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Duke of Aubigny

The Duke of Aubigny (French: Duc d'Aubigny) is a title in the , originating as the seigneurie of Aubigny-sur-Nère granted in 1423 by King Charles VII to , a Scottish nobleman who fought for during the . The title passed through the Stewart family, a junior branch descended from the High Stewards of , and via Stewart's elevation to in , merged with the Lennox line. Elevated to a dukedom in 1684 by initially for de Kérouaille, Duchess of , the title effectively transferred upon her death in 1734 to Charles Lennox, 2nd , whose descendants have held it as a to the British Dukedom of Richmond ever since, symbolizing enduring Anglo-French noble ties despite political upheavals like the . Notable holders include military figures and statesmen, such as Charles Lennox, 4th Duke, who governed and advanced cricket's popularity, underscoring the title's association with influential Lennox family members in British history.

Origins of the Title

Establishment of the Seigneurie d'Aubigny

The seigneurie of Aubigny-sur-Nère originated as a medieval lordship in the region, initially donated by its lords to the chapter of Saint-Martin of Tours around 1080 before being acquired by the in 1180 and subsequently granted in apanage on two occasions. During the , as forces sought reinforcements under the with , King Charles VII turned to Scottish mercenaries and nobles for support against English incursions. In 1423, Charles VII granted the seigneurie of Aubigny-sur-Nère, along with Concressault, as a hereditary to Sir , a Scottish noble and constable who had arrived in with an expeditionary force in 1419 and distinguished himself in battles such as Baugé in 1421. This grant, made in recognition of Stewart's military service and to solidify Franco-Scottish ties, elevated Aubigny to a prominent Scottish enclave in , with Stewart confirmed as the first hereditary . The lordship's status was further formalized through royal confirmations, including a patent on 10 April (likely 1423) and additional validation on 30 July 1425. This establishment marked the inception of the Stewart family's enduring French holdings, transforming a former royal domain into a hereditary possession that would later evolve into the dukedom of Aubigny. Stewart's arms, incorporating French royal symbols, were granted by Charles VII in 1427, symbolizing the integration of Scottish loyalty into the French nobility. The seigneurie encompassed feudal rights over lands, revenues, and jurisdictions in Aubigny-sur-Nère, fostering a unique Franco-Scottish cultural presence that persisted for centuries.

Early Stewart Acquisition and Service to France

The Stewart family's acquisition of the seigneurie d'Aubigny stemmed from the military service of Sir John Stewart of Darnley during the Hundred Years' War. Born around 1380 as a member of a junior branch of the Scottish Stewart dynasty, Sir John joined a Scottish expeditionary force dispatched to aid France against England in October 1419. By 1420, he had risen to the position of Constable of the Scottish army in France, commanding contingents under leaders like the Earl of Buchan. Sir John's notable contributions included participation in the Battle of Baugé on 22 March 1421, where Scottish and French forces decisively defeated an English army led by the Duke of Clarence, resulting in the death of the English commander. In recognition of his valor, King Charles VII granted him the lordship of Concressault in 1421 and the seigneurie d'Aubigny-sur-Nère in 1422, establishing a lasting Stewart foothold in French territory. These grants were part of broader rewards for Scottish mercenaries bolstering the French cause, reflecting the Auld Alliance's strategic importance. Further service saw Sir John captured and wounded—losing an eye—at the on 31 July 1423, after which VII facilitated his ransom to ensure continued leadership of Scottish troops. He led a victory against the English at Mont Saint-Michel in 1426 and served as a joint ambassador to in 1427, negotiating a potential alliance between the and a Scottish princess. Sir John met his end on 12 February 1429 in a skirmish at Rouvray (known as the ), prior to the Siege of , and was buried in Cathedral. His exploits secured the Aubigny title for his heirs, intertwining Stewart fortunes with amid ongoing Anglo-French conflicts.

