Thecounts of Nevers were the rulers of theCounty of Nevers, in France, The territory became aduchy in the peerage of France in 1539 under thedukes of Nevers.
The history of the County of Nevers is closely connected to theDuchy of Burgundy. The counts also held theCounty of Auxerre in the 11th and 12th centuries, and the county was held by thecount of Flanders and then the duke of Burgundy again in the 14th century.
In 1539, it became a duchy in thepeerage of France. For a time, it was held by acadet branch of theHouse of Gonzaga. This branch inherited theDuchy of Mantua from the senior Gonzaga line (when it became extinct in 1627) and ruled Mantua until 1708, when the branch died out in the male line.
In 1539 the county of Nevers was raised to a duchy.[1]
François I (1539–1561) (His mother,Marie of Albret (d. 1549), widow of Charles II, also took the title in 1539, even though it was her son and his wife who became the actual duke and duchess.)
Antonetti, Guy (2000). "Les Princes Etrangers". In Bardet, Jean-Pierre (ed.).Etat et société en France aux XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles (in French). Presses l'Universite de Paris-Sorbonne.
