Misplaced Pages

Personal union: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 20:25, 15 January 2005 edit208.138.20.12 (talk) →[]← Previous edit Latest revision as of 06:00, 9 January 2025 edit undoWikiCleanerBot (talk | contribs)Bots928,066 editsm v2.05b - Bot T20 CW#61 - Fix errors for CW project (Reference before punctuation)Tag: WPCleaner 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Situation of two states sharing a monarch without merging}}
__NOTOC__
{{About|the political arrangement|the Christian theological teaching|Hypostatic union|and|Prosopon}}
A '''personal union''' consists of two or more entities that are internationally considered separate ]s, only sharing the same ] (and thence also sharing whatever political actions are vested in the Head of State, but no, or at least extremely few, others). It is not to be confused with a ] (like the ]), which is internationally considered a single state.
{{More citations needed|date=July 2015}}


{{Monarchism |related}}
Personal unions can arise for very different reasons, ranging from near coincidence (a princess who is already married to a king becomes a queen regnant, and their child inherits the crown of both countries) to virtual annexation (where a personal union sometimes was seen as a means of preventing uprisings). They can also be codified (the constitutions of the states clearly express that they shall be joined together) or non-codified (in which case they can easily be broken by ''e.g.'' different succession rules).
{{Basic forms of government}}


A '''personal union''' is a combination of two or more ] ] that have the same ] while their boundaries, laws, and interests remain distinct.<ref name="oppenheim1">{{cite book |last1=Oppenheim |first1=Lassa |last2=Roxbrough |first2 = Ronald |title = International Law: A Treatise |publisher=The Lawbook Exchange |year=2005 |isbn=978-1584776093 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=vxJ1Jwmyw0EC&pg=PA154 |access-date=13 June 2013 }}</ref> A ], by contrast, involves the constituent states being to some extent interlinked, such as by sharing some limited governmental institutions. Unlike a personal union, in a ] or a ], a central (federal) government spanning all member states exists, with the degree of self-governance distinguishing the two. The ruler in a personal union does not need to be a hereditary monarch.{{NoteTag|In the Holy Roman Empire, many ]s had themselves elected to separate ]s, which they ruled in a personal union. For example, ] (1671–1723) was ] (1685–1694), ] (1685–1694), ] (1688–1723), ] (1694–1723) and ] (1702–1723).}}
Because presidents of republics are ordinarily chosen from within the citizens of the state in question, personal unions are almost entirely a phenomenon of ]. With the decline of their number during the ], personal unions have become quite uncommon. Where they do exist, most notably between the so-called ]s, they are now mostly ceremonial, as the ], who is the representative of the Head of State, has only marginal political power.


The term was coined by German jurist ], introducing it into ''Elementa iuris publici germanici'' (Elements of German Public Law) of 1760.<ref>{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=qT7z4MZIB0wC&pg=PA8 |title = Hanover and the British Empire, 1700–1837 |last=Harding |first=Nick |year = 2007 |publisher = Boydell & Brewer |isbn=978-1843833000 |language=en }}</ref>
There is a somewhat grey area between personal unions and federations, and the one has regularly grown into the other. This article is an attempt at listing some historical and contemporary personal unions.


Personal unions can arise for several reasons, such as:
{{compactTOC2}}


* inheritance through a ], e.g. ] inherited ] from ] and ] from ]
* ], where ex-colonies install the monarch of the former colonizing power as their own upon becoming independent, e.g. several former members of the ] (then becoming ]s)
* ], e.g. instead of annexing ] into the ], ] organized Finland as ] and acted as its ]<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gadolin |first1=A. De |title=The Solution of the Karelian Refugee Problem in Finland |year=2012 |publisher=Springer Science & Business Media |isbn=978-9401179645 |page=2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xQLZBAAAQBAJ |access-date=19 July 2022 |language=en}}</ref>


They can also be ] (i.e., the constitutions of the states clearly express that they shall share the same person as head of state) or non-codified, in which case they can easily be broken (e.g., by the death of the monarch when the two states have different ]).
== ] ==
* Personal union (not universally recognized) with ] from ] to ] (when republic was proclaimed)
* Personal union (not universally recognized) with ] from ] to ]


The concept of a personal union has only very rarely crossed over from monarchies into ]s.
== ] ==
* ''Partial'' personal union with ] since ] (the French president, and formerly the king of France, is one of the Heads of State in Andorra)


There are currently two personal unions in the world: the 15 ]s, who share ] as their head of state, and one of the ] being the ].
== ] ==
* The ]s, officially a personal union since ], presently with ], the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ], ] and the ]


==Monarchies in personal union==
== ] ==
===Africa===
* The ]s, officially a personal union since ], presently with ], the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ], ] and the ]
====Congo Free State and Belgium====
* Personal union with Belgium from 1885 to 1908, when the ] became a Belgian colony. The only sovereign during this period was ], who continued as king of Belgium until his death a year later in 1909.


== ] == ===Asia===
====Georgia====
* Personal union with ] from ] to ] (the ''dual monarchy'' of ])
* ] and ] were connected power of the monarch in 300–90 years BCE (]).
* ] and ] were connected power of the monarch in 109 BCE-64 CE.
* 1000–1010 ] and ] ruled by ]. In 1010 it united (together with the annexed ]) into a single ].
*] were connected power of the monarch in 1020s–1104.
* ] and ] in the 1557–1660 years under the rule of the ].
* ] and ] united under the rule of a single monarch in 1513–1520 (]), 1625–1633 (]), 1648–1658 (]), 1660–1664 (]), 1723 (]), to finally unite the ] in 1762 under the reign of ] and his descendants.
* ] and ] united under the rule of a single monarch in 1681–1683 (]), 1701–1702, 1713–1714 (]) and 1720 (]).


