the dukes of cleves-jülich-berg inherited the duchy of guelders, but they later lost possession of it when the inheritance split despite the cleves-jülich-berg branch of the family being confirmed by holy roman emperor sigusmund. the kings of prussia, heirs to the historic dukes of cleves-jülich-berg, acquired a portion of guelders in the treaty of utrecht following the war of the spanish succession, and its capital was geldern. it was lost during the napoleonic wars, but a portion of it was regained and annexed to prussia following napoleon's defeat.