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
- Duke of Braganza (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.
- Before the Liberal Regime:
- Duke of Aveiro and Duke of 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 of Portugal;
- Duke of Caminha and Duke of 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;
- Duke of Cadaval, family Álvares Pereira de Mello, branch of the House of Braganza before they were Kings;
- Duke of 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);
- Duke 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:
- Duke of Terceira, Descendants of Ferdinand III of Castile, by his son, Infante Juan Manuel, Lord of Villena. Heads of the Portuguese branch of the Manoel de Vilhena family, since the marriage of Constance Manoel with King Pedro I of Portugal. Her brother, Henrique Manoel, was brought in her entourage, and made Count of Seia, in Portugal by his brother-in-law. Following the long line of military tradition of his family, António José de Sousa Manoel de Meneses Severim de Noronha, 1st Duke of Terceira, Marquis and Count of Vila Flor, was Marshal of the Army;
- Duke of Palmela, formerly Duke of Faial, replaced by the title of Duke of Palmela (family Souza e Holstein), descending from the Dukes of Holstein, by female line. Also Marquis of Faial, Marquis of Palmela, Count of Palmela and Count of Calhariz. The first Duke was President of the Council of Ministers and a quite known Ambassador in London and to the Congress of Vienna;
- Duke of Saldanha, family Saldanha Oliveira e Daun. Also Marquis of Saldanha, Counts of Saldanha and Count of Almoster. The First Duke was President of the Council of Ministers and Marshal of the Army;
- Duke of Loulé, family Mendonça, also Count of Vale de Reis and Marquis of Loulé, descending from Infanta Ana de Jesus Maria of Portugal. The first Duke was President of the Council of Ministers;
- Duke of Ávila and 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;
- Duke of 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.
- Before the Liberal Regime:
- Non Hereditary Dukedoms - traditionally granted to the Chamberlady (Camareira-Môr), the highest palatine office for a lady, only during her life.
- Duchess of Abrantes, granted to two Marchionesses of Abrantes.
- Duchess of Ficalho, to one Marchioness of Ficalho.
- Duchess of Linhares, to one Countess of Linhares.
- Duchess of Tancos, to one Marchioness of Tancos.
List
See also
- List of Marquesses in Portugal
- List of Countships in Portugal
- List of Viscountcies in Portugal
- List of Barons in Portugal