama](/source/Duke_of_%C3%81vila_and_Bolama) in the 19th century.

#### Spain

Main article: [List of dukedoms in Spain](/source/List_of_dukedoms_in_Spain)

Spanish infantes and infantas are usually given a royal dukedom upon marriage, excepting the heir apparent who is the [Prince of Asturias](/source/Prince_of_Asturias). Those titles are nowadays not hereditary but carry a [grandeeship of Spain](/source/Grandee). The current royal duchesses are [Infanta Margarita, Duchess of Soria](/source/Infanta_Margarita%2C_Duchess_of_Soria) (although she inherited the title of [Duchess of Hernani](/source/Duke_of_Hernani) from her cousin and is the second holder of the title), and [Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo](/source/Infanta_Elena%2C_Duchess_of_Lugo). In Spain all dukes hold the court rank of grandee, which has precedence over all other noble titles.

The last non-royal hereditary dukedom created was the title of [Duke of Suárez](/source/Duke_of_Su%C3%A1rez) in favour of former primer minister [Adolfo Suárez](/source/Adolfo_Su%C3%A1rez) in 1981. Since the accession of [King Felipe VI](/source/Felipe_VI) to the [throne](/source/Monarchy_of_Spain) in 2014, no new noble title has been created.[5][6]

### Nordic countries

In the 1260s [Birger Jarl](/source/Birger_Jarl) bore a ducal coronet and used the [Latin](/source/Latin) title of *Dux Sweorum* (Latin for "Duke of the Swedes"); the design of his coronet combined those used by continental European and English dukes.[7]

Bishop [Bengt Birgersson](/source/Bengt_Birgersson) (1254–1291) was the first [Duke of Finland](/source/Duke_of_Finland)[8]

The Northern European duchies of [Halland](/source/Halland), [Jutland](/source/Jutland), [Lolland](/source/Lolland), [Osilia](/source/Osilia) and [Reval](/source/Reval) existed in the Middle Ages. The longest-surviving duchy was [Schleswig](/source/Schleswig), i.e., *Sonderjylland* (a portion of which later became part of Germany). Its southern neighbor, the duchy of [Holstein](/source/Holstein), in personal union with the Danish crown, was nonetheless always a German principality. The two duchies jointly became a member of the German [*Bundesland*](/source/States_of_Germany) as "[Schleswig-Holstein](/source/Schleswig-Holstein)" in the 19th century.

#### Denmark

Beginning in the 11th century, Danish kings frequently awarded the title of *jarl* (earl) or duke of [Schleswig](/source/Duchy_of_Schleswig) to a younger son of the monarch. Short-lived dukedoms were created for the same purpose in [Lolland](/source/Lolland) and [Halland](/source/Halland).

After the accession to the throne of [Christian I](/source/Christian_I_of_Denmark), a complex system of appanages were created for male-line descendants of the king, being granted non-sovereign ducal titles in both Schleswig and [Holstein](/source/Duchy_of_Holstein), e.g. [Duke of Gottorp](/source/Duke_of_Gottorp), Duke of Sønderborg, [Duke of Augustenborg](/source/Duke_of_Augustenborg), Duke of Franzhagen, Duke of Beck, [Duke of Glücksburg](/source/Duke_of_Gl%C3%BCcksburg) and Duke of Nordborg. This arrangement occurred in both territories despite Schleswig being a fief of Denmark and Holstein being a fief of the [Holy Roman Empire](/source/Holy_Roman_Empire).

#### Finland

Key parts of Finland were sometimes under a Duke of Finland during the Swedish reign (until 1809). Some of the provinces are still considered duchies for the purposes of heraldry.

#### Norway

In Norway, [Skule Bårdsson](/source/Skule_B%C3%A5rdsson) was first *jarl* in 1217, and as such got responsibility for the army, and then in 1237, as another attempt at compromise, Skule was given the first Norwegian title of duke (*hertug*). There is no indication that those two titles meant the same thing, or was mixed. He was first *jarl*, and then also *hertug*, but after he became *hertug* he kept the title *jarl*.

#### Sweden

Further information: [Duchies in Sweden](/source/Duchies_in_Sweden)

Sweden has a history of making the sons of its kings ruling princes of vast duchies, but this ceased in 1622. Only one non-royal person was ever given a dukedom.

