Duke

a title of nobility ranking below that of Prince. The term is akin to the Venetian doge and the French duc. All three are derived from the Latin dux, a military leader. The younger sons of the sovereign of the United Kingdom are dukes. About thirty English dukes sit in the House of Lords by right of birth. The Irish and Scotch dukes select a part of their number. The first English duke was Edward, the Black Prince, who was made Duke of Cornwall in 1337. Dukes are created by the sovereign. On state occasions a duke is permitted to wear a coronet, consisting of a band of fine gold surmounted by eight strawberry leaves of the same metal. The top may or may not be closed by a velvet cap. In Austria the dukes of the royal family are called archdukes. In Russia, they are called grand-dukes. In Germany the title is held only by five persons. Each is the ruler of an independent principality. See Precedence