Dauphin of France - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Grand Coat of Arms of the Dauphins of France

The Dauphin was the heir apparent to the throne of France from 1350–1791, and from 1824–1830.

Guy VIII, Count of Vienne, had a dolphin on his coat of arms and had been nicknamed le Dauphin (French for dolphin). The title of Dauphin of Viennois descended in his family until 1349, when Humbert II sold his signeurie, called the Dauphiné, to King Philippe VI on condition that the heir of France assumed the title of le Dauphin and govern this territory.[1] The Dauphin retained the title only.[2] The estates belonged to the crown. On the death of the Dauphin, his eldest son inherits the title.[2] If there is no son, his oldest brother succeeds him.[2] If the king does not have a son the title does not go to anyone.[2] It is never given to a brother of the king.[2] The wife of the Dauphin was known as the Dauphine.[2] The first French Dauphin was Charles V. The title is roughly equivalent to the English title Prince of Wales. The Dauphin was entitled to the use of the style of Royal Highness but this was only ever used in written form.

The title of Dauphin of Auvergne was used by the Count of Clermont.

Dauphins of France, 1349-1830

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  1. Charles V of France 1349–1364
  2. Charles, eldest son and heir of Charles V; future Charles VI 1368-1380
  3. Charles 1389
  4. Charles 1392–1401
  5. Louis, 1401–1415
  6. John, 1415–1417
  7. Charles VII of France 1417–1422
  8. Louis XI of France 1423–1461
  9. Charles VIII of France 1470–1483
  10. Edward of Middleham (disputed) 1483-1484
  11. Charles Orland 1492–1495
  12. Charles 1496
  13. François 1497–1498
  14. François 1518–1536
  15. Henry II of France 1536–1547
  16. Francis II of France 1547–1559
  17. Louis XIII of France 1601–1610
  18. Louis XIV of France 1638–1643
  19. Louis, Grand Dauphin 1661–1711
  20. Louis, Petit Dauphin 1711-1712
  21. Louis 1712
  22. Louis XV of France 1712–1715
  23. Louis 1729–1765
  24. Louis XVI of France 1765–1774
  25. Louis Joseph, Dauphin of France 1781–1789
  26. Louis XVII of France 1789–1791 (in 1791 his title was changed to "Prince Royal")
  27. Louis XIX of France 1824–1830
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References

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  1. Roland Mousnier, The Institutions of France Under the Absolute Monarchy, 1598-1789, Vol. 2 (Chicago; London: University of Chicago, 1984), p. 4
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Encyclopædia Americana, Vol. 4, eds. Francis Lieber; Edward Wigglesworth; Thomas Gamaliel Bradford (Philadelphia: Carey, Lea & Carey, 1830), p. 129