List of counts of Albon and dauphins of Viennois

Coat of Arms of the Dauphins of Viennois.

The Counts of Albon (Comtes d'Albon) were French nobles in south-eastern France, in the Rhône Alps region.

Under Guigues IV, Count of Albon, who was nicknamed le Dauphin or the Dolphin from the dolphin on his coat of arms, they took a new hereditary title, Dauphin of Viennois (Dauphin de Viennois), named for the region around Vienne, where they ruled. The collective lands ruled by the Dauphins of Viennois became known as the Dauphiny (le Dauphiné).

The titles and lands, many of which were within the legal boundaries of the Holy Roman Empire rather than of the kingdom of France, were all sold to King Philip VI of France in 1349, on condition that the heir to the French crown always be named Dauphin, and be personal holder of the lands and titles. By condition of the Emperor, the Dauphiny could never be united to France. When the King of France had no son, he would personally rule the Dauphiny separately, as Dauphin.

Lords of Château d'Albon

House of Albon

Counts of Albon

House of Albon

Counts of Albon and Dauphins of Viennois

House of Albon

House of Burgundy

House of La Tour du Pin

Humbert I of Viennois

Humbert II sold his lands and titles to Philip VI of France.

Dauphins of Viennois and Dauphins of France

House of Valois

See also

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