Only the nobles in Europe could carry the highest title. In the Middle Ages they were given to second parties after the king. Answering the question of who the duke is, we can say that this is a man from a noble class. In his possessions were castles, lands, people. In ancient times, this word was called a military leader among German nationalities.
Definition Translation
Mentioning the answers to the question of who the duke is can be found in ancient chronicles. The word "Herzog" comes from the German language. It is associated with people of noble origin.
The word "duke" was used in other languages:
- Translated from German, the meaning of the word "duke" (herzog) is defined as "lead, lead, lead."
- In Latin, a similar word is used dux (duco - Vedu).
- In French, the word "duke" is defined as "duc."
- The English version means "a noble person, a feudal lord" - "duke".
- In Italian, the duke is called the word "duca".
Semantic definitions
We give the semantic definitions indicated in the dictionaries. Consider who the duke is:
- The ancient meaning of the word is described as a military leader of the tribe.
- Owner of land and people.
- Second person after the king. The noble title of persons selected by the nobility.
- Officials employed in the public service of the king. They had graphs in their submission.
- In England, the dukes were people of kindred blood with princes, kings.
- In the Union of South Africa, Hertzog James was Prime Minister from 1924-1939. He went down in history as a supporter of racism, and also refused to speak out against Germany.
- The owner of the estate - the duchy, inherited. This was legalized at the level of supreme power by Charles II Lysy (877).
Early historical meaning
Who is the duke has already been mentioned in ancient times. The German peoples called their commander so. People were on long hikes for years, and some of them remained in the conquered territories. This relocation gave the word the following meaning - the owner of land, reporting directly to the king. In places, the official had the highest authority.
The dukes had a distinctive look of clothing, wore a unique-shaped crown and expressed commitment to their homeland. The Lennik of the king kept order in his province and, if necessary, again led a military campaign to suppress the rebellion or repel the attack on the borders of his possessions. Subordinate was a group of proxies - graphs.
The dukes were obliged to transmit to the people the will of the king, monitor the implementation of his decrees and engage in punitive operations against those who disagree. Each province had its own rules and additional laws issued directly by the owner of the land.
European title
Charlemagne tried to remove ranks to exclude the ongoing struggle for independence. Zendgraves and margraves were appointed to replace the nobility. However, the definition of the word "duke" retained its meaning in neighboring states.
Former dukes regained the meaning of the word and continued to uphold their independence. They managed to regain their past ranks. So, within Germany alone there were more than five duchies at the beginning of the tenth century:
- Saxon.
- Lorraine.
- Swabian.
- Franconian.
- Bavarian.
A high title was assigned only to the close associates of the ruler, so as not to give the opportunity to seize power to opponents of the ruling class. The meaning of the word "duke" has changed over time. So began to call the proteges of the central government, fulfilling the will of the king. Later, the Great began to be added to the title, this emphasized the significance of man and the power of his estate.
In other countries
Consider what the word "duke" meant in the Middle Ages. After the abolition of the title, noble people began to resist the central government and established their order in the estates. Later, the rulers still managed to force them to submit, but the internecine war persisted for a very long time.
As a result, the following duchies were created in the territories of European states:
- 1156 - Austrian.
- 1185 - Pomeranian, formerly referred to as Slavic;
- In 1273, the Carinthians were founded.
- 1339 - Geldern appeared.
- In 1349 - Mecklenburg entered history.
- 1364 - Luxembourgish.
- In 1356 - founded the Yulikh.
- 1378 - Savoy.
- In 1423, the Duchy of the House of Vettins was formed.
Since 1844, instead of the title, the duke began to use other titles. In Germany, sovereign people were called highness, in relation to non-sovereign people they used the word excellence. In England, the phrase "his mercy" was used.
She had a similar force in other states:
- Polish-Lithuanian state. The ducal authorities included spiritual senators, nobles, secular estates, government officials, and joyful lords.
- Hungary. The vassals of the king included immigrants from princes, barons, counts. The highest ranks had the legalized right to participate in state activities, gathering to resolve important issues in the government chamber. This assembly was called the "table of magnates" or the "high table."
In England and in France
The ducal provinces persisted for a long time, perfectly proving their independence by armed demonstrations. Kings tried by any means to unite the surrounding noble estates. They bought the submission of independent persons by treaties, concessions, and marriage unions. Those who were immune to the decrees of the supreme power were eliminated by force.
So, in France, powerful duchies stood out:
- Gascon, Hyena.
- Brittany, Burgundy.
- Norman, Aquitaine.
Later, during the reign of Napoleon I and his descendant Napoleon III, the word "duke" lost its original meaning. This was due to the fact that the rulers began to appropriate the title to any person who liked it. Even a new buffoon could suddenly become a duke.
In England, the title of Duke appeared since the reign of King Edward III. Before that there were barons, counts. In order to distinguish his family, the ruler granted the title to children - sons:
- The elder prince of Wales is given the title Duke of Cornwall. In England, this genus has survived to this day.
- Duke of York.
- Duke Clarence.
The title was bestowed on especially dedicated representatives of the nobility. So the dukes appeared:
- Lancaster.
- Northumberland.
- Clarence.
Title in Russia
Starting with Menshikov, the meaning of the word "duke" appeared in Russia. The Middle Ages were rich in aristocracy and visiting foreigners of the government. Such a title was present even among Russian tsars - Holstein-Gottorp. He pointed to their western origin.
Famous relatives of the Romanovs were recorded in the history of the country:
- Leuchtenberg.
- Oldenburg.
- Württemberg.
The dukes had absolute power. But their title could be taken away by the state in connection with the seizure of land, when the existing ruler was unable to protect his rights. Such events took place in the history of European states.
In Russia, the title was held by representatives of the highest nobility, the nobility. The title was inherited; at the state level, other definitions of officials and close associates of the king — princes — were used.
Does any of contemporaries have a title?
Among contemporaries there are still dukes: Jean-Jean of Luxembourg, they turn to him, starting with the phrase "Royal Highness". The title of Duke of Cornwall is held by the Prince of Wales in England.
If we consider what the word "duke" means in our time, then we can draw similar semantic features of the definition:
- As before, the title duke means the noble origin of man.
- The dukes inherited castles and other historical buildings.
- It is understood that people with this rank have a decent condition in the form of land estates and savings.
However, modern dukes have no previous influence on political events in the country. The title only reminds others of the origin of man and his home. In England, to this day there are dukes. They belong to the highest category of peers, which was located in the hierarchy of the nobility below the kings.