If you own the duchy title, but only two of the three county titles, you have a De Jure claim on the third and can legally go to war for it. What does that mean for you and titles? Well, think of it this way: a select amount of counties make up a duchy, and if you own the title for that duchy you have a De Jure claim on any counties within it you do not personally own. So, what exactly is De Jure? Land and titles in Crusader Kings 3 follow a hierarchy, and from smallest to largest these are Baronies, Counties, Duchies, Kingdoms, and finally Empires. Claims can come from relations (Implicit Claims are claims that eligible children possess due to their parents’ owning the appropriate titles), via your realm chaplain and their “Fabricate Claim on County” ability, and most critically De Jure. In Crusader Kings 3 you need to have a valid claim towards a given piece of land before you can take it for yourself. Crusader Kings 3 Claims and De Jure Claims are land titles you have a right to. Claims are perhaps both the simplest and most confusing aspect for new players to wrap their heads around, yet with this guide the concept will go from somewhat opaque to clear as mud.
Controlling and seizing territory is a big deal in Crusader Kings 3, and there are many ways to stake your claim on a desirable slice of real estate, such as De Jure claims.
