Duke of Hereford

Arms ofHenry Bolingbroke, 1st Duke of Hereford.

Duke of Herefordwas a title in thePeerage of England.It was created in 1397 forRichard II's cousin,Henry Bolingbroke,due to his support for the King in his struggle against their uncleThomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of Gloucester.It merged in the crown on Henry's usurpation two years later, and has never since been recreated.

The title takes its name fromHereford,Herefordshire,England.The city lies near the border withWales,and has more often been in the title of theEarl of Herefordor theViscount Hereford.

Duke of Hereford (1397)

alsoDuke of Lancaster(1399),Duke of Aquitaine(1399),Earl of Leicester(1265),Earl of Lancaster(1267),Earl of Derby(1337),Earl of Northampton(1384),Baron of Halton(c. 1070)

• Henry Bolingbroke, 1st Duke of Hereford(1367–1413), eldest son ofJohn of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster,himself third son ofEdward III,took the throne asHenry IVin 1399 and this title merged with the crown