Duke of Burgundy

For the butterfly, see Hamearis lucina. For the 2014 film, see The Duke of Burgundy.
Cross of Burgundy Flag

Duke of Burgundy (Fr.: duc de Bourgogne) was a title borne by the rulers of the Duchy of Burgundy, a small portion of traditional lands of Burgundians west of river Saône which in 843 was allotted to Charles the Bald's kingdom of West Franks. Under the Ancien Régime, the Duke of Burgundy was the premier lay peer of the kingdom of France.

Beginning with Robert II of France, the title was held by the Capetians, the French royal family. It was granted to Robert's younger son, Robert, who founded the House of Burgundy. When the senior line of the House of Burgundy became extinct, it was inherited by John II of France through proximity of blood. John granted the duchy as an appanage for his younger son, Philip the Bold. The Valois Dukes of Burgundy became dangerous rivals to the senior line of the House of Valois. When the male line of the Valois Dukes of Burgundy became extinct, it was confiscated by Louis XI of France.

Today, the title is used by the House of Bourbon as a revived courtesy title.

List of Dukes of Burgundy

Bosonid dynasty (880–956)

Main article: Bosonid dynasty
Coat of arms of the Duke of Burgundy (1430–1482)

The first margrave (marchio), later duke (dux), of Burgundy was Richard of the House of Ardennes, whose duchy was created from the merging of several regional counties of the kingdom of Provence which had belonged to his brother Boso.

His descendants and their relatives by marriage ruled the duchy until its annexation over a century later by the French crown, their suzerain.

Robertian dynasty (956–1004)

Main article: Robertian dynasty

House of Capet (1004–1032)

Main article: House of Capet

In 1004, Burgundy was annexed by the king, of the House of Capet. Otto William continued to rule what would come to be called the Free County of Burgundy. His descendants formed another House of Ivrea.

House of Burgundy (1032–1361)

Main article: House of Burgundy

Robert, son of Robert II of France, received the Duchy as a peace settlement, having disputed the succession to the throne of France with his brother Henry.

Picture Name Birth Became Duke Ruled until Death Notes
Robert I the Old
(Robert Ier le Vieux) 		1011 1032 21 March 1076 Younger son of Robert II of France.
Hugh I
(Hugues Ier) 		1057 21 March 1076 1079 29 August 1093 Eldest son of Henry of Burgundy, grandson of Robert I. Abdicated in favour of his younger brother, Odo.
Odo I Borel the Red
(Eudes Ier Borel le Roux) 		1058 1079 23 March 1103 Younger brother of Hugh I.
Hugh II
(Hugues II) 		1084 23 March 1103 1143 Son of Odo I
Odo II
(Eudes II) 		1118 1143 27 June/27 September 1162 Eldest son of Hugh II
Hugh III
(Hugues III) 		1142 27 June/27 September 1162 25 August 1192 Eldest son of Odo II
Odo III
(Eudes III) 		1166 25 August 1192 6 July 1218 Eldest son of Hugh III
Hugh IV
(Hugues IV) 		9 March 1213 6 July 1218 27 October 1271 Eldest son of Odo III
Robert II
(Robert II) 		1248 27 October 1271 21 March 1306 Eldest surviving son of Hugh IV.
Hugh V
(Hugues V) 		1282 21 March 1306 9 May 1315 Eldest son of Robert II.
Odo IV
(Eudes IV) 		1295 9 May 1315 3 April 1350 Younger brother of Hugh V.
Philip I of Rouvres
(Philippe Ier de Rouvres) 		1346 3 April 1350 21 November 1361 Grandson of Odo IV.

House of Valois-Burgundy (1361–1482)

John II of France, the second Valois king, successfully claimed the Duchy after the death of Philip, the last Capet duke. John then passed the duchy to his youngest son Philip as an apanage.

Picture Name Birth Became Duke Ruled until Death Notes Arms
Philip II the Bold
(Philippe II le Hardi) 		15 January 1342 6 September 1363 27 April 1404 Youngest son of John the Good
John I the Fearless
(Jean I sans Peur) 		28 May 1371 27 April 1404 10 September 1419 Eldest son of Philip the Bold
Philip III the Good
(Philippe III le Bon) 		31 July 1396 10 September 1419 15 June 1467 Eldest son of John the Fearless
Charles I the Bold
(Charles Ier le Téméraire) 		21 November 1433 15 June 1467 5 January 1477 Eldest son of Philip the Good
Mary the Rich 13 February 1457 5 January 1477 27 March 1482 Only daughter of Charles the Bold

House of Habsburg (1482–1700)

In 1477, the territory of the Duchy of Burgundy was annexed by France. In the same year, Mary married Maximilian, Archduke of Austria, giving the Habsburgs control of the remainder of the Burgundian Inheritance.

Although the territory of the Duchy of Burgundy itself remained in the hands of France, the Habsburgs remained in control of the title of Duke of Burgundy and the other parts of the Burgundian inheritance, notably the Low Countries and the Free County of Burgundy in the Holy Roman Empire. They often used the term Burgundy to refer to it (e.g. in the name of the Imperial Circle it was grouped into), until the late 18th century, when the Austrian Netherlands were lost to French Republic. The Habsburgs also continued to claim Burgundy proper until the Treaty of Cambrai in 1529, when they surrendered their claim in exchange for French recognition of Imperial sovereignty over Flanders and Artois.

Picture Name Birth Became Duke Ruled until Death Notes Arms
Philip IV the Handsome
(Philippe IV le Bel) 		22 July 1478 22 February 1482 25 September 1506 Eldest son of Duchess Mary by Maximilian of Habsburg
Charles II 24 February 1500 25 September 1506 16 January 1556 21 September 1558 Eldest son of Philip the Handsome. Also Charles I of Aragon and Castile, and Holy Roman Emperor Charles V

House of Bourbon, claimants of the title (1700–13)

The title was briefly claimed by king Philip V of Spain (Philip VIII) of the House of Bourbon between 1700–1713 when the succession of the Spanish throne was disputed between the Houses of Habsburg and Bourbon.

At the same time, various members of the French royal family, most notably Louis, Dauphin of France, the father of Louis XV of France, also used the title.

House of Habsburg (1713–95)

House of Bourbon, revived title (1975–present)

Main article: House of Bourbon

See also

Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dukes of Burgundy.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Monday, February 01, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.