Duke of Brittany

The Duke of Brittany (French: Duc de Bretagne) governed Brittany, a region with strong traditions of independence, including a language and culture all its own. However, incorporation into the Carolingian empire ensured that the political and social institutions were simular to those prevaling elsewhere in western Francia. Prior to the 10th century, Brittany was severely affected by Viking attacks and ducal authority was weak. Dynastic disputes caused the political fragmentation of the duchy into counties and authority suffered even further from the pressures of resisting claims by both the dukes of Normandy and the counts of Anjou. This process of fragmentation was halted and reversed from the mid-eleventh century, when intermarriage resulted in the ducal title vesting in one individual, Duke Alain IV.

See also

• Brittany
• Dukes of Brittany family tree