Dukedom of Renaux

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The dukedom of Renaux is a title in the Nobility of Ferrodwiyin. Originally, Renaux was an independent micro state within the Kingdom of Ferrodwiyin, but Lucian the Victorious took over the throne c. 1150. From that moment on, the head of the House of Nenci was granted Renaux as a fiefdom, as well as precedence over all nobles in the Kingdom. The Nencis are a rare example in which the first family to be holder of the title is the only one, and to be always passed from father to child, as every single Duke of Renaux in the title's history has had at least one legitimate child, with the exception of the current Duke, who is the 35th Duchess's younger brother. From 1150-2009, the title's remainder went to heirs general of the body of the First Duke (Letters Patent of 1567). From 2009, the title's remainder goes to heirs male of the 36th Duke with the exception of the Lordship of Houbryn, which would pass to the female line should all male lines die out.

History

Renaux was founded by the Old Ferrods c. 980. From its founding, Gerard, Dux of Renaux formed a strong alliance with the newly-founded Kingdom of Ferrod. This alliance lasted a little over 100 years. When Lucian the Victorious sent his campaign to conquer the Duchy of Thorb, the soldiers were intercepted by William of Renaux to offer Lucian the administration of the territory. Lucian quickly responded to the offer and twenty days later he arrived with his court to Mercis Castle, the Duke's residence, to formalise the union. In response, the King allowed William to keep the lands as a fiefdom, and granted him the ducal title by royal charter. In 1052, William married Marian, eldest daughter of Lucian.

In 1260, Armande I conferred upon the 6th Duke the Great Marshalship of Ferrodwiyin.

In 1326, Jerome, the eldest son of John, 10th Duke of Renaux, was created Viscount of Nenci. Upon Igroin's death, the Viscountcy of Nenci merged with the Duchy of Renaux in Jerome's person. Jerome later changed got the family's surname to de Nenci by Royal Warrant, which remains as their family name to this day (see House of Nenci). All letters patent granting titles to Jerome's descendants specify that the holder of the titles must hold the surname Nenci. Because of this, when a Duchess on her own right had children, they bore her surname rather than her husband's.

Titles and duties

As Great Marshal of Ferrodwiyin, the Duke has the duty of arranging state occasions, such as the celebration of the Unification, state banquets, etc. Also, he's deputy Head of the College of Arms, through which he and the Lord King of Arms regulate armorial bearings.

Subsidiary titles

The Duke of Renaux holds the following subsidiary titles. A * marks a High Nobility Title:

  • Marquess of Olvum (1427)*
  • Marquess of St Nicholas Lautrec (1438)*
  • Marquess of Trounville (1753) (Bedoria)
  • Marquess of Ebur (1525)
  • Count of Holdorff (1525)
  • Count of Mercis (1150)*
  • Count of Renaux (1150)
  • Count of Engia (1753)*
  • Count of Minenul (1680)
  • Viscount of Nenci (1326)*
  • Viscount of Vizcaya (1680)*
  • Viscount of Holbrighton (1629)
  • Baron Nineum (1753)*
  • Baron of Whitebourne (1629)*
  • Baron Nenci (1326)
  • Baron of St Michael in Olvum (1450)
  • Baron of Jaloma (1167)
  • Baron Strallan (1562)
  • Lord in Ferrod (1150)*
  • Lord of Hounbyrn (1562)
  • Master of Mercis (1150)
  • Master of Valderram (1467)*

All titles could pass down to the female line until 2009, when the de Nencis collectively requested the Emperor that the title passed down only on the male line. He then re-granted the letters patent issued in 1567 (which was itself an extension of the Royal Charter granted to the first duke), 1629, 1680, and 1753, stating the remainder was to go to the heirs male of the first duke. This sparked controversy around if the 30th Duke is truly the rightful and legitimate bearer of the title. Both the Imperial and the de Nenci families clarified the letters patent would take effect after the current duke died, and that the five female holders of the title were legitimate.
The eldest son of the holder of the Dukedom bears the title Prince of Renaux and Marquess of Olvum in the High Nobility of Ferrodwiyin. The eldest child of the heir apparent holds the Countship of Mercis in the High Nobility.

Residences

The Duke's main ancestral residence is Mercis Castle in Renaux. Mercis has been the family's residence since their beginnings in the 9th century. See Mercis Castle. The Renauxes also hold several more properties both in the country and in the Empire's main cities:

Line of succession

  • 0- George de Nenci, The Most High, Most Noble, and Most Potent Prince His Most High Grace The 36th Duke of Renaux (b. 1951)
  • 1- The Lord Roderick de Nenci, The Most High and Most Honourable His Most High Lordship The Marquess of Olvum (b. 1977, eldest son of the 30th Duke)
  • 2- The Lord Alexander de Nenci, The Most High and Much Honourable His Most High Lordship the Count of Mercis (b. 2001, eldest child of Lord Olvum)
  • 3- The Lord David de Nenci (b. 1953, younger brother of the Duke)
  • 4- John de Nenci (b. 1973, only son of Lord David)
  • 6- Alfred de Nenci (b. 1964, only son of Lord Oliver, the 27th Duke's younger son)

All other members of the family have opted to stay out of the officially listed line of succession, as they have no contact with the ducal family. However, they remain legal possible successors. Should the male line of the Duke's family die out, all titles would be transferred to the Count of Wenstim, a descendant of the 20th Duke, and pass to his heirs male.

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