Duchy
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2008-07-06T13:58:57Z
68.53.17.234
Removed Gundam Double Entry
A '''duchy''' is a territory, [[fiefdom|fief]], or domain ruled by a [[duke]] or [[duchess]]. Historically, some duchies in Continental [[Europe]] were [[sovereignty|sovereign]], while others (especially in [[France]] and [[UK|Britain]]) were subordinate districts of a [[Kingdom (politics)|kingdom]].
Traditionally, a [[grand duchy]], such as [[Luxembourg]], was generally independent and sovereign. Sovereign duchies were common in the [[Holy Roman Empire]] and [[German language|German]]-speaking areas.
In [[France]], a number of duchies existed in the medieval period. Queen [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom]] still holds the medieval French title of [[Duke of Normandy]]; the only lands still attached to the Duchy of Normandy are the [[Channel Islands]] although there no longer is a King of France. Important French duchies included [[Normandy]], [[Burgundy]], [[Brittany]] and [[Aquitaine]].
In medieval [[England]], the territories of [[Lancashire]] and [[Cornwall]] were made duchies, with certain powers accruing to their Dukes. The [[Duchy of Lancaster]] was created in 1351 but became merged with the Crown when, in 1399, the Duke, Henry Bolingbroke ascended the throne of England as Henry IV. The [[Duchy of Cornwall]] was created in 1337 and held successively by Dukes of Cornwall who were also heirs to the throne. These duchies today have lost their political role,{{Fact|date=February 2007}} although there is an ongoing dispute over the status of Cornwall.
In more recent times, territorial duchies have become rare; most dukedoms conferred in the last few centuries have been of a purely symbolic character (see [[Duke]]). No independent duchies exist today; however, [[Luxembourg]] is an independent [[Grand Duchy]].
* For the history of duchies as an institution, see the entry on [[Duke]].
== See also ==
===Current or historical duchies===
* [[Grand Duchy]]
* [[Duchies in England]]
* [[Duchy of Limburg]]
* [[Duke of Cornwall]]
* [[Duchy of Cornwall]]
* [[Cornwall]]
* [[Constitutional status of Cornwall]]
* [[Duchy of Lancaster]]
* [[Grand Duchy of Luxembourg]]
* [[United Baltic Duchy]]
* [[Duchy of Warsaw]]
* [[Duchy of Normandy]]
* [[Duke of Burgundy|Duchy of Burgundy]]
* [[Duke of Aquitaine|Duchy of Aquitaine]]
* [[Duchy of Vasconia]]
* [[Gascony|Duchy of Gascony]]
* [[Duke of Brittany|Duchy of Brittany]]
* [[Duke of the Franks|Duchy of the Franks]]
* [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania]]
===Fictional duchies===
* [[House Atreides|Duchy of Atreides]] from the [[Dune universe|Dune series]] by [[Frank Herbert]]
* [[Vana%27diel#Grand_Duchy_of_Jeuno|Grand Duchy of Jeuno]] (from [[Final Fantasy XI]])
* Grand Duchy of [[Karameikos]], from the [[Dungeons & Dragons]] [[Mystara]] Campaign Setting.
* [[Duchy of Grand Fenwick]]
* [[Borogravia]] (from the [[Discworld]] series)
* [[Quirm]] (from the [[Discworld]] series)
* [[The Six Duchies]](from [[The Farseer Trilogy]] and [[Tawny Man Trilogy]] by [[Robin Hobb]])
* [[Zeon]] (from the [[Mobile Suit Gundam]] series)
* [[Erat]] (from the [[Belgariad]] series)
* [[Asturia]] (from the [[Belgariad]] series)
* [[Mimbre]] (from the [[Belgariad]] series)
* [[Wacune]] (from the [[Belgariad]] series)
* [[Crydee]] (from the [[Riftwar]] saga)
* [[Yabon]] (from the [[Riftwar]] saga)
* [[Krondor]] (from the [[Riftwar]] saga)
== External links ==
{{Wiktionary}}
*[http://www.duchyofcornwall.org/ The Duchy of Cornwall] - The Duchy of Cornwall official web-site
*[http://www.kernowtgg.co.uk/ Tyr Gwyr Gweryn] The Duchy charters, Cornish foreshore case and much more in full
{{Types of administrative country subdivision}}
[[Category:Forms of government]]
[[Category:Administrative divisions]]
[[af:Hertogdom]]
[[cy:Dugiaeth]]
[[da:Hertugdømme]]
[[de:Herzogtum]]
[[es:Ducado]]
[[fr:Duché]]
[[hr:Vojvodstvo]]
[[hu:Hercegség]]
[[it:Ducato (feudo)]]
[[nl:Stamhertogdom]]
[[no:Hertugdømme]]
[[pl:Księstwo]]
[[pt:Ducado|Duque]]
[[sv:Hertigdöme]]
[[uk:Герцогство]]