Duke of Abrantes

Duke of Abrantes (in Portuguese "Duque de Abrantes") was an aristocratic Portuguese title, granted by a decree issued by King Joseph I of Portugal on December 9th, 1753, to Ana Maria Catarina Henriqueta de Lorena, 3rd Marchioness of Abrantes and 9th Countess of Penaguião.

The King upgraded "Dona" Ana Maria de Lorena, 3rd Marchioness of Abrantes, to the duchess rank (only during her life), when she became the queen's Chamberlady ("Camareira-Môr"), the highest palatine office for a lady.

The same occurred, later, to her daughter Maria Margarida, when she became the 2nd Duchess.

List of the Dukes of Abrantes

#Ana Maria Catarina Henriqueta de Lorena, 1st Duchess of Abrantes (1713-1761), also 3rd Marchioness of Abrantes;
#Maria Margarida de Lorena, 2nd Duchess of Abrantes (1713-1780), also 4th Marchioness of Abrantes (daughter of the 1st Duchess).

Family Name

The Duke of Abrantes family name was "de Lorena".

Other Titles

*Count of Penaguião, in February 10th, 1583, by royal decree of King Philip I of Portugal;
*Marquis of Abrantes, in June 24th, 1718, by royal decree of King John V of Portugal.

The Dukes of Abrantes (Spanish Title)

The title of Duke of Abrantes was also a Spanish title granted by King Philip IV of Spain in March 23rd, 1642 to Alphonse of Lencastre ("Afonso de Lencastre"), a Portuguese aristocrat, 2nd son of Álvaro of Lencastre, 3rd Duke of Aveiro, to reward his fidelity towards the Spanish monarchy.

Once the Habsburgs were expelled from the Portuguese throne in 1640 (two years before this title was granted), this title was never recognised in Portugal, but is still extant in Spain. The present spanish Duke of Abrantes is José Emanuel de Zuleta y Alejandro, who is also a grandee of Spain.

The Dukes of Abrantès (French Title)

Due to Portugal's refusal to join the Continental Blockade, Napolean send general Jean Andoche Junot leading an army to invade the country. Junot crossed the country towards Lisbon and he passed through the city of Abrantes. Later he got the title of Duke of Abrantès (French spelling), as a French victory title.

His wife, Laure Permont, a French writer, also used the title of "Duchess of Abrantès". This title was never recognised by the Portuguese authorities.

ee Also

*Marquis of Abrantes
*Count of Abrantes
*List of Portuguese Dukedoms

External Links

[http://www.geneall.net/P/tit_page.php?id=4 Genealogy of the Duchesses of Abrantes (in Portuguese)]