Duchy of Thuringia

The Duchy of Thuringia was a medieval polity, initially a duchy and later a landgraviate, centered in the homeland of the Thuringians. Established around 631 CE by King Dagobert I, it served as an eastern frontier region of the Merovingian kingdom of Austrasia. After its recreation within the Carolingian Empire, it became part of the East Frankish Realm and later the Holy Roman Empire. The Ludovingians emerged as powerful rulers, becoming Landgraves of Thuringia in 1131. Following the extinction of the Ludovingians in 1247, the Landgraviate passed to the Wettins. The entity was dissolved around 1440 CE, though the Thuringian landgravian title continued to be used by various dynasties.