Duchy of Bavaria

(907-1805) duchy of Holy Roman Empire

The Duchy of Bavaria (German: Herzogtum Bayern) was a region ruled by dukes in the southeastern part of the Merovingian kingdom that existed from about 555–1623.

Duchy of Bavaria
Herzogtum Bayern  (German)
Ducatus Bavariae  (Latin)
c. 555–1623
Duchy of Bavaria (red, including the Austrian march) within the Holy Roman Empire circa 1000.
Duchy of Bavaria (red, including the Austrian march) within the Holy Roman Empire circa 1000.
Duchy of Bavaria within the Holy Roman Empire, 1618
Duchy of Bavaria within the Holy Roman Empire, 1618
StatusStem duchy and vassal of the Merovingians (the so-called older stem duchy) (c. 555–788)
Direct rule under the Carolingians, as Kings of Bavaria (788–843)
Stem duchy of East Francia and the Kingdom of Germany (the so-called younger stem duchy) (843–962)
State of the Holy Roman Empire (from 962)
CapitalRegensburg (until 1255)
Munich (from 1505)
Common languagesBavarian, Latin
Religion
Roman Catholic
GovernmentFeudal monarchy
Duke 
Historical eraMedieval Europe
• Garibald I as vassal of the Merovingians, first documented duke
c. 555
• Directly ruled part of the Carolingian Empire
788
• Margrave Arnulf
assumed ducal title
907
• Carinthia split off
976
1156
1180
• First partition
1255
1503
• Raised to Electorate
1623
Preceded by
Succeeded by
East Francia
Bavaria-Munich
Electorate of Bavaria
Margraviate of Austria
Prince-Bishopric of Brixen
Prince-Bishopric of Regensburg
Prince-Archbishopric of Salzburg
County of Tyrol
Bohemian Palatinate
Today part ofGermany
Austria
Italy
Slovenia