Dynastic union

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Dynastic union refers to the union of two titles or rulerships in one ruler or titleholder. That is, the titles have not merged, the realms have not merged, but the same person holds each. Thus, the union is dynastic, or of a dynasty, family, not political. Examples include the union of vassal states to their suzerains when the suzerain inherits by natural right, this was not uncommon in feudal times. Other unions are of equals, the most obvious example may be the union of Scotland and England which evolved into a political union, the United Kingdom. In most cases, a dynastic union is also a personal union.

Other examples are:

The Kingdom of England and the Duchy of Normandy in 1066 under William the Conqueror
The Kingdom of Aragón and the County of Barcelona in 1137 under Ramon Berenguer IV
The union of the Duchy of Burgundy (vassal) and the Kingdom of France (suzerain) for a brief spell (1029-1032) when Henry I succeeded to the French throne
The Crown of Castile and the Crown of Aragon in 1479 when Ferdinand the Catholic, already king of Aragon, by means of marriage, became king of Castile as well.

Dynastic union can also refer to the union of several realms or titles within a family, but not within a person. The Jiménez control over all Christian Spain save the County of Barcelona was an example of this (1037-1126). The union of Hungary and Naples under their Angevin rulers is another example.