Stewart Seigneurs d'Aubigny

Military and Diplomatic Achievements

Sir John Stewart of Darnley, the first Seigneur d'Aubigny (c. 1380–1429), served as Constable of the Scottish army in France during the Hundred Years' War, leading forces in support of the French crown against England. He commanded at the Battle of Baugé on 22 March 1421, where Scottish troops achieved a significant victory over English forces under the Duke of Clarence, halting their advance. For successes in campaigns of 1426 and 1427, including actions against English holdings, Charles VII granted him the right to quarter the French royal arms with his own in February 1428, recognizing his contributions to French territorial recovery. Stewart was killed in action on 12 February 1429 during ongoing hostilities in France. Bernard Stewart, third Seigneur d'Aubigny (c. 1452–1508), commanded the Garde Écossaise, the elite Scottish bodyguard of the kings, from 1493 onward. In 1485, he led auxiliary troops dispatched to aid at the , contributing to the victory in the Wars of the Roses. During the , as lieutenant-general of forces, he secured a victory at the on 28 April 1495 against Spanish and Neapolitan armies, bolstering positions in . Charles VIII employed him in diplomatic missions to to strengthen the , leveraging his Stewart lineage for Franco-Scottish coordination. Robert Stewart, fifth Seigneur d'Aubigny (d. 1544), attained the rank of in 1514, a position reaffirmed by Francis I in 1515, reflecting his stature in French military hierarchy. He participated in the 1515 campaign culminating in the , where French forces, including Scottish contingents under his influence, defeated Swiss mercenaries and Milanese allies, securing French dominance in . As a Franco-Scottish commander, he directed operations during the early French invasions of , emphasizing disciplined derived from Scottish traditions. Subsequent seigneurs, such as John Stewart, fifth of the line (d. 1560), captained the Scottish Archers of the Guard from 1536, maintaining the unit's role in royal protection and expeditionary forces amid ongoing European conflicts. These achievements underscored the Stewarts' integral contributions to French military efforts, from halting English incursions to expanding influence in , while diplomatic engagements preserved ties with .

Key Figures and Their Contributions

Sir , the first Seigneur d'Aubigny (died 12 February 1429), established the family's French holdings through military service as Constable of the Scottish army in France during the . Granted the seigneury of Aubigny on 26 March 1423 by Charles VII, along with Concressault in 1421 and the county of in January 1427, these honors recognized his leadership of Scottish contingents supporting French campaigns against England; the titles were made inheritable by male heirs. His efforts exemplified the , bolstering Franco-Scottish military cooperation with Scottish troops proving decisive in several engagements. John Stewart, the third Seigneur d'Aubigny (died before 1480), continued the lineage's service as Chamberlain to the French king, Captain of the Scots Guard, and Chevalier of the , reflecting sustained administrative and ceremonial roles in the French court over decades. His progeny included Bérault Stewart, the fourth Seigneur (c. 1452–1508), who commanded the Garde Écossaise from 1493 and led forces in Charles VIII's invasion of during the 1494–1495 campaign, extending Stewart influence into continental European conflicts. Robert Stewart, fifth Seigneur d'Aubigny (c. 1470–1544), further advanced the family's military prestige by participating in the under both Charles VIII and , including service alongside kin in campaigns from 1500 onward; he was appointed in 1514, a rare honor for a Scottish-born noble that underscored the integration of Stewart lords into high French command structures. These figures collectively maintained the seigneury through loyal service to the French crown, preserving Scottish expatriate martial traditions while securing hereditary estates amid shifting alliances.

Creation and Evolution of the Dukedom

Grant by Louis XIV to Louise de Kérouaille

In January 1684, King issued elevating the existing seigneurie d'Aubigny to a dukedom-peerage (duché-pairie) in the and granted it to Louise Renée de Penancoët de Kérouaille, then Duchess of and longtime mistress of King of . This creation was undertaken at the explicit request of , who sought to secure a prestigious continental title for Louise's son by him, Charles Lennox, whom the English king had legitimized and elevated to the Dukedom of Richmond in 1675. The move reflected 's strategic interest in maintaining influence over through Louise, whom French court records indicate he had dispatched to in 1671 as a potential royal favorite to advance pro-French policies, including elements of the (1670). The dukedom encompassed the historic lordship of Aubigny-sur-Nère in , previously held by the Stewart family of Darnley since a 1423 grant by Charles VII for military services during the , but which had escheated or become available for regrant by the French crown following the extinction of the direct Stewart male line in the 1670s. As duchesse d'Aubigny, gained privileges, including precedence in the Parlement de and feudal rights over approximately 20 parishes yielding an annual revenue estimated at 20,000-30,000 livres, though these were subject to French royal oversight and later encumbrances. The title's heritability was structured to pass through the Lennox line, ensuring its transmission to Charles Lennox upon Louise's death in 1734, thereby merging Anglo-French noble interests. This grant built on an earlier conferral in December 1673, when had awarded the lesser designation of dame d'Aubigny as a preliminary honor, signaling her utility in Franco-English amid 's covert Catholic leanings and reliance on subsidies totaling over £225,000 annually by the late 1670s. However, the 1684 formalized the status, aligning with 's pattern of using titles to reward agents of influence, as seen in contemporaneous grants to other court favorites; contemporaries noted the duchy's symbolic value in binding the illegitimate heir to , potentially as a contingency for dynastic or purposes. No direct parliamentary registration delays are recorded, unlike some later Aubigny successions, affirming the grant's immediate legal effect under .

