Duke of Gascony

Coat of arms of the Duke of Gascony

Duke of Gascony (Batavian: Hertog van Gasconje) is a title of nobility in the Imperial Peerage of Shireroth, created for and currently held by His Illustriousness Hendrik Leopold des Vinandy, King of Batavia, through the Treaty of Raynor's Keep in 1711 AN.

The territory of the Duke consists of certain properties: Blanckenhof Palace, Château Steenvoorde, Château des Vinandy and Jachtslot Wildenstein. It is very possible that the region of Gascony will in the future be brought under the Duchy of Gascony.

Genealogy and orders of succession

• Hendrik Leopold des Vinandy (1645–1730) 1st Duke of Gascony (1711–1730)
  • Frederik Alfons (1688– ), considered 2nd Duke of Gascony by imperial authorities
    • Willem August des Vinandy (1725– )
    • Wilhelmina Victoria des Vinandy (1725– )
    • Maurits Frederik des Vinandy (1726– )
    • Clara Cornelia des Vinandy (1728– )
    • Maximiliaan des Vinandy (1729– )
    • Mathilda Helena des Vinandy (1731– )
    • Maria Theresia des Vinandy (1734– )
  • Sofia Leonor (1690– )
  • Willem Antonius (1694– ) claimed 2nd Duke of Gascony (1730-1744)
    • Aliande Sirithilion (1726– )
    • Karel Frederik (1726– ), claimed heir-apparent
    • Hendrik Willem (1730– )
  • Clarissa Isabella (1694– )
    • Mehmed Çakar (♂, 1725– )
    • Elena Çakar (♀, 1728– )

Succession Dispute

The imperial peerage was established under imperial law and was thus thought to be governed by the rules of imperial law (i.e. absolute primogeniture).

Through the Secunda divisio des Vinandy, the succession was arranged. As a result, Frederik Alfons was passed over and so were all female descendants. The internal des Vinandy family division had not reached the Kaiseress, nor had she been asked to ratify it. As such, under imperial law, technically, succession follows the general rules for succession, in which the most senior legitimate heir, regardless of gender, inherits.

Upon the death of Hendrik Leopold des Vinandy in 1730, this situation became awkward for all parties. Raynor's Keep did not wish to have its authority over imperial peerages undermined, clearly stated in imperial law, but at the same time did not wish to upset the fragile family dynamics in the des Vinandy family.

Princes Ichirō and Rubin were dispatched to 's Koningenwaarde to work the Batavian parties and make representations on behalf of the Kaiseress.

Order of succession according to the Secunda Divisio

• Hendrik Leopold des Vinandy (1645–1730) 1st Duke of Gascony (1711–1730)
  • Frederik Alfons (1688– )
  • Sofia Leonor (1690– )
  • Willem Antonius (1694– ), 2nd Duke of Gascony' (1730– )
    • Aliande Sirithilion (1726– )
    • (1) Karel Frederik des Vinandy (1726– )
    • (2) Hendrik Willem des Vinandy (1730– )
  • Clarissa Isabella (1694– )
    • Mehmed Çakar (♂, 1725– )
    • Elena Çakar (♀, 1728– )

The Secunda Divisio was annulled in 1744 AN.

Order of succession according to imperial law

• Hendrik Leopold des Vinandy (1645–1730) 1st Duke of Gascony (1711–1730)
  • Frederik Alfons (1688– ), 2nd Duke
    • (1) Willem August des Vinandy (1725– )
    • (2) Wilhelmina Victoria des Vinandy (1725– )
    • (3) Maurits Frederik des Vinandy (1726– )
    • (4) Clara Cornelia des Vinandy (1728– )
    • (5) Maximiliaan des Vinandy (1729– )
    • (6) Mathilda Helena des Vinandy (1731– )
    • (7) Maria Theresia des Vinandy (1734– )
  • (8) Sofia Leonor (1690– )
  • (9) Willem Antonius (1694– ) claimed 2nd Duke of Gascony (1730-1744)
    • (10) Aliande Sirithilion (1726– )
    • (11) Karel Frederik (1726– ), claimed heir-apparent
    • (12) Hendrik Willem (1730– )
  • (13) Clarissa Isabella (1694– )
    • (14) Mehmed Çakar (♂, 1725– )
    • (15) Elena Çakar (♀, 1728– )