The Duchy of Walden-Herrenberg-Geldt

The Duchy of Walden-Herrenberg-Geldt was a sovereign state from 1402 until it's unification with the Duchy of Oster in 1603. It was reigned over by the House of Geisse and later by the Dukes of Oster. The title of 'Duke of Walden-Herrenberg-Geldt continued to exist until 1805.

History
The Duchy of Walden-Herrenberg-Geldt was formed by the House of Geisse from it's three provinces of Walden, Herrenberg and The Geldt in 1402 and was recognised by many neighbouring states as a sovereign state. Located on the east of the River Oster, it shared many links with the neighbouring Duchy of Oster. The House of Geisse reigned in the duchy with their primary residence and capital at Herrenberg Castle until 1602 when the last reigning duke died without male issue. According to the succession laws of the duchy, only males could inherit and whilst claimants stated that these laws had been altered in 1567, no evidence could be found. The succession was challenged by Felix III of the House of Oster who felt that a 1589 treaty gave him control over the Duchy. This was opposed by the acting head of state Margriet of Geisse and Felix led an army into the duchy to take possession of the provinces. This unification was recognised at the Council of Frankfurt in 1602 and the Duchy ceased to exist, becoming a part of the new Duchy of Oster.

Titular Dukes
Following her defeat, Margriet of Geisse left the duchy for an abbey in Germany where she died in 1623. As Head of the Geisse family, she still possessed the title of Duchess of Walden-Herrenberg-Geldt which she willed to her nephew, Charles. He also inherited Herrenberg Castle where the titular Dukes of Walden-Herrenberg-Geldt lived until 1805 when the family line died out and the title became extinct. Despite the foundation of the Oster Republic in 1703, the Dukes of Walden-Herrenberg-Geldt did not lose their family estate though their title was officially abolished in 1782 only to be overturned six months later. Following the creation of the Kingdom of the Osterlands in 1815, the titles of Duke of Walden, Duke of Herrenberg and Duke of the Geldt were created as three seperate duchies in the gift of the sovereign.

List of Titular Dukes of Walden-Herrenberg-Geldt, 1623 - 1805

 * Charles I (1601 - 1674),  1623 - 1674 
 * Edwin I, (1627 - 1680), 1674 - 1680
 * Edwin II, (1646 - 1691), 1680 - 1691
 * Charles II Ernst, (1673 - 1752), 1691 - 1752
 * Charles III August, (1702 - 1777), 1752 - 1777
 * Charles IV Frederick (1730 - 1798), 1777 - 1798
 * Charles V Frederick (1757 - 1805), 1798 - 1805