Merger with the Lennox and Richmond Lines

The Dukedom of Aubigny, originally granted as a pairie of to Louise de Kérouaille, Duchesse de , in 1684 by , remained in her possession until her death on November 14, 1734. As the illegitimate son of and Kérouaille, Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond and Lennox (1672–1723), had been created with British peerages in 1675 but predeceased his mother without inheriting her French titles. Upon Kérouaille's death, the Aubigny title and associated estates passed by special remainder to her grandson, Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond and Lennox (1701–1750), who thus became the 2nd Duc d'Aubigny. This inheritance effectively merged the French Dukedom of Aubigny with the Dukedoms of (created 1675) and (recreated 1675), all now held by a single individual descended from the Stuart and royal lines through Kérouaille's liaison with . The 2nd Duke, who succeeded his father in 1723 and his grandmother in 1734, thereby consolidated the titles under the family, which traced its lineage to earlier Scottish earls of and held estates in both and . This union marked the transition of Aubigny from its independent tenure—previously linked to the Stewart seigneurs—to integration with Anglo-Scottish peerages, facilitating cross-channel holdings despite differing legal frameworks between French pairie and . The merger strengthened the family's trans-national status, with the 2nd Duke leveraging Aubigny to extend influence in , including diplomatic and masonic activities, while maintaining primary bases at in and Lennox estates in . Subsequent holders, upon the 2nd Duke's death in 1750 without male issue, saw the titles pass to his brother George Henry temporarily before stabilizing in the direct line, ensuring Aubigny's perpetual attachment to and Lennox until French revolutionary disruptions. This linkage persisted through 18th-century successions, underscoring the enduring dynastic ties forged by royal illegitimacy and strategic royal grants.

Lennox Dukes of Aubigny

17th-19th Century Holders and Political Roles

Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond and Lennox (1701–1750), succeeded his grandmother Louise de Kérouaille as Duke d'Aubigny on 14 November 1734, marking the integration of the French title into the Lennox family line under British peerage succession. As a prominent aristocrat, he held court positions including Lord of the Bedchamber to from 1727 and from 1735. His military career advanced rapidly, with appointments as to both and , in 1739, in 1742, and by 1745; he served under the during the Hanoverian campaigns against the Jacobites. His son, Charles Lennox, 3rd Duke of Richmond and Lennox (1735–1806), inherited the titles upon his father's death in 1750 and held Aubigny as part of the male-line succession. A career soldier rising to , he participated in the 1758 raid on during the . In diplomacy, he served as ambassador extraordinary to France in 1765 and briefly as for the Southern Department in 1766 under the Rockingham ministry. He also acted as of , influencing local governance. Lacking legitimate male heirs, the 3rd Duke's nephew Charles Lennox (1764–1819) succeeded as 4th Duke of Richmond and Lennox in 1806 and was confirmed in the Aubigny title under French Salic law principles by Louis XVIII post-Restoration. A general in the , he represented in , opposing the 1802 . Appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in April 1807, his tenure focused on administrative stability amid debates, resisting broader reforms. In 1818, he became Governor-in-Chief of and Commander-in-Chief of forces there on 8 May, overseeing defenses during post-War of 1812 tensions until his death in 1819. The 4th Duke's son, Charles Gordon-Lennox, 5th Duke of Richmond and Lennox (1791–1860), assumed the titles in 1819, maintaining Aubigny through paternal inheritance. He pursued a military path, serving as at in 1815, and later entered politics as from 22 November 1830 to 5 July 1834 under the administration, managing postal reforms amid Whig governance. Admitted to the in 1830, he supported conservative positions in the .
DukeReign (Aubigny via Lennox)Key Political/Military Roles
2nd (Charles Lennox)1734–1750Master of the Horse (1735); Lt. Gen. (1745); campaigns under Cumberland.
3rd (Charles Lennox)1750–1806Southern Secretary (1766); ambassador to France (1765); .
4th (Charles Lennox)1806–1819Lord Lt. (1807–1813); Gov.-in-Chief (1818–1819).
5th (Charles Gordon-Lennox)1819–1860 (1830–1834); Privy Councillor (1830).

