Duchy of Courland and Semigallia facts for kids

The flag of the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia

Map of the Duchy in 1749

The Duchy of Courland and Semigallia was a special kind of country called a duchy (ruled by a duke). It was located in the Baltic region, which is near the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe. This duchy existed for a long time, from 1562 until 1795.

For most of its history, the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia was a "vassal state". This means it was like a smaller country that was loyal to a bigger, more powerful one. First, it was connected to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and later to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In 1791, it became fully independent, but this freedom didn't last long. In 1795, it was taken over by the Russian Empire during a big event called the Third Partition of Poland.

Even though it was a smaller duchy, it actually had its own small "empire" overseas! One of its colonies was a place we now know as Trinidad and Tobago, which is a country in the Caribbean Sea.

What Came Before and After the Duchy?

The Duchy of Courland and Semigallia didn't just appear out of nowhere. It was formed from an older state and later became part of another.

Before the Duchy: Livonian Confederation

Before the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia was created, the area was part of the Livonian Confederation. This was a group of different states and lands in the Baltic region.

• The Livonian Confederation was a medieval state in the Baltic region.

After the Duchy: Courland Governorate

When the Russian Empire took over the Duchy in 1795, it became a new part of Russia.

• This new part was called the Courland Governorate.

Images for kids

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  A coin from 1578, showing the monogram of Grand Duke Stephen Báthory and the coat of arms of Lithuania. It was made in Mitau.

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  A coin from 1764, featuring a portrait of Ernst Johann von Biron, along with the coat of arms of Poland and the coat of arms of Lithuania.

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  A map showing how the Duchy was divided into different administrative areas.

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  A German map of the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia from around 1600.

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  Jelgava Palace, which was the main home for the dukes of Courland and Semigallia.

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  King Sigismund Augustus of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania officially adding the Duchies of Courland and Semigallia to his lands in 1569.

See also

In Spanish: Ducado de Curlandia y Semigalia para niños