== ] == ====Goryeo====
* Personal union with ] in the ] (1308–1313; ])
* The ]s, officially a personal union since ], presently with ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ], ] and the ]
** As King of Goryeo (高麗國王) and King of Shenyang (瀋陽王) in 1308–1310
** As King of Goryeo and King of Shen (瀋王) in 1310–1313


King Chungseon reigned as King of Goryeo in 1298 and 1308–1313 and as King of Shenyang or King of Shen from 1307 (according to the '']'') or 1308 (according to '']'') to 1316. At that time, Goryeo had already become a vassal of Mongol Empire and Mongol imperial family and the Goryeo royal family had close relationship by marriages of convenience. Because he was a very powerful man during ]'s reign, he could become the King of Shenyang where many Korean people lived in ]. However, he lost his power in the Mongol imperial court after the death of the Külüg Khan. Because the ] made ] abdicate the crown of the Goryeo in 1313, the personal union was ended. ], Chungseon's eldest son, became the new King of Goryeo. In 1316, the Mongol Empire made Chungseon abdicate the crown of Shen in favour of ], one of his nephews, resulting in him becoming the new King of Shen.
== ] ==
* The ]s, officially a personal union since ], presently with ], ], the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ], ] and the ]


== ] == ===Europe===
====Albania====
* The ]s, officially a personal union since ], presently with ], ], the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ], ] and the ]
* ] personal union with the ] (1272–1368)
* Personal union with ] (1939–1943).


== ] == ====Andorra====
Due to Andorra's special government form resulting from the ], it is a ] with ]. One of them is the ], the other was originally the ]. It is through this feudal co-prince that the Principality has entered partial personal union with:
* The ]s, officially a personal union since ], presently with ], ], the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ], ] and the ]


* ] (1479–1620, then integrated into France).
== ] ==
* ] (1589–1792, ], ], ]).
* Personal union with ] from ] to ] (when Norway was officially incorporated into the Danish kingdom, often called ])
* The ] with ] and ] from ] to ] (sometimes defunct)
* The kings of Denmark at the same time being dukes of ] and ] ]-]. (Holstein being part of the ])
* Personal union with ] from ] (broken out of Denmark) to ]


In 1607 the feudal co-prince was ], who issued an edict that his position should be held by the French Head of State. While during the ], the ] did not take up the title, all versions of France since 1806 regardless of their government form have accepted that their head of state is an ex officio co-prince. This led to personal unions with:
== ] ==
* Personal union with ] from ] (when Ireland was raised to the level of a kingdom) to ]
* Personal union with ] from ] to ] (when they were joined together in the ])
* Personal union with the ] from 1672 to 1702, with the King of England, Scotland and Ireland also serving as Stadtholder of most of the provinces of the Netherlands. The actual situation was slightly more complex with the Dutch provinces ], ] and ] entering into personal union in ], ] and ] in ] and ] in ]. Only 2 Dutch provinces never entered into the personal union: ] and ].


* ] and ] French Empires (1806–1814, ] and 1852–1870).
== ] ==
* ], ], ] and ] ] (1848–1852, 1870–1940, 1944–1958, since 1958).
* Personal union (not universally recognized) with ] from ] to ]
* ] (known as ], 1940–1944, in dispute with ]).
* Personal union (not universally recognized) with ] from ] to ]


== ] == ====Austria====
* Personal union with ] (1260–1276, 1306–1307, 1438–1439, 1453–1457, and 1526–1918).
* Personal union with ] from ] (ceded from Sweden) to ] <!-- the Tsar abdicated in 1917 and Finland declared her independence in 1917, but the revolutionary government didn't recognize Finland's independence until Januray 4th -->
* Personal union with ] (1437–1439, 1444–1457, and 1526–1918).
* Personal union with ] (1714–1795).
* Personal union with ] (1519–1521).
* Personal union with ] (1714–1735), ] (1714–1720), ] (1720–1735), ] (1735–1748), ] (1797–1805) and ] (1814–1859)
* Personal union with ] (1699–1868), ] (1718–1739), ] (1772–1918), ] (1774–1918), ] (1795–1809), ] (1797–1805 and 1814–1918) and ] (1878/1908–1918).


== ] == ====Bohemia====
* Personal union with Poland under Polish occupation (1003–1004).
* ''Partial'' personal union with ] since ] (the French president is one of the Heads of State in Andorra)
* Personal union with Poland (1296–1306) and Hungary (1305).
* Personal union with Luxembourg (1313–1378, 1383–1388).
* Personal union with Hungary 1419–1437 (]) and 1490–1526 (]).
* Personal union with Austria and Hungary 1438–1439 (]), 1453–1457 (]) and 1526–1918 (] during 1619–1620 by ] and 1741–1743 by ]).


