What is Dauphin of France?
[[File:Coat of Arms of the Dauphin of France.svg|thumb|200px|right|Grand Coat of Arms of the Dauphins of France]] The '''Dauphin''' was the [[heir apparent]] to the throne of [[France]] from 1350–1791, and from 1824–1830. ==History== Guy VIII, Count of Vienne, had a [[dolphin]] on his [[coat of arms]] and had been nicknamed ''le Dauphin'' ([[French language|French]] for ''dolphin''). The title of [[Dauphin of Viennois]] descended in his family until [[1349]], when Humbert II sold his [[Manorialism|signeurie]], called the [[Dauphiné]], to King [[Philip VI of France|Philippe VI]] on condition that the heir of France assumed the title of ''le Dauphin'' and govern this territory.<ref>Roland Mousnier, ''The Institutions of France Under the Absolute Monarchy, 1598-1789'', Vol. 2 (Chicago; London: University of Chicago, 1984), p. 4</ref> The Dauphin retained the title only.<ref name=LieberEA>''Encyclopædia Americana'', Vol. 4, eds. Francis Lieber; Edward Wigglesworth; Thomas Gamaliel Bradford (Philadelphia: Carey, Lea & Carey, 1830), p. 129</ref> The [[Property|estates]] belonged to the [[crown]]. On the death of the Dauphin, his eldest son inherits the title.<ref name=LieberEA/> If there is no son, his oldest brother succeeds him.<ref name=LieberEA/> If the king does not have a son the title does not go to anyone.<ref name=LieberEA/> It is never given to a brother of the king.<ref name=LieberEA/> The wife of the Dauphin was known as the ''[[Dauphine]]''.<ref name=LieberEA/> The first French Dauphin was [[Charles V of France|Charles V]]. The title is roughly equivalent to the English title ''[[Prince of Wales]]''. The Dauphin was entitled to the use of the style of [[Royal Highness]] but this was only ever used in written form. The title of ''[[Rulers of Auvergne|Dauphin of Auvergne]]'' was used by the [[Count of Clermont]]. == Dauphins of France, 1349–1830 == # [[Charles V of France]] 1349–1364 # Charles, eldest son and heir of [[Charles V of France|Charles V]]; future [[Charles VI of France|Charles VI]] 1368–138