In 1772, King [Gustav III](/source/Gustav_III_of_Sweden) reinstated the appointment of titular dukes but as a non-hereditary title for his brothers. Since then, all Swedish princes have been created dukes of a province at birth. When the [1810 Act of Succession](/source/Act_of_Succession_(1810)) was amended to allow female succession to the throne, King [Carl XVI Gustaf](/source/Carl_XVI_Gustaf)'s eldest daughter [Victoria](/source/Crown_Princess_Victoria) became Crown Princess (displacing her younger brother [Carl Philip](/source/Prince_Carl_Philip%2C_Duke_of_V%C3%A4rmland)) and received the title of Duchess of Västergötland. The practice of conferring ducal titles has since extended to Swedish princesses as well as princes. Currently, there are five dukes and four duchesses in their own right. The territorial designations of these dukedoms refer to ten of the [Provinces of Sweden](/source/Provinces_of_Sweden).

## France

Main article: [Dukes in France](/source/Dukes_in_France)

See also: [Appanage § Original appanage: in France](/source/Appanage#Original_appanage:_in_France)

The highest precedence in the realm, attached to a feudal territory, was given to the twelve original [pairies](/source/Pairie) (en: *peers*), who also had a traditional function in the royal coronation, comparable to the German imperial archoffices.

Half of them were ducal: three ecclesiastical (the six prelates all ranked above the six secular peers of the realm) and three temporal, each time above three counts of the same social estate.

The *[Prince-Bishops](/source/Prince-Bishop)* with ducal territories among them were:

- The [Archbishop of Reims](/source/Archbishop_of_Reims), styled *archevêque-duc pair de France* (in Champagne; who crowns and anoints the king, traditionally in his cathedral)

- Two [suffragan bishops](/source/Suffragan_bishop), styled *evêque-duc pair de France* : - the bishop-duke of [Laon](/source/Laon) (in Picardy; bears the 'Sainte Ampoule' containing the sacred ointment) - the bishop-duc de [Langres](/source/Langres) (in Burgundy; bears the scepter)

Later, the [Archbishop of Paris](/source/Archbishop_of_Paris) was given the title of *[duc de Saint-Cloud](/source/Duc_de_Saint-Cloud)* with the dignity of peerage, but it was debated if he was an ecclesiastical peer or merely a bishop holding a lay peerage.

The secular dukes in the peerage of the realm were, again in order of precedence:

- The [Duke of Burgundy](/source/Duke_of_Burgundy) or *duc de Bourgogne* (known as *Grand duc*; not a separate title at that time; just a description of the wealth and real clout of the 15th-century dukes, cousins of the kings of France) (bears the crown, fastens the belt)

- The [Duke of Normandy](/source/Duke_of_Normandy) or *duc de Normandie*(holds the first square banner)

- The [Duke of Aquitaine](/source/Duke_of_Aquitaine) or *duc d'Aquitaine* or *de Guyenne* (holds the second square banner)

The theory of the participation of the peers in the coronation was laid down in the late 13th century, when some of the peerage (the Duchy of Normandy and the County of Toulouse) had already been merged in the crown.

At the end of this same century, the king elevated some counties into duchies, a practice that increased up until the Revolution. Many of these duchies were also peerages (the so-called 'new peerages').

## Italy, Germany and Austria

Main article: [Dukes in Italy, Germany and Austria](/source/Dukes_in_Italy%2C_Germany_and_Austria)

In Northern Italy, Germany and Austria the title of "duke" (*duca* in Italian, and *Herzog* in German) was quite common. As the [Holy Roman Empire](/source/Holy_Roman_Empire) (HRE) was until its dissolution a feudal structure, most of its Dukes were actually reigning in their lands. As the titles from the HRE were taken over after its dissolution, or in Northern Italy after their territories became independent of the Empire, both countries also had a share of fully sovereign dukes. Also, in Germany in many ducal families every agnate would bear the ducal title of the family as a [courtesy title](/source/Courtesy_title).