Challenges During the French Revolution and Restoration

The Dukedom of Aubigny faced severe challenges during the , as revolutionary decrees abolished noble titles and feudal privileges. On the Night of 4 August 1789, the National Constituent Assembly renounced aristocratic privileges, including seigneuries like Aubigny, effectively nationalizing associated estates as for sale to fund the state and redistribute land. By June 1790, hereditary nobility was formally suppressed, rendering the title extinct in and stripping the Lennox family—holders through the British Duke of Richmond line—of legal claims to the domain in Aubigny-sur-Nère. The estates, encompassing lands, châteaux, and revenues historically granted to the Stewarts and later the Lennoxes, were auctioned off piecemeal, complicating future recovery due to transfers to new private owners under revolutionary law. Efforts to reclaim the title and properties persisted amid the but encountered diplomatic and military obstacles. Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond and titular Duke of Aubigny since merging the lines, actively pursued restitution; envoy Anthony Merry advocated for the family's claim to the estates during the era, citing the original 1684 grant by to Louise de Kérouaille. However, ongoing Anglo- hostilities—exacerbated by Lennox's own role as a general commanding forces against —thwarted progress, with the title re-confiscated during wartime periods from 1806 to 1814. The family's foreign status and Britain's status as a belligerent power rendered legal arguments untenable under Napoleonic codes prioritizing national sovereignty over pre-revolutionary entitlements. Restoration under the Bourbons brought partial vindication. Following Napoleon's defeat, , seeking to legitimize his regime through gestures to nobility, issued an ordinance on 18 March 1818 restoring the peerage dignity of Duc d'Aubigny to , affirming the family's hereditary rights despite revolutionary interruptions. This act symbolized reconciliation with and allied aristocrats but yielded limited material gains, as most lands remained with revolutionary purchasers protected by indemnity laws. 's death on 28 August 1819, mere months later, passed the revived title to his son, Charles Gordon-, 5th , amid ongoing fiscal strains from wartime sales and legal disputes over residual claims. The highlighted causal tensions between ideological rupture and monarchical pragmatism, with the title surviving as a ceremonial honor rather than a fully reconstituted estate.

Modern Holders and Legacy

20th-21st Century Succession

The Dukedom of Aubigny, claimed in pretence by the Dukes of Richmond and Gordon since the French Revolution, followed the line of succession to the British peerages in the 20th century. Upon the death of Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, 7th Duke of Richmond and 7th Duke of Aubigny, on 18 January 1928, he was succeeded by his eldest son, Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, as 8th Duke of Richmond, 8th Duke of Lennox, 3rd Duke of Gordon, and 8th Duke of Aubigny. The 8th Duke held the titles until his death on 7 May 1935, after which his son, Frederick Charles Gordon-Lennox, acceded as 9th Duke of Richmond, 9th Duke of Lennox, 4th Duke of Gordon, and 9th Duke of Aubigny. The 9th Duke's tenure lasted until his death on 2 November 1989 in , , leading to the succession of his only son, Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, as 10th Duke of Richmond, 10th Duke of Lennox, 5th Duke of Gordon, and 10th Duke of Aubigny. The 10th Duke maintained the family's claim to Aubigny while overseeing estates like Goodwood, dying on 1 September 2017 at age 87. He was immediately succeeded by his eldest son, Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, born 8 January 1955, as 11th Duke of Richmond, 11th Duke of Lennox, 6th Duke of Gordon, and 11th Duke of Aubigny. In the , the 11th Duke continues to hold the titular French dukedom alongside his British titles, with succession governed by male . His is his eldest son, Charles Henry Valentine Palmer Gordon-Lennox, and Kinrara, born 8 January 1994. No formal recognition from French authorities has occurred since the , but the family upholds the claim through heraldic and genealogical continuity.