====Brandenburg====
== ] ==
* Personal union with ] from ] to ] (when they were joined together in the ]) * Personal union with the ] (1415 to 1440, 1470 to 1486).
* Personal union with the ] from 1618, when ], died without male heirs and his son-in-law ], became ruler of both countries. Brandenburg and Prussia maintained separate governments and seats of power in Berlin and ] respectively until 1701, when ] ].
* Personal union with ] from ] to ]


== ] == ====Catalonia====
* Personal union, as the ], with the ] (1164) the ] (1229), and the ] (1238) constituting together the ] (1164-1715)
* The ]s, officially a personal union since ], presently with ], ], the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ], ] and the ]
* Personal union with the ] (1516-1714)
* Personal union with the ] (1641-1652)


====Croatia====
== ] ==
{{Main|Pacta conventa (Croatia)|Croatia in the union with Hungary}}
* Personal union with ] and ] from ] to ]
* Personal union with the ] from ] to ] * Personal union with the ] (1102–1918).


====Denmark====
== ] ==
* Personal union with ] (986–995, 1000–1014, 1028–1035, 1042–1047, 1380–1397, 1397–1523 (]) and 1524–1814 (]).
* Personal union with ] from ] to ]
* Personal union with ] (1013–1014, 1018–1035 (]) and 1040–1042).
* Personal union with ] (1240-1329, 1340–1346).
* Personal union with ] (1397–1523 (]).
* Personal union with ] (1086–1364, 1460–1864) and County/] (1460–1864).
* Personal union with ] (1448, 1667–1773).
* Personal union with ] (1443-1448).
* Personal union with ] (1814).
* Personal union with ] (1814–1864).
* Personal union with ] (1918–1944).


== ] == ====England====
* Personal union with ] from ] to ] (the ''dual monarchy'' of ]) * Personal union, as ], with ] (1013–1014, 1018–1035 (]) and 1040–1042).
* Personal union, as Kingdom of England, with ] (1066–1087, 1106–1144, 1154–1204/1259).
* Personal union, as Kingdom of England, with the ] (1154–1204).
* Personal union, as Kingdom of England, with much of France (]) (1154–1214).
* Personal union, as Kingdom of England, with ] (1154–1453).
* Personal union, as Kingdom of England, with ] (1284–1542).
* Personal union, as Kingdom of England, with ] (1422–1453). See also: ].
* Personal union, as Kingdom of England, with ] (1171–1542) and ] (1542–1649, 1660–1707).
* Personal union, as Kingdom of England, with the ] (1556–1558).
* Personal union, as Kingdom of England, with ] (1603–1649, 1660–1707).<sup>1</sup>
* Personal union, as Kingdom of England, with ] (1689–1702).


''<sup>1</sup>: After 1707, see ] below.''
== ] ==
* Personal union with ] from ] (broken out of Denmark) to ]


====France====
== ] ==
* Personal union with ] from ] (raised to the level of a kingdom) to ] * Personal union, as part of the ], with the ] (1154–1214).
* Personal union with ] from ] to ] * Personal union with the Kingdom of England (1422–1453). See also: ].
* Personal union with the ] under the rule of ] (1495) and ] (1501–1504).
* Personal union with the ] from 1672 to 1702, with the King of England, Scotland and Ireland also serving as Stadtholder of most of the provinces of the Netherlands. The actual situation was slightly more complex with the Dutch provinces ], ] and ] entering into personal union in ], ] and ] in ] and ] in ]. Only 2 Dutch provinces never entered into the personal union: ] and ].
* Personal union with ] from ] to ] (when they were joined together in the ]) * Personal union with the ] under the rule of ] (1499–1500 and 1500–1512) and ] (1515–1521 and 1524–1525).
* Personal union with ] from ] to ] * Personal union with the ] under the rule of ] (1559–1560).
* Personal union with the ] from ] (broken out) to ] * Personal union with the ] under the rule of ] (1574–1575).
* Personal union with the ] (1284–1328 and 1589–1620).
* ''Partial'' personal union with ] since 1607 (the French head of state is one of two joint heads of state in Andorra).
* Personal union with the ] (1641-1652).
* Personal union under ] with ] (1805-1814) and the ] (1806-1813).


Note: The point at issue in the ] was the fear that the succession to the Spanish throne dictated by Spanish law, which would devolve on ] — already heir to the throne of France — would create a personal union that would upset the European ]; France had the most powerful military in Europe at the time, and Spain the largest empire.
== ] ==
* Personal union (not universally recognized) with ] from ] to ]
* Personal union (not universally recognized) with ] from ] to ]


== ] == ====Great Britain====
''Before 1707, see ] and ].''
* The ]s, officially a personal union since ], presently with ], ], the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ], ] and the ]


* Personal union with ] (1707–1801).
== ] ==
* Personal union with ] from ] to ] (when they were joined together in the ]) * Personal union with ]
(1714–1801).
*Personal union with the ] (1794-1796)


''After 1801, see ] below.''
== ] ==
* Personal union with the ] from ] to ]


====Hanover==== <!-- This section is linked from ] -->
== ] ==
{{Main articles|Personal union of Great Britain and Hanover}}
* The ]s, officially a personal union since ], presently with ], ], the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ], ] and the ]


* Personal union with ] and ] from 1714 to 1801.
== ] ==
* Personal union with the ] from 1801 to 1807 and again from 1814 to 1837, when ] resulted in ] ascending the British throne and her uncle ] that of Hanover.
* Personal union with ] from ] to ]
* The personal union was interrupted from 1807 to 1813 when Hanover was merged into the ] during the ]. A few months after the ], the ] was re-established.
* Personal union with ] from ] to ] (when Norway was officially incorporated into the Danish kingdom, often called ])
* The ] with ] and ] from ] to ] (sometimes defunct)
* Personal union with ] from ] to ] (when Norway was ceded from Denmark and entered into a union with Sweden, sometimes called ])