In Northern Italy some important sovereign ducal families were the [Visconti](/source/Visconti_of_Milan) and the [Sforza](/source/Sforza), who ruled [Milan](/source/Duchy_of_Milan); the [Savoy](/source/House_of_Savoy) in Piedmont; the [Medici](/source/Medici) of [Florence](/source/Florence); the [Farnese](/source/House_of_Farnese) of [Parma and Piacenza](/source/Duchy_of_Parma); the [Cybo-Malaspina](/source/Cybo) of [Massa](/source/Massa%2C_Tuscany); the [Gonzaga](/source/House_of_Gonzaga) of [Mantua](/source/Duchy_of_Mantua); the [Este](/source/House_of_Este) of [Modena](/source/Duchy_of_Modena_and_Reggio) and [Ferrara](/source/Duchy_of_Ferrara).[9]

In Germany, important ducal families were the [Wittelsbachs](/source/House_of_Wittelsbach) in [Bavaria](/source/Duchy_of_Bavaria), the [Welfs](/source/Welfs) in [Hannover](/source/Electorate_of_Hanover), the ducal family of [Cleves](/source/Duchy_of_Cleves), the [Wettins](/source/House_of_Wettin) in [Saxony](/source/Duchy_of_Saxony) (with its [Ernestine branch](/source/Ernestine_duchies) divided into several duchies), the [Württembergs](/source/List_of_rulers_of_W%C3%BCrttemberg) and the [Mecklenburgs](/source/House_of_Mecklenburg). In the German Confederation the [Nassaus](/source/House_of_Nassau), the [Ascanians](/source/House_of_Ascania) of [Anhalt](/source/Anhalt), the Welf branch of [Brunswick](/source/Duchy_of_Brunswick) and the Ernestine lines of the Saxon duchies were the sovereign ducal families.

In Austria, "[Archduke](/source/Archduke)" was the title borne from 1358 by the [Habsburg](/source/House_of_Habsburg) rulers of the [Archduchy of Austria](/source/Archduchy_of_Austria), and later by all senior members of that dynasty.

## Elsewhere in Europe

### Hungary

Main article: [Duchy (Kingdom of Hungary)](/source/Duchy_(Kingdom_of_Hungary))

In the [Kingdom of Hungary](/source/Kingdom_of_Hungary) no ducal principalities existed but duchies were often formed for members of the dynasty as [appanages](/source/Appanage). During the rule of the [Árpád dynasty](/source/Arpads) dukes held territorial powers, some of them even minted coins, but later this title became more often nominal. These duchies usually were

- the Duchy of Nitra

- the Duchy of Bihar

- the Duchy of [Transylvania](/source/Transylvania) (consisting of the [voivodship](/source/Voivodship) of Transylvania and some other counties)

In the Jagiellonian era (1490–1526) only two dukes did not belong to the royal dynasty: [John Corvin](/source/John_Corvin) (the illegitimate son of [Matthias Corvinus](/source/Matthias_Corvinus)) and [Lőrinc Újlaki](/source/Lawrence_of_Ilok) (whose father was the titular king of [Bosnia](/source/Bosnia_(region))), and both bore the title as royal dukes.

After the [Battle of Mohács](/source/Battle_of_Moh%C3%A1cs) the Habsburg kings rewarded Hungarian aristocrats (like the [Esterházys](/source/House_of_Esterh%C3%A1zy)) with princely titles, but they created these titles as Holy Roman Emperors, not as kings of Hungary.

### Greece

The Byzantines retained the title *dux*, transcribed as δούξ (*doux*) in [Medieval Greek](/source/Medieval_Greek). As in the later Roman Empire, it remained a military office and was not a feudal or hereditary rank. In the 10th century, it was given to the military commanders over several *[themata](/source/Theme_(Byzantine_district))* (also known as *[katepano](/source/Katepano)*), and in the late 11th century it became used for the governor of a *thema*.

When the Catholic crusaders overran the Byzantine Empire in the [Fourth Crusade](/source/Fourth_Crusade), they installed several [crusader states](/source/Crusader_state) (see [Frankokratia](/source/Frankokratia)), some of which were of ducal rank:

- the [Duchy of Athens](/source/Duchy_of_Athens), to which the [Duchy of Neopatras](/source/Duchy_of_Neopatras) was later linked

- the Aegean insular [Duchy of Naxos](/source/Duchy_of_Naxos), officially the "Duchy of the Archipelago"

- the [Venetian colony of Crete](/source/Venetian_Crete) (Candia) was initially ruled by the [Duke of Candia](/source/Duke_of_Candia)

In Italy and other western countries, the later Byzantine [appanages](/source/Appanage) of the [Palaiologan period](/source/Palaiologan_period) were sometimes translated as duchies: the [Morea](/source/Despotate_of_the_Morea), [Mesembria](/source/Mesembria), [Selymbria](/source/Selymbria) and [Thessaloniki](/source/Thessaloniki). The Greek rank of their holders, however, was that of *[despotes](/source/Despotes)*.

