Dukedoms in Portugal
There is a total of 28 dukedoms in Portugal. In the majority of cases, the title of Duke was attributed to members of high nobility, usually relatives of the Portuguese Royal Family, such as the second sons of monarchs.
There are exceptions, like António José de Ávila, who, although not having any relation to the Royal Family, was given the title of Duke of Ávila and Bolama.
Dukedoms in Portugal
- Royal Hereditary Dukedom
- Duque de Bragança (the home principality of the Portuguese royal dynasty. After the restoration of a Portuguese dynasty in 1640, it became a title of the Prince-heir of the Crown, and passes to his heir, when he becomes King.)
- Royal Courtesy Dukedoms (occasionally given to other members of the Royal Family)
- Noble Dukedoms
- All of them can be inherited, but only some of them are titles "de juro e herdade" - this meant that the King was obliged to renew the title in its rightful heir. Only Aveiro, Lafões, Terceira, Palmela, Saldanha and Loulé were dukedoms de juro e herdade. Some of these dukes (Cadaval, Terceira and Saldanha) had "Honras de Parente" i.e. honours of being relative of the King.
- List of the Portuguese noble dukedoms:
- Before the Liberal Regime
- Duque de Aveiro and Duque de Torres Novas (both extinct in 1759, after the execution of the last Duke for high treason against the state).The first duke was the elder son of the Duke of Coimbra, the sole surviving (but illegitimate) son of King John II, known as the perfect prince.
- Duque de Caminha and Duque de Vila Real (both extinct for high treason for supporting the right of the Spanish Habsburg Kings to the Portuguese throne after the revolution of 1640]]
- Duque do Cadaval, family Álvares Pereira de Mello, branch of the House of Braganza before they were Kings.
- Duque de Lafões, families Bragança, Souza and Menezes. The first duke was an illegitimate son of King Pedro II of Portugal. Also Counts of Miranda and Marquis of Arronches (Sousa) and Counts of Cantanhede and Marquis of Marialva (Menezes) and also Dukes of Miranda do Corvo (Bragança).
- Duque da Vitória (this title, meaning literally in Portuguese "Duke of the Victory", was given to Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington. Although hereditary, it was in practice a courtesy dukedom since their bearers were foreign citizens living out of Portugal).
- After the Liberal Regime
- Duque da Terceira, Descendants of San Fernando, King of Castille that reigned as Fernando III, by his son, Infante D. Manuel. Heads of the Portuguese branch of the Manoel de Vilhena family, since the marriage of D. Constança Manoel with D. Pedro I, King of Portugal. Her brother, D. Henrique Manoel, was brought in her entourage, and made Count of Seia e Sintra in Portugal by his brother-in-law. Following the long line of military tradition of his family, D. António José de Sousa Manoel de Meneses Severim de Noronha, first Duke of Terceira, Marquis and Count of Vila Flor,was Marechal of the Portuguese Army, and responsible by the disembark in Lisbon, on the mythic 24th of July of 1833, of the liberal forces, leading them to victory. Winner of the Battle of Asseisseira, he then evolved to a political career, being President of the Council of Ministers. The Counts of Vila Flor saw, once more, their bravery in battle being recognized, and their services were rewarded with the upgrade of their condition to Dukes, with the treatment of Duke-Parente (honours of State Protocol as a King relative). Through marriage, the Dukes of Terceira, Marquis of Vila Flor and Counts of Vila Flor, are also Counts of Alpedrinha (after the Renaissance Portuguese Cardinal D. Jorge da Costa), and Counts-Viscounts of Azarujinha (after the nineteenth century industrial fortune).
- Duque de Palmela, formerly Duque do Faial, title replaced by the title of Duke of Palmela, family Souza e Holstein, which descends by female from the Dukes of Holstein. Also Marquis of Faial and Palmela and Counts of Calhariz and Palmela. The first Duke was President of the Council of Ministers and a Great Ambassador in London and the Viena Congress.
- Duque de Saldanha, family Saldanha Oliveira e Daun. Also Counts of Almoster and Marquis and Counts of Saldanha. The First Duke was President of the Council of Ministers and "Marechal" of the Army. Winner of the battle of Almoster.
- Duque de Loulé, family Mendoça, also Counts of Vale de Reis and Marquis of Loulé. They descend from Infanta D. Ana de Jesus Maria of Portugal. The first Duke was President of the Council of Ministers.
- Duque de Ávila e Bolama, family Ávila. First dukedom granted to a non high rank and moreover non-noble born person. The first Duke was President of the Council of Ministers.
- Duque de Albuquerque, family Costa de Sousa de Macedo, also Counts of Mesquitela, Viscounts of Mesquitela and formerly Barons of Mullingar in Ireland. The first Duke was President of the Council of Ministers.
- Non hereditary dukedoms.
- Dukedoms traditionally granted to the Camareira-Mor, the highest palatine office for a Lady, only during her life.
List
See also
- List of Marquesses in Portugal
- List of Countships in Portugal
- List of Viscountcies in Portugal
- List of Barons in Portugal