====Holy Roman Empire====
== ] ==
* Personal union with the ] from 1194 to 1254 under the ].
* Personal union with ], ] and ] from ] to ], with the King of England, Scotland and Ireland also serving as ] of most of the provinces of the Netherlands. The actual situation was slightly more complex with the Dutch provinces ], ] and ] entering into personal union in 1672, ] and ] in ] and ] in ]. Only 2 Dutch provinces never entered into the personal union: ] and ].
* Personal union with ] from ] to ]. * Personal union with Spain from 1519 to 1556 under ].
* Personal union with ] 1410–1439, 1556–1608, 1612–1740 and 1780–1806.
* Personal union with ] (1714–1735), ] (1714–1720), ] (1720–1735).


====Hungary====
== ] ==
* Personal union with ] 1102–1918 (see {{format link|#Croatia}} above for details).
* The ]s, officially a personal union since ], presently with ], ], the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ], ] and the ]
* Personal union with Poland and ] 1305.
* Personal union with Poland from 1370 to 1382 under the reign of ]. This period in Polish history is sometimes known as the '']''. Louis inherited the Polish throne from his maternal uncle ]. After Louis' death the Polish nobles (the '']'') decided to end the personal union, since they did not want to be governed from Hungary, and chose Louis' younger daughter ] as their new ruler, while Hungary was inherited by his elder daughter ]. Personal union with Poland for the second time from 1440 to 1444.
* Personal union with Naples from 1385 to 1386 under the reign of Charles III of Naples.
* Personal union with Bohemia, 1419–1439 (with both in interregnum during 1437–1438), 1453–1457 and 1490–1918.
* Personal union with the Archduchy of Austria, 1437–1439, 1444–1457, and 1526–1806.
* Personal union with the Holy Roman Empire, 1410–1439, 1556–1608, 1612–1740 and 1780–1806.
* Real union with Austria, 1867–1918 (the '']'' of ]) under the reigns of ] and ].


== ] == ====Iceland====
* Personal union with ] from ] to ] (when they were joined together in the ]) * Personal union with Denmark ], when the country became a republic.


====Ireland====
== ] ==
* Personal union with ] from ] to ] * Personal union, as ], with the ] (1542–1649 then again following ] 1660–1707).
* Personal union, as Kingdom of Ireland, with the ] (1603–1649 then again following the restoration 1660–1707).
* Personal union, as Kingdom of Ireland, with the ] (1707–1801).
* Personal union, as ] (1922–1937) then as ] (1937–1949), with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. (The period 1937–1949 ]).


== ] == ====Italy====
* Personal union with ] from ] to ] (under ], his son and grandson) * Personal union with ] (1939–1943).
* Personal union with the ] (1936–1941).


====León, Aragon, and Castile====
== ] ==
* ], ] and ] (914–924).
* Personal union with ] from ] to ]
* ] and ] (1037–1065 and 1072–1230).
<!-- the Tsar abdicated in 1917 and Finland declared her independence in 1917, but the revolutionary government didn't recognize Finland's independence until Januray 4th -->
* ], ] and ] (1164-1714).
* ] and ] (1076–1134).
* ] and ] (1412–1516).
* ] and ] (1442–1458 and 1504–1516).
* ] and ] (1506).
* ] and ] from 1516 to 1715, during ] and until the ] (1707–1715) when the crowns of ] and ] were suppressed and the same law was applied, turning Spain into a ].


====Lithuania====
== ] ==
* Personal union (the ]) with the ] (1386–1401, 1447–1492 and 1501–1569), then transformed into the ].
* The ]s, officially a personal union since ], presently with ], ], the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ], ] and the ]


====Luxembourg====
== ] ==
* Personal union with ] (1313–1378 and 1383–1388).
* The ]s, officially a personal union since ], presently with ], ], the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ], ] and the ]
* Personal union with the Netherlands from 1815 to 1890, when ] died leaving only a daughter, ]. Since Luxembourg held to ], Wilhelmina's distant cousin ] succeeded to the Grand Duchy, ending the personal union.


====Naples====
== ] ==
* Personal union with ] from 1385 to 1386 under the rule of Charles II of Hungary.
* The ]s, officially a personal union since ], presently with ], ], the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ], ] and the ]
* Personal union with ] (1442–1458 and 1504–1516).
* Personal union with ] under the rule of ] (1495) and ] (1501–1504).
* Personal union with the ] (1516–1714).
* Personal union with ] (1714–1735).
* Personal union with ] from 1735 to 1806 under the rule of the ].


== ] == ====Navarre====
* Personal union with France from 1285 to 1328 due to the marriage between ] and ] and the reign of their three sons, and from 1589 to 1620 due to the accession of ], after which ] was formally integrated into France.
* Personal union with ] and ] from ] to ] (when England and Scotland were joined together in the ])
* Personal union with the ] from 1672 to 1702, with the King of England, Scotland and Ireland also serving as Stadtholder of most of the provinces of the Netherlands. The actual situation was slightly more complex with the Dutch provinces ], ] and ] entering into personal union in ], ] and ] in ] and ] in ]. Only 2 Dutch provinces never entered into the personal union: ] and ].