In the independent [Kingdom of Greece](/source/Kingdom_of_Greece_(Gl%C3%BCcksburg)), the style of [Duke of Sparta](/source/Duke_of_Sparta) was instituted in 1868 upon the birth of the future [Constantine I](/source/Constantine_I_of_Greece) as a distinct title for the [Crown Prince of Greece](/source/Crown_Prince_of_Greece).

### Slavic and nearby countries

Generally, confusion reigns whether to translate the usual ruler titles, *[knyaz](/source/Knyaz)/ knez/ książe* etc. as Prince (analogous to the German Fürst) or as Duke;

- In splintered [Poland](/source/Poland) petty principalities generally ruled by branches of the earlier Polish [Piast dynasty](/source/Piast_dynasty) are regarded as duchies in translated titulary. Examples of such: [Kujavia](/source/Kujavia), [Masovia](/source/Masovia), [Sandomir](/source/Sandomierz), [Greater Poland](/source/Greater_Poland) and [Kalisz](/source/Kalisz) as well as various minor duchies, often short-lived or in personal union or merger, named after their capitals, mainly in the regions known as [Little Poland](/source/Lesser_Poland) and [Greater Poland](/source/Greater_Poland), including (there are often also important Latin or German forms) [Kraków](/source/Krak%C3%B3w), [Łęczyca](/source/%C5%81%C4%99czyca) and [Sieradz](/source/Sieradz).

- In [Pomerelia](/source/Pomerelia) and [Pomerania](/source/Pomerania) (inhabited by the Kashubians, different Slavic people from the Poles proper), branches of native ruling dynasties were usually recognized as dukes, quite similarly to the pattern in Poland.

- In Russia, before the imperial unification from [Muscovy](/source/Grand_Duchy_of_Moscow); sometimes even as vassal, tributary to a Tartar [Khan](/source/Khan_(title)); later, in Peter the Great's autocratic empire, the russification **gertsog** was used as the Russian rendering of the German ducal title *Herzog*, especially as (the last) part of the full official style of the Russian Emperor: *Gertsog Shlesvig-Golstinskiy, Stormarnskiy, Ditmarsenskiy I Oldenburgskiy I prochaya, I prochaya, i prochaya* "Duke of Schleswig-Holstein [see above], [Stormarn](/source/Stormarn_(gau)), [Dithmarschen](/source/Dithmarschen) and Oldenburg, and of other lands", in chief of German and Danish territories to which the Tsar was dynastically linked.

- In Bohemia was [Duchy of Krumlov](/source/Duchy_of_Krumlov), and short-lived [Duchy of Reichstadt](/source/Napoleon_II_of_France) and [Duchy of Friedland](/source/Duchy_of_Friedland).

- In [Silesia](/source/Silesia) were many petty duchies as [Duchy of Brzeg](/source/Duchy_of_Brzeg), [Duchy of Legnica](/source/Duchy_of_Legnica), [Duchy of Zator](/source/Duchy_of_Zator) and [Duchy of Racibórz](/source/Duchy_of_Racib%C3%B3rz). They were vassals of [King of Bohemia](/source/List_of_rulers_of_Bohemia).

- In [Lithuania](/source/Lithuania), the approximate equivalent of a duke or prince was called *kunigaikštis* in the Lithuanian language. Latin translation was *dux* meaning "duke" in the Middle Ages, whereas Latin for "prince" is *princeps*. The overall leader of the Lithuanian dukes ([Lith.](/source/Lithuanian_language) plural: *kunigaikščiai*) was the [grand duke](/source/Grand_duke) ([Lith.](/source/Lithuanian_language): *didysis kunigaikštis*, [Latin](/source/Latin_language): *magnus dux*), who acted as the monarch of the [Grand Duchy of Lithuania](/source/Grand_Duchy_of_Lithuania) until 1795 when Russians took over the land.

### Netherlands

After Belgium and the Netherlands separated in 1830, the title of duke no longer existed in the Netherlands. There is, however, one exception; the title *Hertog van Limburg* (*Duke of Limburg*) still exists. This title, however, is an exclusive title for the head of state (the monarch, i.e., the king or queen of the Netherlands).

