Duke of Touraine facts for kids
The Duke of Touraine was a special title in the Peerage of France. It was connected to the region of Touraine in France. This title was given to important people, usually members of the royal family.
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First Dukes of Touraine
The title of Duke of Touraine was created several times throughout history. Each time, it was given to a different person.
Philip the Bold
The first time the title was created was in 1360. It was given to Philip the Bold. He was the youngest son of King John II of France. Philip returned the duchy (the land of the duke) to the Crown in 1363. This happened when he became the Duke of Burgundy. He passed away in 1404.
Louis of Orléans
The title was created again in 1386. This time, it went to Louis. He was the youngest son of King Charles V of France. Louis gave the duchy back to the Crown in 1392. This was because he became the Duke of Orléans. He died in 1407.
John, Dauphin of France
In 1401, the title was created for the third time. It was given to John. He was the fourth son of King Charles VI of France. John became the Dauphin of France in 1415. The Dauphin was the heir to the French throne. John died in 1417 without getting married.
Charles VII of France
The next creation of the title was in 1416. It was given to Charles. He was the youngest son of King Charles VI. Charles became the Dauphin in 1417 after his brother passed away. He then became King Charles VII of France in 1422. When he became king, the title of Duke of Touraine joined with the Crown. This means it was no longer a separate title.
Scottish Duke of Touraine
The title was created for a fifth time in 1423. This was for a Scottish nobleman named Archibald Douglas, 4th Earl of Douglas. He was a military leader fighting for France during the Hundred Years' War.
Battle of Verneuil
Archibald Douglas was killed in the Battle of Verneuil in 1424. His son, Lord Wigtown, was in Scotland at the time. People in France thought Wigtown had died without children. So, they believed the Duke of Touraine title had ended.
Title Confirmation
Later, it became clear that Wigtown had indeed become the Earl of Douglas after his father. He was then confirmed as the Duke of Touraine. However, he did not receive the lands that usually came with the title. He died in 1439. The male family line of the fourth Earl of Douglas ended in 1440. This happened when William Douglas, 6th Earl of Douglas passed away.
Later Changes to Touraine Land
The land of Touraine itself was given to Duke Louis III of Anjou in 1424. This was done through official documents in Bourges.
Later, in 1528, King Francis I of France gave the land of Touraine to his mother, Louise of Savoy. This was part of an exchange for another duchy called Duchy of Nemours.
Last Official Creation
The title was created one more time in 1576. It was given to Francis. He was the youngest son of King Henry II of France. Francis was also made the Duke of Anjou and Berry at the same time. He died in 1584 without getting married. When he died, the title of Duke of Touraine officially ended.
Modern Courtesy Title
Sometimes, old titles are used as "courtesy titles." These are not official titles recognized by the government.
Alfonso and Louis Alphonse
In 1981, a person who claimed to be the rightful King of France, Alfonso, Duke of Anjou and Cádiz, gave the title "Duke of Touraine" to his second son, Louis Alphonse.
After his brother died in 1984 and his father died in 1989, Louis Alphonse took on other courtesy titles. These included "Duke of Bourbon" and "Duke of Anjou." He is currently the main person claiming to be the King of France, known as "Louis XX."
Henri, Duke of Touraine
Louis Alphonse later gave the title "Duke of Touraine" to his third son, Henri. Henri was born on February 1, 2019. Louis Alphonse had previously given his twin sons the courtesy titles of "Dauphin of France, Duke of Burgundy" and "Duke of Berry."