== ] == ====Netherlands====
* Personal union with the ] from ] to ] * Personal union with ] (1815-1890).
* Personal union with ] from ] to ] (under ], his son and grandson)


====Norway====
== ] and ] ==
* ] ruled both Norway and Denmark from 999 to 1014. He also ruled England from 1013 to 1014.
Duchies with peculiar rules for ].
* ] ruled both England and Denmark from 1018 to 1035. He also ruled Norway from 1028 to 1035.
* Personal union with Denmark 1042–1047. ], who died of unclear circumstances, ruled both Norway and Denmark.
* Personal union with Sweden (1319-1343).
* Personal union with Denmark (1380-1389/97).
* Personal union with Sweden (1449-1450).
* The ] with Denmark and Sweden from 1389/97 to 1521/23 (sometimes defunct).{{Vague|date=July 2009}}
* Personal union with Denmark (1523-1814).
* Personal union with Sweden from 1814 (when Norway declared independence from Denmark and ] into a ]) to 1905.


====Poland====
* ] to ] were parts or all of the duchies in personal union with ].
{{Main|Crown of the Kingdom of Poland|Union of Krewo|Union of Lublin|Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth|Congress Poland|Personal union of Poland and Saxony}}


* Personal union with the ] (1296–1306).
== ] ==
* Personal union with the ] (1305, 1370–1382 and 1440–1444) (see ]).
* The ]s, officially a personal union since ], presently with ], ], the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and the ]
* Personal union between the ] and ] in 1345–1351, 1381–1382 and 1435–1495.
* Personal union with the ] from ].
* Personal union with the ] (1574-1575).
* Personal union with the ] (1592 to 1599).
* Personal union with the ] in 1658.
* Personal union with the ] (1697–1706, 1709–1733 and 1734–1763).
* ] with the ] (1815-1831).


== ] == ====Pomerania====
* Personal union between ] and ] (1395-1402 and 1403-1478).
''Main article: ]''


====Portugal====
* Personal union with ] from ] to ]
* The ] with ] and ] from ] to ] (sometimes defunct) * ] with Spain (1580-1640).
* Personal union with Brazil, under ] (Peter IV of Portugal), from 10 March 1826 to 28 May 1826. Peter was the ] when he declared the independence of Brazil in 1822, becoming its first emperor. When his father (]) died, Peter became also king of Portugal for only a few weeks, after which he abdicated the Portuguese throne in favor of his older daughter, ].
* Personal union with ] from ] to ]
* Personal union with ] from ] to ] (sometimes called ])


== ] == ====Prussia====
* ]: personal union between the ] and ] (1618–1701).
* The ]s, officially a personal union since ], presently with ], ], the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ] and the ]
* Personal union between ] and ] (later ]) (1918).
* Personal union between ] and ], 1707–1806 and 1814–1848. The King of Prussia exchanged territories with France during the 1806–1814 interim.
* Personal union between ] and the ] (1871–1918).


====Romania====
== ] ==
* Personal union with ] from ] to ] * Personal union between ] and ] under the rule of ] from 1859 to 1862.
* Personal union with ] from ] (broken out) to ]
* The ]s, officially a personal union since ], presently with ], ], the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ] and ]


====Russia====
]
* Personal union between the ] and the ] (1793-1818).
]
* Personal union between the ] and the ] (1809-1917).
]
]
]


====Sardinia====
]
* Personal union with ] (1516–1708).
* Personal union with ] (1714–1720).
* Personal union with ] from 1720.

====Saxe-Coburg and Saxe-Gotha====
In 1826, the newly created ] was initially a double duchy, ruled by Duke Ernest I in a personal union. In 1852, the duchies were bound in a political and real union. They were then a quasi-federal unitary state, even though later attempts to merge the duchies failed.

====Saxe-Weimar and Saxe-Eisenach====
The duchies of ] and ] were in personal union from 1741, when the ruling house of Saxe-Eisenach died out, until 1809, when they were merged into the single duchy of ].

====Schleswig and Holstein====
''Duchies with peculiar rules for ]. See the ].''

The kings of Denmark at the same time being dukes of Schleswig and Holstein 1460–1864. (Holstein being part of the ], while Schleswig was a part of Denmark). The situation was complicated by the fact that for some time, the Duchies were divided among collateral branches of the House of Oldenburg (the ruling House in Denmark and Schleswig-Holstein). Besides the "main" Duchy of Schleswig-Holstein-Glückstadt, ruled by the Kings of Denmark, there were states encompassing territory in both Duchies. Notably the Dukes of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp and the subordinate Dukes of Schleswig-Holstein-Beck, Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg and Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg.

====Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt and Schwarzburg-Sondershausen====
The duchies of ] and ] were in personal union from 1909, when ] of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt succeeded also to the throne of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen, until 1918, when he (and all the other German monarchs) abdicated.

====Scotland====
* Personal union, as ], with the ] during the reign of ] (1559–1560), first husband of ].
* Personal union, as Kingdom of Scotland, with the ] and ] (1603–1707) following the accession of ], to the joint English and Irish throne. (All monarchs of Scotland were in a personal union with England and Ireland throughout the period 1603–1707, with the exception of ], reigning solely as King of Scots 1649–1651, and the subsequent ] between 1651 and restoration of the ] in 1660)<sup>1</sup>
* Personal union, as Kingdom of Scotland, with the ] (1689–1702) during the reign of ].

<sup>1</sup>: ''After 1707, see ] above. After 1801, see ] below.''