### Georgia

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

In Georgia, the title of *[eristavi](/source/Eristavi)* is equivalent to duke. The word means "head of the nation" or "head of the army". A duke ruled a duchy ([saeristavo](/source/Saeristavo)); a duke of two or more duchies was called *[eristavt-eristavi](/source/Eristavt-eristavi)*, duke of dukes.

In the 6th to 9th centuries, [Iberia](/source/Iberia) was ruled by [Erismtavari](/source/Erismtavari), a title similar to [grand duke](/source/Grand_duke). Erismtavari was the first among equal dukes.

Georgians use the title *eristavi* only for Georgian dukes. When talking about foreign dukes, they use the German word *Herzog*, which is the German equivalent of "duke".

In the late 15th and early 16th century, the kingdom of Georgia collapsed and most of the western Georgian dukes became princes. In the 19th century the title of *eristavi* was abolished by the Russian conquerors and the former dukes took the word *Eristavi* as their last names.

## Post-colonial non-European states

### Empire of Brazil

In the [Empire of Brazil](/source/Empire_of_Brazil) duke was the highest rank for people born outside the imperial house and only three dukedoms were created. Two of these titles were for relatives of [Emperor Pedro I](/source/Pedro_I_of_Brazil): an illegitimate daughter and a [brother-in-law](/source/Auguste_de_Beauharnais%2C_2nd_Duke_of_Leuchtenberg) who received the title when married to Pedro I's daughter [Maria II](/source/Maria_II_of_Portugal). The third, given to [Luís Alves de Lima e Silva](/source/Lu%C3%ADs_Alves_de_Lima_e_Silva%2C_Duke_of_Caxias), was the only dukedom created during the reign of [Pedro II](/source/Pedro_II_of_Brazil). None of these titles were hereditary, just like every other title in the Brazilian nobility system.

### Haiti

The royal [Christophe](/source/Henri_Christophe) dynasty created eight hereditary dukedoms, in rank directly below the nominal princes. They were short-lived and only recognized in the country.

## Analogues

Main articles: [Equivalents of Duke outside Europe](/source/Equivalents_of_Duke_outside_Europe) and [Ethiopian aristocratic and court titles](/source/Ethiopian_aristocratic_and_court_titles)

Like other major Western noble titles, Duke is sometimes used to render (translate) certain titles in non-western languages. "Duke" is used even though those titles are generally etymologically and often historically unrelated and thus hard to compare. However, they are considered roughly equivalent, especially in hierarchic aristocracies such as feudal Japan, useful as an indication of relative rank.

### Indian Subcontinent

The [Indian feudal system](/source/Indian_feudalism) cannot be fully translated to its European counterparts. The closest equivalent to the title of Sovereign Duke is [Rao](/source/Rao_(title)) and [Nawab](/source/Nawab) to a feudal [duchy](/source/Duchy), a large [jagir](/source/Jagir). Thus, a Rao (in the ruling system) or a Jagirdar, Deshmukh, Patil, and Zamindar (in a feudal way) are closely equivalent to a Duke.

### Turkey, Afghanistan and Iran

*Duke* in Turkey, Afghanistan, and Iran after Mongolian war against them, was added as generals and kings of districts or states. In the Kingdom of Persians and Ottomans, the systems cannot be fully translated to its European counterparts so they called those generals and kings as [Khan](/source/Khan_(title)), a Mongolian royal and noble rank from the Turco-Mongol word for "lord", analogous to Duke. After revolutions and the falling Empire system in those countries (changing the ruling system to democratic and republic systems), those Khans and the other equal ranks titles added to the titleholder's surnames, and the ranking system, as usual, was disqualified as an official ranking.

### China

During the era of *[fengjian](/source/Fengjian)* in [Ancient China](/source/History_of_China#Ancient_China) ([Western Zhou](/source/Western_Zhou), [Spring and Autumn period](/source/Spring_and_Autumn_period) and the [Warring States period](/source/Warring_States_period)), the [title](/source/Zhou_dynasty_nobility) of *[gōng](/source/Gong_(title))* ([公](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E5%85%AC); sometimes translated as "Duke", sometimes as "Lord") was sparingly granted. Under the principle of "Three Deferences and Two Royal Descendants" (三恪二王後), the three former royal houses were granted the title of *gōng*; however, not all scholars recognize such a tradition in the Western Zhou dynasty. For that dynasty, this would be the descendants of the [Xia dynasty](/source/Xia_dynasty) and [Shang dynasty](/source/Shang_dynasty); their dukedoms were respectively [Qi](/source/Qi_(Henan)) (杞) and [Song](/source/Song_(state)) (宋). According to tradition, these states were considered the king's guests rather than subjects. However, recent scholarship has identified multiple other meanings for *gōng*, including the patriarch of a lineage, a non-inheritable title signifying a very broad and senior position within the court, or a respectful appellation for any regional ruler or deceased ancestor.[10]