Current Duke: Charles Gordon-Lennox

Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox (born 8 January 1955) succeeded to the Dukedom of Aubigny on 1 September 2017 upon the death of his father, Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, 10th , thereby becoming the 11th Duke of Aubigny in the , alongside his British titles as 11th and Lennox and 6th . Born to the then-Earl and Countess of , he was educated at and initially styled Lord Settrington until 1989, then Earl of and Kinrara until his father's passing. As holder of the Aubigny title—a subsidiary honor tracing to the 1684 grant by Louis XIV to Louise de Kérouaille, later merged with the Lennox peerages—Gordon-Lennox maintains the family's Franco-British noble lineage without formal recognition under modern French law, which abolished hereditary privileges after the Revolution. His custodianship emphasizes preservation of ancestral estates and heritage, particularly through oversight of Goodwood House in West Sussex, seat of the dukes since the 17th century, where he assumed management responsibilities in 1994. Gordon-Lennox founded the in 1993 and the in 1998, annual events showcasing historic vehicles and aviation that have drawn international acclaim for sustaining mechanical traditions amid regulatory pressures on . He serves as president of the British Automobile Racing Club and patron of related organizations, extending the family's legacy of innovation in land and air pursuits. In recognition of these efforts, he received the Commander of the (CBE) in 2024 for contributions to heritage, sport, and charity. The to Aubigny and principal titles is his son, Charles Henry Gordon Lennox, and Kinrara (born 20 December 1994).

Genealogical and Heraldic Aspects

Connections to British Peerages

The Dukedom of Aubigny became linked to British peerages through inheritance by the Lennox family, who hold the Dukedoms of and . Upon the death of Louise de Kérouaille, Duchess of Portsmouth and initial holder of the Aubigny title, on 14 November 1734, the dukedom and its estates passed to her grandson, Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond and 2nd Duke of Lennox. This succession integrated the French title with the British Dukedoms of Richmond and Lennox, both created on 9 August 1675 for Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond, the son of Louise de Kérouaille and King Charles II of England. The association endured through the male line, despite the abolition of French peerages during the Revolution (1790–1814), with the title's recognition resuming under the Bourbon Restoration for the Lennox heirs. In 1876, the 6th Duke of Richmond and Lennox was additionally created Duke of Gordon, establishing the unique position of the family head holding four dukedoms: Richmond, Lennox, Gordon, and Aubigny. This multiplicity exceeds that of any other British noble house, underscoring the cross-Channel ties forged by 17th-century royal connections. The current holder, Charles Gordon Lennox, 11th Duke of Richmond, continues to bear the Dukedom of Aubigny as a subsidiary French title.

Family Lineage Overview

The Dukedom of Aubigny, created on 9 September 1684 (registered 10 September) by Louis XIV for Louise Renée de Penancoët de Kérouaille (1649–1734), Duchess of Portsmouth, has followed the male-line descent of her son Charles Lennox and his legitimate heirs, paralleling the British Dukedoms of Richmond (created 1675) and Lennox (restored 1675). Although Louise held the title during her lifetime, the ducal succession is conventionally numbered from her son as the 1st Duke d'Aubigny, with formal French possession vesting in the 2nd Duke upon her death in 1734; the 3rd Duke received explicit recognition from Louis XVI in 1776. The lineage remained intact through primogeniture, unaffected genealogically by the abolition of French peerages during the Revolution (1790) or subsequent restorations, merging with the Dukedom of Gordon in 1876 via inheritance from the female-line Gordon descent. Prior to the 1684 creation, the Seigneurie d'Aubigny (erected 1423 by Charles VII for military service in the ) was held by the Stewart family of Darnley, a of the Scottish royal house whose lords d'Aubigny (elevated 1547) included forebears of the pre-1672 Dukes of Lennox; the estate was sold in 1672 following the death of the last Stewart seigneur, enabling the later ducal regrant. The post-1684 lineage thus represents a distinct , held extraterritorially by the Anglo-Scottish Lennox-Gordon family without collateral branches claiming the title. The succession of Dukes d'Aubigny (with corresponding Richmond numbering and lifespan) is as follows:
#NameLifespanSuccession Notes
1stCharles Lennox1672–1723Illegitimate son of Charles II; British dukedoms 1675; titular Aubigny via mother's grant.
2ndCharles Lennox1701–1750Eldest son of 1st; succeeded to French possession 1734.
3rdCharles Lennox1735–1806Son of 2nd; formal French recognition 1776.
4thCharles Lennox1764–1819Son of 3rd.
5thCharles Gordon-Lennox1791–1860Son of 4th; adopted Gordon surname post-1817 Gordon marriage.
6thCharles Henry Gordon-Lennox1818–1903Son of 5th.
7thCharles Henry Gordon-Lennox1845–1928Son of 6th.
8thCharles Henry Gordon-Lennox1870–1935Son of 7th.
9thFrederick Charles Gordon-Lennox1904–1989Son of 8th.
10thCharles Henry Gordon-Lennox1929–2017Son of 9th.
11thCharles Gordon-Lennoxb. 1955Son of 10th; current holder as of 2025.
This unbroken patrilineal chain, confirmed in peerage records, underscores the title's continuity despite the loss of territorial after 1789.

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