====Sicily====
* Union (or personal union) with the ] from 1194 to 1254 under the rule of the ].
* Personal union with the ] from 1282 to 1285 and 1409 to 1516 under the rule of the ] and the ].
* Personal union with the ] from 1516 to 1713 under the rule of the ] and the ].
* Personal union with the ] from 1713 to 1720 under the rule of ].
* Personal union with the ] from 1720 to 1734 under the rule of ].
* Personal union with the ] from 1735 to 1806 under the rule of the ].

====Spain====
* Personal union with ] and ] (1519–1521).
* Personal union with ] (1519–1556) under ].
* Personal union with ] (1516–1714), ] (1516–1708), ] (1516–1713) and ] (1540–1706).
* Personal union with ] (1516–1581) and ] (1581–1714).
* Personal union with ] (1556–1558).
* Personal union (]) with ] (1580–1640).
* Personal union with the ] (modern-day ]) (1810–1813), according to the ] of this country, which was not recognized by the ], which still considered these territories to be part of the ].

====Sweden====
{{Further|Political unions involving Sweden}}

* Personal union with ] (1319-1343).
* Personal union with ] (1332-1360).
* The ] with ] and ] from 1389/97 to 1521/23 (sometimes defunct).{{Vague|date=July 2009}}
* Personal union with ] (1449-1450).
* Personal union with the ] from (1592-1599).
* Swedish kings united their kingdom with ] (1581–1721), ] (1629–1721), ] (1617–1721), ] (1645–1721), ] (1648–1719), ] (1630–1815), ] (1648–1803) and ] (1583–1595 and 1617–1721).
* ] with Norway (1814-1905).

====United Kingdom====
* Personal union with the ] (1801–1806).
* Personal union with the ] (1814–1837).
* Personal union with the ] (1922–1937) and ] (''de jure'') from 1937 to 1949;
* Personal union with the former ]s and ]s:
**] (1907–1934).
**] (1910–1961).
**] (1947–1950).
**] (1947–1956).
**] (now ]; 1948–1972).
**] (1957–1960).
**] (1960–1963).
**] (1961–1971).
**] (now ]; 1961–1962).
**] (1962–1976).
**] (1962–1963).
**] (1963–1964).
**] (1964–1966).
**] (1964–1974).
**] (1965–1970).
**] (now ]; 1965–1970), which was not recognized by any other state.
**] (1966–1970).
**] (1966–2021).
**] (1968–1992).
**] (1970–1987).
* Personal union with the current ]s:
**] since 1867.
**] since 1901.
**] since 1907.
**] since 1962.
**] since 1973.
**] since 1974.
**] since 1975.
**] since 1978.
**] since 1978.
**] since 1979.
**] since 1979.
**] since 1981.
**] since 1981.
**] since 1983.

====Wales====
* Personal union, as ], with ] (1284–1542).

''After 1542, see ] above.''

===South America===
====Brazil====
* Personal union with Portugal, under ] (Pedro IV of Portugal), from 10 March to 28 May 1826. Pedro was the ] when he declared the independence of Brazil in 1822, becoming its first emperor. When his father (]) died, Pedro also became King of Portugal, but abdicated the Portuguese throne 79 days later in favour of his older child ].

==Republics in personal union==
Because heads of state and government of republics are ordinarily chosen from within the citizens of the state in question, sovereign republics very rarely share common leaders. A few examples are:

* Uniquely, the ] is ''ex officio'' a constitutional monarch (or, more accurately, ]) in neighboring ], with the title of ]. This status was inherited from the role of the French monarchs in Andorra.
*From 1802 to 1804, the ] of the ] and the President of the ] was the same man-]. Bonaparte continued as President of Italy even after he was proclaimed ], until he was proclaimed King of ] in 1805.
* During the later stages of the ], ] was simultaneously President of ] (24 February 1819 - 4 May 1830), President of ] (10 February 1824 – 28 January 1827), and President of ] (12 August 1825 - 29 December 1825). Bolívar had, as President and military Commander-in-Chief of Colombia, led a Colombian army to secure Peruvian independence in 1824-25, and was given the office of President by the Patriot republican governments of both Peru and Bolivia (renamed in his honor from "Upper Peru") as an emergency measure to help secure independence from Spain. After the end of the war, Bolívar relinquished his Peruvian and Bolivian offices and returned to Colombia.
* In 1860 ] was simultaneously elected as the president of ] and ]. He tried to unify the two countries, but his efforts failed, leading to the ].
* In 1335 ] was made ],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fennell |first=John |url=https://books.google.ie/books?id=ymzfEAAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y |title=The Emergence of Moscow, 1304-1359 |date=2023-11-15 |publisher=Univ of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-34759-5 |pages=148 |language=en}}</ref> marking a personal union between ] and ] until his death in 1340.