In works like *[Mencius](/source/Mencius_(book))*[11]: 106 and others that date to the [Warring States period](/source/Warring_States_period), *gōng* was interpreted as the highest in the "five ranks of nobles" ([五等爵](https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BA%94%E7%AD%89%E7%88%B5)) attributed to the Western Zhou dynasty.[12] However, the title was not in use until the end of the Western Han,[11]: 126 granted to the descendants of the [Shang](/source/Shang_dynasty) and Zhou royal houses and the eventual usurper [Wang Mang](/source/Wang_Mang). It was also granted to [Cao Cao](/source/Cao_Cao).[13] The title during the Han was inferior to that of prince (諸侯王), which was only available to imperial princes. The "five ranks of nobles" were implemented as such during the [Jin dynasty](/source/Jin_dynasty_(266%E2%80%93420)) (晉朝).[11]: 127 During the [Southern dynasties](/source/Southern_dynasties), usurpers typically sought the title of duke, then prince, before compelling the monarch to abdicate.

The [Duke of Yansheng](/source/Duke_of_Yansheng) noble title was granted to the descendants of [Confucius](/source/Confucius). In 1935, the [Nationalist](/source/Kuomintang) Government changed the title to Sacrificial Official to Confucius (大成至聖先師奉祀官), which still exists as a hereditary office of the [Republic of China](/source/Republic_of_China).

The title *gōng* and others were also awarded, sometimes [posthumously](/source/Posthumous_names), during the imperial period of [Chinese history](/source/Chinese_history) to recognize distinguished civil and military officials. These could include a taxable base for the official, or could be purely honorary. For example, [Emperor Lizong of Song](/source/Emperor_Lizong_of_Song) granted the posthumous title Duke of Hui (徽國公) to the [Neo-Confucian](/source/Neo-Confucian) thinker [Zhu Xi](/source/Zhu_Xi).[14]

### Indonesia

The Javanese kingdom of [Majapahit](/source/Majapahit), which dominated eastern Java in the 14th and 15th centuries, was divided into *nagara* (provinces). The administration of these *nagara* was entrusted to members of the royal family, who bore the title of *Bhre*—i.e., *Bhra I*, "lord of" (the word *bhra* being akin to the [Thai](/source/Thai_language) *[Phra](/source/Thai_nobility)*), followed by the name of the land they were entrusted with: for example, a sister of the king [Hayam Wuruk](/source/Hayam_Wuruk) (r. 1350–1389) was "Bhre Lasem", "lady of [Lasem](/source/Lasem)". This system was similar to the [Apanage](/source/Apanage) system in Western Europe.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

[Sultan Agung](/source/Sultan_Agung), king of [Mataram](/source/Mataram_Sultanate) in [Central Java](/source/Central_Java) (r. 1613–1645), would entrust the administration of territories he gradually conquered all over the island of Java, to officials bearing the title of *Adipati*, this title is hereditary. Such territories were called *Kadipaten*. Prior to the unification of Java by Sultan Agung, independent *kadipaten*s also exist, e.g. the [Duchy of Surabaya](/source/Duchy_of_Surabaya) which was [conquered](/source/Mataram_conquest_of_Surabaya) by Agung in 1625.

The [VOC](/source/Dutch_East_India_Company) (Dutch East Indies Company), while gradually taking control of Javanese territory, would maintain the existing Mataram administrative structure. *Adipati* were called "*[regenten](/source/Regent)*" in Dutch,[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] and the territories they administered, "*[regentschappen](/source/List_of_regencies_and_cities_of_Indonesia)*".

In the 19th century, the Javanese term for 'regent' was *bupati*. French traveller Gérard Louis Domeny de Rienzi mentions *bapati*.[15]

The *bupati* have been maintained in the modern Indonesian administrative subdivision structure, heading a *[kabupaten](/source/Regency_(Indonesia))*, the subdivision of a *[provinsi](/source/Provinces_of_Indonesia)* or province.

