The County of Dunois comprised the old pagus Dunensis, the area surrounding Châteaudun in central France. A county had taken form around Châteaudun (Castrum Dunense) in the tenth century. It passed to the counts of Blois, who appointed viscounts to administer it. It was re-created as the county of Dunois in 1439, and bestowed on John, an illegitimate son of the Duke of Orléans (who was also count of Blois).