Duchy of Aquitaine

The Duchy of Aquitaine was a medieval duchy and historical fiefdom in the western, central, and southern areas of present-day France, south of the river Loire. Founded around 841, its territory originated in 507 as a constituent kingdom of Francia. The duchy's extent and name fluctuated greatly over the centuries, at times comprising much of what is now southwestern and central France. In 1153, an enlarged Aquitaine pledged loyalty to the Angevin kings of England, leading to rivalry with French monarchs. By the mid-13th century, only an enlarged Guyenne and Gascony remained in Angevin hands. The Kingdom of France gained full control over Aquitaine in 1453, and the duchy was dissolved around 1449.