The word *Adipati* is still found in the official title of the hereditary dukes [Mangkunegara](/source/Mangkunegaran_Palace) of [Surakarta](/source/Surakarta) and [Paku Alam](/source/Pakualaman) of [Yogyakarta](/source/Yogyakarta)—i.e., *Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Adipati Arya* (shortened into KGPAA).

### Nigeria

In the [Kingdom of Benin](/source/Kingdom_of_Benin), a [viceroyal](/source/Viceroyal) [chieftain](/source/Nigerian_chieftaincy) that is known as an *Enogie* in the [Edo language](/source/Edo_language) is usually referred to as a duke in English. Often a cadet of the dynasty that produces the [oba of Benin](/source/Oba_of_Benin), the enogie is expected to rule his domain as he sees fit, subject to the approval of the oba.

In [Ife](/source/Ife), [Oyo](/source/Oyo_Empire) and the other kingdoms of Nigerian [Yorubaland](/source/Yorubaland), a viceroyal chieftain is known as a *[Baale](/source/Baale_(title))* in the [Yoruba language](/source/Yoruba_language). He is barred from wearing a crown as a matter of tradition and is generally seen as the reigning representative of his [oba](/source/Oba_(ruler)), the monarch who has the right to wear one.

### Myanmar

In Myanmar (Burma), since the [Pagan](/source/Bagan) era of 11th century, each and every single one of the royal family received the title of *Myosa* (also *Myoza*), literally means chief of town or territory, which is equivalent to the title of Duke. All royals were given the honor to possess at least one territory by the King. They all were mostly called by their possessions. For instance, Burma's last king, [King Thibaw](/source/King_Thibaw) was called by his possession, when he was a prince, of a town Thibaw (Hsipaw in [Shan State](/source/Shan_State)).[16]

## See also

- [Archduke](/source/Archduke)

- [Grand Duke](/source/Grand_Duke)

- Other titles derived from [Dux](/source/Dux) - [Doge](/source/Doge_(disambiguation)) - [Duce](/source/Duce) - [Megas doux](/source/Megas_doux)

- [Duchy](/source/Duchy) - [Duchies in Sweden](/source/Duchies_in_Sweden) - [Duchy of Amalfi](/source/Duchy_of_Amalfi) - [Duchy of Brittany](/source/Duchy_of_Brittany) - [Duchy of Gaeta](/source/Duchy_of_Gaeta) - [Duchy of Naples](/source/Duchy_of_Naples)

- [Grand Duchy](/source/Grand_Duchy)

- [Lists of dukes](/source/Lists_of_dukes)

- [List of fictional dukes and duchesses](/source/List_of_fictional_dukes_and_duchesses)

- The dictionary definition of [*Duke*](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Duke) at Wiktionary

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Channel Islands"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120921052748/http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/QueenandCrowndependencies/ChannelIslands.aspx). *The Official Website of the British Monarchy*. The Royal Household. 2009. Archived from [the original](http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/QueenandCrowndependencies/ChannelIslands.aspx) on 21 September 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** McKitterick, Rosamond (1983). *The Frankish Kingdoms Under the Carolingians, 751-987*. Harlow: Longman. p. 87. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-582-49005-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-582-49005-7).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Lewis, Archibald R. (July 1976). "The Dukes in the Regnum Francorum, A.D. 550–751". *Speculum*. **51** (3): 381–410. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2307/2851704](https://doi.org/10.2307%2F2851704).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Crouch, David (2002). [*The Normans: The History of a Dynasty*](https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781852855956/page/108). Bloomsbury Academic. pp. [108](https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781852855956/page/108). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1852855956](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1852855956).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Confidencial, Monarquía (4 November 2020). ["Felipe VI no ha concedido un solo título nobiliario en todo su reinado"](https://monarquia.elconfidencialdigital.com/articulo/espana/felipe-vi-ha-concedido-solo-titulo-nobiliario-todo-reinado/20201103200251043776.html). *Monarquía Confidencial* (in Spanish). Retrieved 23 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Ejerique, Raúl Sánchez, Raquel (17 September 2016). ["Felipe VI cierra el grifo de los condes, duques y marqueses"](https://www.eldiario.es/sociedad/felipe-vi-nobles-primeros-reinado_1_3846049.html). *elDiario.es* (in Spanish). Retrieved 23 March 2023.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_multiple_names:_authors_list))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Prof. Jan Svanberg in *Furstebilder från folkungatid* [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [91-85884-52-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/91-85884-52-9) pp. 104–106

