House of FitzJames facts for kids
Quick facts for kids FitzJames |
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| Jacobite noble family | |
.svg) Arms of the House of FitzJames |
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| Country | Kingdom of England, Kingdom of Scotland, Kingdom of France, Kingdom of Spain, Kingdom of Sicily, Kingdom of Two Sicilies |
| Parent house | House of Stuart |
| Titles |
List
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| Founded | 1670 |
| Founder | James FitzJames, 1st Duke of Berwick |
| Current head | Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart y Gómez, 12th Duke of Berwick |
The House of FitzJames is a famous noble family. It was started by James FitzJames, 1st Duke of Berwick. James FitzJames was the son of King James II, who ruled England, Scotland, and Ireland. King James II belonged to the House of Stuart.
After a big change in England called the Revolution of 1688, King James II lost his throne. His son, the 1st Duke of Berwick, went with him into exile. This means they had to leave their home country. Because of this, much of the FitzJames family's history has been in Spain and France. Many family members became important military leaders in these countries.
The FitzJames family has two main branches, like two different paths from the same tree. The older branch holds the title of Duke of Berwick and lives in Spain. This branch started from the 1st Duke's first marriage. Over time, this part of the family gained many important titles in Spain. Some members became ambassadors (representatives of their country) or high-ranking military officers.
The younger branch of the family was connected to France. It came from the 1st Duke's second marriage. A well-known person from this branch was Édouard de Fitz-James, who was the 6th Duke of Fitz-James. He was a strong supporter of the king (an ultraroyalist). He had to leave France during the French Revolution. Later, he returned and became an important politician. This French branch of the family ended when the last male Duke of Fitz-James died in 1967.
The Spanish Branch: Dukes of Berwick and Liria
This part of the family is the senior branch. They hold the title of Duke of Berwick. Here are some of the important dukes in this line:
- James FitzJames, 1st Duke of Berwick
- James Fitz-James Stuart, 2nd Duke of Berwick
- Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart, 3rd Duke of Berwick
- Carlos Fitz-James Stuart, 4th Duke of Berwick
- Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart, 5th Duke of Berwick
- Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart, 6th Duke of Berwick
This branch also gained the Spanish title of Duke of Alba. This happened in 1802 when the 13th Duchess of Alba passed away without children. The FitzJames family was related to the Alba family through the mother of the 4th Duke of Berwick. She was the granddaughter of an earlier Duchess of Alba.
Here are some dukes who held both titles:
- Carlos Fitz-James Stuart, 7th Duke of Berwick and 14th Duke of Alba
- Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart, 8th Duke of Berwick and 15th Duke of Alba
- Carlos Fitz-James Stuart, 9th Duke of Berwick and 16th Duke of Alba
- Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart, 10th Duke of Berwick and 17th Duke of Alba
When the 10th Duke of Berwick died in 1953, his Spanish titles, like Duke of Alba, went to his daughter. However, the title of Duke of Berwick (which was a Jacobite title) went to his nephew. This happened because the rules for passing on titles were different in Spain compared to the Jacobite rules.
The French Branch: Dukes of FitzJames
This is the junior branch of the family, mainly based in France. Here are some of the Dukes of Fitz-James:
- James FitzJames, 1st Duke of Berwick
- Henry James Fitz-James, 2nd Duke of Fitz-James
- François de Fitz-James, 3rd Duke of Fitz-James
- Charles de Fitz-James, 4th Duke of Fitz-James
- Jacques Charles de Fitz-James, 5th Duke of Fitz-James
- Édouard de Fitz-James, 6th Duke of Fitz-James
- Jacques Marie Emmanuel de Fitz-James, 7th Duke of Fitz-James
- Édouard Antoine Sidoine de Fitz-James, 8th Duke of Fitz-James
- Jacques Gustave Sidoine de Fitz-James, 9th Duke of Fitz-James
- Jacques de Fitz-James, 10th Duke of Fitz-James
