Title and Origins of Grand Duchies
The title of "grand duke" (Latin: Magnus Dux) ranks in honor below king, but higher in diplomatic precedence than a sovereign duke or sovereign prince. Hence, "grand duchy" is the name used when referring to the territory of such a sovereign grand duke or duchess.
The title has confusedly, in translation and in diplomatic ranking (such as deciding who precedes whom in a diplomatic event such as a dinner), been applied to some non-sovereigns, particularly in pre-United Nations eastern European nations. "Grand duke" is also the usual and established translation of sovereign "grand prince" in languages which do not have separate words meaning prince for:
- the non-ruling relatives of a monarch, and
- monarch (sovereign or like) princes. English and French use "grand duke" in this way.
- "Grand Duke" is also the usual and established translation in English and French of the Russian non-sovereign title Velikiy Knjaz (Grand Prince) of Russia, which from 17th century belonged to members of the family of the Russian tsar, although those grand dukes were not sovereigns (This is an upgrade, not a downgrade. They were not downgraded from sovereign. Quite the opposite, prior to the growth of Russia and the title of its' ruler, the members of the ruler's family had no title, then later were simply non-sovereign "Knjaz" (Prince). Prior to the independance of Russia in 1480, the position of "Velikiy Knjaz of Russia" was appointed by the Khan of the Golden Horde from among the rulers of different Principalities. At a later stage, only Moscow, and from some point in time Moscow stopped asking permission. Several of the Principalities at a late stage proclaimed themselves Grand Principalities in their own right. Most notably, Ryazan. This was usually not recognised by Moscow, and was terminated everywhere by eventual Muscovite conquest. These ones were the ones who were really downgraded. The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was elective from 1569, under Polish dominance, although de facto mostly under lon-standing dynasties. It was conquered by Russia in 1795.).
The title of sovereign "Grand Duke" and it as translation of "grand prince" thus have clearly different meanings. In the widespread political reorganisations following World War II many monarchies ceased to exist, making the title far less prevalent and important.
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