== See also ==
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]

== Notes ==
{{NoteFoot}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{Cite book | editor-last1 = Srodecki | editor-first1 = Paul | editor-last2 = Kersken | editor-first2 = Norbert | editor-last3 = Petrauskas | editor-first3 = Rimvydas | title = Unions and Divisions: New Forms of Rule in Medieval and Renaissance Europe | location = London and New York, NY | publisher = ] | year = 2023 | edition = First | isbn = 978-1-032-05750-7 }}

{{Autonomous types of first-tier administration}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Personal Union}}

]
]

Latest revision as of 06:00, 9 January 2025

Situation of two states sharing a monarch without merging This article is about the political arrangement. For the Christian theological teaching, see Hypostatic union and Prosopon.
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Personal union" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (July 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Part of the Politics series
Monarchy
Heraldic royal crown
Central concepts
Types
Philosophy

Philosophers

Works

Politicians
History
Polity
Administration
Related ideologies
National variants
Related topics
icon Politics portal
Part of the Politics series
Basic forms of government
List of forms · List of countries
Source of power
Democracy (rule by many)
Oligarchy (rule by few)
Autocracy (rule by one)
Anarchy (rule by none)
Power ideology
(socio-political ideologies)
(socio-economic ideologies)
  • Religious
  • Secular
(geo-cultural ideologies)
Power structure
Unitarism
Client state
Federalism
International relations
Related
icon Politics portal

A personal union is a combination of two or more monarchical states that have the same monarch while their boundaries, laws, and interests remain distinct. A real union, by contrast, involves the constituent states being to some extent interlinked, such as by sharing some limited governmental institutions. Unlike a personal union, in a federation or a unitary state, a central (federal) government spanning all member states exists, with the degree of self-governance distinguishing the two. The ruler in a personal union does not need to be a hereditary monarch.

The term was coined by German jurist Johann Stephan Pütter, introducing it into Elementa iuris publici germanici (Elements of German Public Law) of 1760.

Personal unions can arise for several reasons, such as:

They can also be codified (i.e., the constitutions of the states clearly express that they shall share the same person as head of state) or non-codified, in which case they can easily be broken (e.g., by the death of the monarch when the two states have different succession laws).

The concept of a personal union has only very rarely crossed over from monarchies into republics.

There are currently two personal unions in the world: the 15 Commonwealth realms, who share Charles III as their head of state, and one of the co-princes of Andorra being the President of France.

Monarchies in personal union

Africa

Congo Free State and Belgium

  • Personal union with Belgium from 1885 to 1908, when the Congo Free State became a Belgian colony. The only sovereign during this period was Leopold II, who continued as king of Belgium until his death a year later in 1909.

Asia

Georgia

Goryeo

  • Personal union with Shenyang in the Mongol Empire (1308–1313; King Chungseon)
    • As King of Goryeo (高麗國王) and King of Shenyang (瀋陽王) in 1308–1310
    • As King of Goryeo and King of Shen (瀋王) in 1310–1313

King Chungseon reigned as King of Goryeo in 1298 and 1308–1313 and as King of Shenyang or King of Shen from 1307 (according to the History of Yuan) or 1308 (according to Goryeosa) to 1316. At that time, Goryeo had already become a vassal of Mongol Empire and Mongol imperial family and the Goryeo royal family had close relationship by marriages of convenience. Because he was a very powerful man during Külüg Khan's reign, he could become the King of Shenyang where many Korean people lived in Liaodong. However, he lost his power in the Mongol imperial court after the death of the Külüg Khan. Because the Mongol Empire made Chungseon abdicate the crown of the Goryeo in 1313, the personal union was ended. King Chungsuk, Chungseon's eldest son, became the new King of Goryeo. In 1316, the Mongol Empire made Chungseon abdicate the crown of Shen in favour of Wang Ko, one of his nephews, resulting in him becoming the new King of Shen.

Europe

Albania

Andorra

Due to Andorra's special government form resulting from the Paréage of 1278, it is a diarchy with co-princes. One of them is the Bishop of Urgell, the other was originally the Count of Foix. It is through this feudal co-prince that the Principality has entered partial personal union with:

In 1607 the feudal co-prince was Henry IV of France, who issued an edict that his position should be held by the French Head of State. While during the French Revolution, the new government did not take up the title, all versions of France since 1806 regardless of their government form have accepted that their head of state is an ex officio co-prince. This led to personal unions with:

Austria

Bohemia

Brandenburg

Catalonia

Croatia

Main articles: Pacta conventa (Croatia) and Croatia in the union with Hungary

Denmark

England

: After 1707, see Great Britain below.

France

Note: The point at issue in the War of the Spanish Succession was the fear that the succession to the Spanish throne dictated by Spanish law, which would devolve on Louis, le Grand Dauphin — already heir to the throne of France — would create a personal union that would upset the European balance of power; France had the most powerful military in Europe at the time, and Spain the largest empire.

Great Britain

Before 1707, see England and Scotland.

(1714–1801).

After 1801, see United Kingdom below.

Hanover

Main article: Personal union of Great Britain and Hanover

Holy Roman Empire

Hungary

  • Personal union with Croatia 1102–1918 (see § Croatia above for details).
  • Personal union with Poland and Bohemia 1305.
  • Personal union with Poland from 1370 to 1382 under the reign of Louis the Great. This period in Polish history is sometimes known as the Andegawen Poland. Louis inherited the Polish throne from his maternal uncle Casimir III. After Louis' death the Polish nobles (the szlachta) decided to end the personal union, since they did not want to be governed from Hungary, and chose Louis' younger daughter Jadwiga as their new ruler, while Hungary was inherited by his elder daughter Mary. Personal union with Poland for the second time from 1440 to 1444.
  • Personal union with Naples from 1385 to 1386 under the reign of Charles III of Naples.
  • Personal union with Bohemia, 1419–1439 (with both in interregnum during 1437–1438), 1453–1457 and 1490–1918.
  • Personal union with the Archduchy of Austria, 1437–1439, 1444–1457, and 1526–1806.
  • Personal union with the Holy Roman Empire, 1410–1439, 1556–1608, 1612–1740 and 1780–1806.
  • Real union with Austria, 1867–1918 (the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary) under the reigns of Franz Joseph and Charles IV.

