Principality

A principality (or sometimes princedom) is a type of monarchical state or feudal territory ruled by a prince or princess. It can be either a sovereign state or a constituent part of a larger political entity. The term "principality" is often used to describe small monarchies, particularly those in Europe, where the ruler holds the title of prince or an equivalent.

Historically, principalities emerged during the Middle Ages as part of the feudal system, where local princes gained significant power within a king's domain. This led to political fragmentation and the creation of mini-states. Over time, many of these principalities consolidated into larger kingdoms and empires, while others retained their independence and prospered.

Sovereign principalities which exist today include Liechtenstein, Monaco, and the co-principality of Andorra. Additionally, some royal primogenitures, such as Asturias in Spain, are styled as principalities. The term is also used generically for small monarchies ruled by a monarch of a lesser rank than a king, such as a grand duke.

Principalities have played a significant role in European history, particularly within the Holy Roman Empire, but they fell out of favour with the development of nationalism in the 19th and 20th centuries. The concept of a principality has also been applied in various forms across different regions and historical periods.

Most of these states have historically been a polity, but on some occasions, they were rather territories in respect of which a princely title is held. The prince's estate and wealth may be located mainly or wholly outside the geographical confines of the principality.

Generally recognised surviving sovereign principalities are Liechtenstein, Monaco, and the co-principality of Andorra. Extant royal primogenitures styled as principalities include Asturias (Spain). The Principality of Wales existed in the northern and western areas of Wales between the 13th and 16th centuries; the Laws in Wales Act 1535 which legally incorporated Wales within England removed the distinction between those areas and the March of Wales.

The Principality of Catalonia was a state located in the north-eastern area of the Iberian Peninsula and southern France between the late 12th and early 18th centuries, as the term for the political entity ruled by the Catalan Courts (the parliament) as a member of the composite monarchy of the Crown of Aragon, until the defeat of the Habsburgs in the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714), when the Bourbons abolished these institutions due to their support for the Habsburg pretender. "Principality of Asturias" is the official name of the autonomous community of Asturias. However, the term "Principality of Catalonia" or simply "Principality" remains in popular and informal contexts to refer to the autonomous community of Catalonia.

The term "principality" is also sometimes used generically for any small monarchy, especially for small sovereign states ruled by a monarch of a lesser rank than a king, such as a Fürst (usually translated in English as "prince"), as in Liechtenstein, or a Grand Duke. No sovereign duchy currently exists, but Luxembourg is a surviving example of a sovereign grand duchy. Historically, there have been sovereign principalities with many styles of rulers, such as Countship, Margraviate, and even Lordship, especially within the Holy Roman Empire.