Prince of Arches and Charleville

Prince of Arches and Charleville is a noble title associated with Charleville-Mézières in France and now held by the Duke of Ursel in Belgium.[1] The title originates with Charles Gonzaga (Gonzagues), Duke of Mantua, who was also Duke of Rethel, a title which included the lordship of Arches, named after a small hamlet. In 1608 Charles elevated this lordship to the sovereign Principality of Arches with himself as first Prince and his new town of Charleville (now Charleville-Mézières) as its capital. The third prince, Charles Ferdinand, died in 1708 without issue; the territory was annexed by the Kingdom of France, while the title Prince of Arches and Charleville continued in the French nobility. The title was inherited by the Duke of Ursel of the Belgian nobility, although the Kingdom of Belgium does not recognise it.[2] Henri, 8th Duke d'Ursel used Henri d'Arches as a pseudonym when making films.[3]

  1. ^ Études presentées à la Commission internationale pour l'histoire des assembleés d'états, Volumes 48-50
  2. ^ Études presentées à la Commission internationale pour l'histoire des assembleés d'états, Volumes 48-50
  3. ^ "Henri d' Ursel".