The title Duke of Brabant was created when the counts of Leuven/Louvain acquired the duchy of Lower Lorraine after the death of Godfrey of Bouillon. "Their claim to ducal office arrived more obviously through wives of eleventh-century counts of Louvain: Lambert I’s wife Gerberge, a daughter of Duke Charles; and Lambert II’s wife Oda, a daughter of Duke Gozelo" [1].
From Henry I onwards, as the importance of Lower Lorraine fell, the counts of Leuven started to name themselves after Brabant, the region in which Leuven is located. In 1288, the dukes of Brabant become also dukes of Limburg.
House of Louvain
- Godfrey I (1095-1139)
- Godfrey II (1139-1142)
- Godfrey III (1142-1190)
- Henry I (1190-1235)
- Henry II (1235-1248)
- Henry III (1248-1261)
- Henry IV (1261-1267)
- John I (1267-1294)
- John II (1294-1312)
- John III (1312-1355)
- Joan, Duchess of Brabant (1355-1406)
In modern times, the title Duke of Brabant is held by the crown prince of Belgium.
See also: Dukes of Brabant family tree
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