The Duchy of Bavaria is, in the sixth through the eighth centuries, a frontier region in the southeast of the Merovingian kingdom and is ruled by dukes (duces) under the Frankish lordship.

In the late ninth century, a new duchy is created from this area.

It is one of the so-called stem duchies of the Kingdom of Germany and the Holy Roman Empire.Between 1070 and 1180 the Empire is opposed by Bavaria, especially by the House of Welf.

In the final showdown between the Duke Henry the Lion and the Hohenstaufen emperor Frederick I, Frederick I triumphs and deprives Henry of his fiefs.

Bavaria now passes over to the House of Wittelsbach, which holds it until 1918.