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Heikinheimo, Ilmari (1955). *Suomen elämäkerrasto*. [Werner Söderström Osakeyhtiö](/source/Werner_S%C3%B6derstr%C3%B6m_Osakeyhti%C3%B6).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Simon, Kate. *A Renaissance Tapestry: The Gonzaga of Mantua*. Harper & Row.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Pines, Yuri (2020). "Names and Titles in Eastern Zhou Texts". *T'oung Pao*. **106** (5–6). Leiden: Brill: 716. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1163/15685322-10656P06](https://doi.org/10.1163%2F15685322-10656P06). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [234449375](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:234449375).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Li-2008_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Li-2008_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Li-2008_11-2) Li Feng (2008). "Transmitting Antiquity: The Origin and Paradigmization of the "Five Ranks"". In Dieter Kuhn; Helga Stahl (eds.). *Perceptions of Antiquity in Chinese Civilization*. Würzberg: Würzburger Sinologische Schriften. pp. 103–134.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Falkenhausen, Lothar von (1996). "The Concept of Wen in the Ancient Chinese Ancestral Cult". *Chinese Literature: Essays, Articles, Reviews*. **18**: 7. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2307/495623](https://doi.org/10.2307%2F495623). [JSTOR](/source/JSTOR_(identifier)) [495623](https://www.jstor.org/stable/495623).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [Chen Shou](/source/Chen_Shou) (1977) [429]. "[1: 武帝紀](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/zh:%E4%B8%89%E5%9C%8B%E5%BF%97/%E5%8D%B701)". In [Pei Songzhi](/source/Pei_Songzhi) (ed.). *[Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms](/source/Annotations_to_Records_of_the_Three_Kingdoms)* 三國志注. Taipei: Dingwen Printing. p. 37.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Chan, Wing-tsit (1989). [*Chu Hsi New Studies*](https://archive.org/details/chuhsinewstudies0000chan/page/34). University of Hawai`i Press. pp. [34](https://archive.org/details/chuhsinewstudies0000chan/page/34). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-8248-1201-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-8248-1201-0).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Grégoire Louis Domeny de Rienzi, *Océanie ou cinquième partie du monde : revue géographique et ethnographique de la Malaisie, de la Micronésie, de la Polynésie et de la Mélanésie, ainsi que ses nouvelles classifications et divisions de ces contrées*, Firmin Didot Frères, Paris, 1834

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** [*United States Congressional Serial Set*](https://books.google.com/books?id=2i08AQAAMAAJ&q=myosa+duke&pg=RA10-PA39). U.S. Government Printing Office. 1977. Murdoch, William Gordon Burn (1908). [*From Edinburgh to India & Burmah*](https://books.google.com/books?id=wxEPAAAAYAAJ&q=myosa+duke). G. Routledge & sons Limited. Center, Duke University Commonwealth-Studies (1966). [*Publication*](https://books.google.com/books?id=ARM8AAAAIAAJ&q=myosa+duke). Duke University Press. [*Mranʻ mā samuiṅʻʺ sutesana cā coṅʻ*](https://books.google.com/books?id=b_HPuuRb20kC&q=myosa+duke). Samuiṅʻʺ Sutesana nhaṅʻʹ ʼA myuiʺ sāʺ Cā kraññʻʹ Tuikʻ Ūʺ cīʺ Ṭhāna. 2001.

### General sources

- [Hodgkin, Thomas](/source/Thomas_Hodgkin_(historian)). *Italy and her Invaders*. Clarendon Press: 1895.

- Lewis, Archibald R. "The Dukes in the Regnum Francorum, A.D. 550–751". *Speculum*, Vol. 51, No 3 (July 1976), pp. 381–410.

- [Phillips, Walter Alison](/source/Walter_Alison_Phillips) (1911). ["Duke"](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Duke). *[Encyclopædia Britannica](/source/Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica_Eleventh_Edition)*. Vol. 8 (11th ed.). pp. 650–651.

- [Stenton, Sir Frank M.](/source/Frank_Stenton) *Anglo-Saxon England Third Edition*. Oxford University Press: 1971.

- Thompson, E. A. *The Goths in Spain*. Clarendon Press: Oxford, 1969.

Authority control databases International GND 2 National Czech Republic Other Yale LUX

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Duke](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.