Duke of Berwick Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Dukedom of Berwick
Upper: arms of the Dukedom of Berwick in the peerage of England (1687–1695) Lower: arms of the Dukedom of Berwick in the peerage of Spain (1707–present)
Creation date	1687 (created English title) 1707 (confirmed Spanish title)
Monarch	James II Philip V
Peerage	Peerage of England Peerage of Spain
First holder	James FitzJames
Present holder	Jacobo Hernando Fitz-James Stuart y Gómez (English title) Carlos Fitz-James Stuart y Martínez de Irujo (Spanish title)
Heir apparent	Luis Esteban Fitz-James Stuart y Gómez, 14th Marquess of Valderrábano (English title) Fernando Fitz-James Stuart, 17th Duke of Huéscar (Spanish title)
Remainder to	the 1st Duke's heirs male of the body lawfully begotten (English title) the 10th Duke's heirs, both male or female (Spanish title)
Subsidiary titles	Peerage of England only: Earl of Tinmouth Baron Bosworth
Seat(s)	Liria Palace

The Duke of Berwick is a special title that was first created in England in 1687. It was given to James FitzJames, who was the son of King James II and Arabella Churchill. The name "Berwick" comes from the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed in England, which is close to the border with Scotland.

At the same time, James FitzJames also received two other titles: Baron Bosworth and Earl of Tinmouth. These were connected to the English dukedom. After 1695, the first Duke was not allowed to take his place in the House of Lords (a part of the British Parliament). Because of this, the English title is now considered "dormant," meaning it's not officially active, but it could theoretically be claimed again by the right male heirs.

In 1707, King Philip V of Spain also recognized the title in Spain. He also gave the 1st Duke of Berwick the special honor of being a Grandee of Spain. This means the Dukedom of Berwick is also a title in Spanish nobility.

The interesting thing is that the rules for inheriting the title are different in England and Spain.

In England, only male heirs can inherit the title.
In Spain, the title can be passed down to the first-born child, whether they are male or female.

Because of these different rules, the English and Spanish titles of Duke of Berwick are now held by different people! This happened after the 10th Duke of Berwick passed away in 1953, as he only had a daughter.

The English title was then passed to the 10th Duke's nephew, Don Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart y Gómez, who became the 12th Duke of Berwick in 1971. His younger brother, Don Luis Fitz-James Stuart y Gómez, is expected to inherit it next if Jacobo has no sons.

However, the Spanish title went to the 10th Duke's daughter, Doña Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart, 18th Duchess of Alba (who was also the 11th Duchess of Berwick). When she passed away in 2014, her son, Don Carlos Fitz-James Stuart, 19th Duke of Alba, became the current Spanish Duke of Berwick. His eldest son, Don Fernando Fitz-James Stuart, 17th Duke of Huéscar, is next in line for the Spanish title.

What Happened to the Title?
Jacobite Dukes of Berwick (1695–present)
Spanish Dukes of Berwick (1707–present)
Images for kids
See also

What Happened to the Title?

The English Parliament decided in 1695 that the English Dukedom of Berwick was "forfeit." This happened because James FitzJames was exiled from England after his father, King James II, lost his throne. Today, the official College of Arms in England does not list this title, meaning it's not officially recognized there.

However, in France, King Louis XIV recognized the title as a de facto Jacobite peerage. "Jacobite" refers to people who supported King James II and his family after he was removed from the throne. So, while not recognized in England, it was still seen as a real title by those who supported the Jacobite cause.

On December 13, 1707, King Philip V of Spain officially confirmed the title in Spain. He also gave the 1st Duke of Berwick the special honor of being a Grandee of Spain. This important status is connected to the Spanish title of Duke of Berwick.

If the English title were still active, it could only be passed down through the male family line. When the 10th Duke of Berwick, Don Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart, 17th Duke of Alba, passed away in 1953, his nephew, Don Fernando FitzJames Stuart, would have inherited the English title. Then, Fernando's son, Don Jacobo FitzJames Stuart, would have become the current head of the family line for the English title.

The Spanish title, along with the Grandee of Spain honor, follows Spain's inheritance rules. Historically, Spanish noble titles usually went to males first, but a female could inherit if there were no living brothers or male descendants from them. So, when the 10th Duke of Berwick passed away in 1953, his only child, Doña Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart, 18th Duchess of Alba, inherited his Spanish titles, including the Spanish Dukedom of Berwick. After her passing in 2014, the dukedom went to her eldest son, Don Carlos Fitz-James Stuart y Martínez de Irujo.

Jacobite Dukes of Berwick (1695–present)

This table shows the people who held the title of Duke of Berwick according to the Jacobite line (those who supported King James II and his descendants).

Descendant	Portrait
James FitzJames, 1st Duke of Berwick 1695–1734
James Fitz-James Stuart, 2nd Duke of Berwick 1734–1738
Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart, 3rd Duke of Berwick 1738–1785
Carlos Fitz-James Stuart, 4th Duke of Berwick 1785–1787
Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart, 5th Duke of Berwick 1787–1794
Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart, 6th Duke of Berwick 1794–1795
Carlos Fitz-James Stuart, 7th Duke of Berwick 1795–1835
Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart, 8th Duke of Berwick 1835–1881
Carlos Fitz-James Stuart, 9th Duke of Berwick 1881–1901
Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart, 10th Duke of Berwick 1901–1953
Fernando Fitz-James Stuart, 11th Duke of Berwick 1953–1970
Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart, 12th Duke of Berwick 1970–present

Spanish Dukes of Berwick (1707–present)

Before 1953, the Spanish Dukes were also the Jacobite Dukes of Berwick. The family line split because the Spanish and Jacobite rules for inheriting titles are different.