Herzog

Herzog (pronounced [ˈhɛʁtsoːk] ^ⓘ; feminine Herzogin [ˈhɛʁtsoːɡɪn] ^ⓘ; masculine plural Herzöge; feminine plural Herzoginnen) is a German hereditary title held by one who rules a territorial duchy, exercises feudal authority over an estate called a duchy, or possesses a right by law or tradition to be referred to by the ducal title. The word is usually translated by the English duke and the Latin dux. Generally, a Herzog ranks below a king and above a Graf ('count'). Whether the title is deemed higher or lower than titles translated into English as prince (Fürst) is dependent upon the language, country, and era in which the titles coexisted.