Dauphin of France facts for kids
The Dauphin was a special title given to the heir apparent (the person next in line to the throne) of France. This title was used for a long time, from 1350 to 1791, and then again from 1824 to 1830.
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History of the Dauphin Title
The story of the Dauphin title began with a nobleman named Guy VIII, who was the Count of Vienne. He had a dolphin on his coat of arms, which is like a family symbol. Because of this, people started calling him le Dauphin, which is French for the dolphin.
This title stayed in his family for many years. Then, in 1349, one of his descendants, Humbert II, decided to sell his lands, known as the Dauphiné, to King Philip VI of France. There was one important condition for the sale: the person who was next in line to become King of France would always be called le Dauphin and would govern this territory.
Over time, the Dauphin kept the title, but the lands themselves became part of the French crown. When a Dauphin died, his oldest son would inherit the title. If he didn't have a son, his oldest brother would become the next Dauphin. However, if the king didn't have a son, the title wouldn't be given to anyone. It was never given to the king's brother. The wife of the Dauphin was known as the Dauphine.
The very first French Dauphin was Charles V of France. The title of Dauphin was quite similar to the English title of Prince of Wales, which is given to the heir to the British throne. The Dauphin was allowed to use the special style of Royal Highness, but this was usually only used in official written documents.
Dauphins of France, 1349-1830
Here is a list of the people who held the title of Dauphin of France:
- Charles V of France (1349–1364)
- Charles, eldest son and heir of Charles V; later Charles VI (1368-1380)
- Charles (1389)
- Charles (1392–1401)
- Louis (1401–1415)
- John (1415–1417)
- Charles VII of France (1417–1422)
- Louis XI of France (1423–1461)
- Charles VIII of France (1470–1483)
- Charles Orland (1492–1495)
- Charles (1496)
- François (1497–1498)
- François (1518–1536)
- Henry II of France (1536–1547)
- Francis II of France (1547–1559)
- Louis XIII of France (1601–1610)
- Louis XIV of France (1638–1643)
- Louis, Grand Dauphin (1661–1711)
- Louis, Petit Dauphin (1711-1712)
- Louis (1712)
- Louis XV of France (1712–1715)
- Louis (1729–1765)
- Louis XVI of France (1765–1774)
- Louis Joseph, Dauphin of France (1781–1789)
- Louis XVII of France (1789–1791) (In 1791, his title changed to "Prince Royal".)
- Louis XIX of France (1824–1830)
Related pages
Images for kids
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A lineographic drawing of the arms of the Dauphin. It was designed by Jean de Beaugrand in 1604.
See also
In Spanish: Delfín (título) para niños
