The title "Duke of Winchester" is a British noble title that has been created several times in history. The first creation was in 1551 for William Paulet, a prominent statesman during the reign of King Edward VI. The title has been associated with the city of Winchester, which was historically significant as the capital of Wessex and later England. The title has been held by various noble families over the centuries, with the most recent creation occurring in 1682. The Duke of Winchester is part of the peerage system in the United Kingdom, which includes various ranks such as duke, marquess, earl, viscount, and baron.