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

León, Aragon, and Castile

Lithuania

Luxembourg

  • Personal union with Bohemia (1313–1378 and 1383–1388).
  • Personal union with the Netherlands from 1815 to 1890, when King and Grand Duke William III died leaving only a daughter, Wilhelmina. Since Luxembourg held to Salic Law, Wilhelmina's distant cousin Adolphe succeeded to the Grand Duchy, ending the personal union.

Naples

Navarre

  • Personal union with France from 1285 to 1328 due to the marriage between Philip IV of France and Joan I of Navarre and the reign of their three sons, and from 1589 to 1620 due to the accession of Henry IV, after which Navarre was formally integrated into France.

Netherlands

Norway

  • Sweyn Forkbeard ruled both Norway and Denmark from 999 to 1014. He also ruled England from 1013 to 1014.
  • Cnut the Great ruled both England and Denmark from 1018 to 1035. He also ruled Norway from 1028 to 1035.
  • Personal union with Denmark 1042–1047. Magnus I of Norway, who died of unclear circumstances, ruled both Norway and Denmark.
  • Personal union with Sweden (1319-1343).
  • Personal union with Denmark (1380-1389/97).
  • Personal union with Sweden (1449-1450).
  • The Kalmar Union with Denmark and Sweden from 1389/97 to 1521/23 (sometimes defunct).
  • Personal union with Denmark (1523-1814).
  • Personal union with Sweden from 1814 (when Norway declared independence from Denmark and was forced into a union with Sweden) to 1905.

Poland

Main articles: Crown of the Kingdom of Poland, Union of Krewo, Union of Lublin, Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, Congress Poland, and Personal union of Poland and Saxony

Pomerania

Portugal

Prussia

Romania

Russia

Sardinia

Saxe-Coburg and Saxe-Gotha

In 1826, the newly created Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was initially a double duchy, ruled by Duke Ernest I in a personal union. In 1852, the duchies were bound in a political and real union. They were then a quasi-federal unitary state, even though later attempts to merge the duchies failed.

Saxe-Weimar and Saxe-Eisenach

The duchies of Saxe-Weimar and Saxe-Eisenach were in personal union from 1741, when the ruling house of Saxe-Eisenach died out, until 1809, when they were merged into the single duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach.

Schleswig and Holstein

Duchies with peculiar rules for succession. See the Schleswig-Holstein Question.

The kings of Denmark at the same time being dukes of Schleswig and Holstein 1460–1864. (Holstein being part of the Holy Roman Empire, while Schleswig was a part of Denmark). The situation was complicated by the fact that for some time, the Duchies were divided among collateral branches of the House of Oldenburg (the ruling House in Denmark and Schleswig-Holstein). Besides the "main" Duchy of Schleswig-Holstein-Glückstadt, ruled by the Kings of Denmark, there were states encompassing territory in both Duchies. Notably the Dukes of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp and the subordinate Dukes of Schleswig-Holstein-Beck, Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg and Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg.

Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt and Schwarzburg-Sondershausen

The duchies of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt and Schwarzburg-Sondershausen were in personal union from 1909, when Prince Günther of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt succeeded also to the throne of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen, until 1918, when he (and all the other German monarchs) abdicated.

Scotland

: After 1707, see Great Britain above. After 1801, see United Kingdom below.

Sicily

Spain

Sweden

Further information: Political unions involving Sweden

United Kingdom

Wales

After 1542, see England above.

South America

Brazil

Republics in personal union

Because heads of state and government of republics are ordinarily chosen from within the citizens of the state in question, sovereign republics very rarely share common leaders. A few examples are:

See also

Notes

  1. In the Holy Roman Empire, many prince-bishops had themselves elected to separate prince-bishoprics, which they ruled in a personal union. For example, Joseph Clemens of Bavaria (1671–1723) was Prince-Bishop of Freising (1685–1694), Prince-Bishop of Regensburg (1685–1694), Prince-Elector of Cologne (1688–1723), Prince-Bishop of Liège (1694–1723) and Prince-Bishop of Hildesheim (1702–1723).

References

  1. Oppenheim, Lassa; Roxbrough, Ronald (2005). International Law: A Treatise. The Lawbook Exchange. ISBN 978-1584776093. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
  2. Harding, Nick (2007). Hanover and the British Empire, 1700–1837. Boydell & Brewer. ISBN 978-1843833000.
  3. Gadolin, A. De (2012). The Solution of the Karelian Refugee Problem in Finland. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 2. ISBN 978-9401179645. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  4. Fennell, John (2023-11-15). The Emergence of Moscow, 1304-1359. Univ of California Press. p. 148. ISBN 978-0-520-34759-5.

Bibliography

  • Srodecki, Paul; Kersken, Norbert; Petrauskas, Rimvydas, eds. (2023). Unions and Divisions: New Forms of Rule in Medieval and Renaissance Europe (First ed.). London and New York, NY: Routledge. ISBN 978-1-032-05750-7.
Autonomous types of first-tier subdivision administration
Federalism
Unitary state
Unions
Subordinacy
Development
See also
Categories:
Personal union: Difference between revisions Add topic