Duchy of Holstein

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Duchy of Holstein Herzogtum Holstein (German) Hertugdømmet Holsten (Danish)
1474–1864
Civil Ensign[1] Coat of arms
Location and borders of the Duchy of Holstein by 1789
Status	State of the Holy Roman Empire (1474–1806) State of the German Confederation (1815–1864), Personal union with the Kingdom of Denmark (1474–1544; 1773–1864)
Capital	Glückstadt
Common languages	German, Low German, Danish
Religion	Lutheran
Government	Feudal Monarchy
Duke
• 1474–1481	Christian I (first)
• 1863–1864	Christian IX (last)
Historical era	Early Modern
• Treaty of Ribe	5 March 1460
• Duchy established	14 February 1474
• Schleswig War	1 February 1864
• Treaty of Vienna	30 October 1864
Currency	Rigsdaler
Preceded by Succeeded by Holstein Province of Schleswig-Holstein

The Duchy of Holstein (German: Herzogtum Holstein, Danish: Hertugdømmet Holsten) was the northernmost state of the Holy Roman Empire, located in the present German state of Schleswig-Holstein. It originated when King Christian I of Denmark had his County of Holstein-Rendsburg elevated to a duchy by Emperor Frederick III in 1474. Members of the Danish House of Oldenburg ruled Holstein – jointly with the Duchy of Schleswig – for its entire existence.

From 1490 to 1523 and again from 1544 to 1773 the Duchy was partitioned between various Oldenburg branches, most notably the dukes of Holstein-Glückstadt (identical with the Kings of Denmark) and Holstein-Gottorp. The duchy ceased to exist when the Kingdom of Prussia annexed it in 1866 after the Austro-Prussian War.