Duchy of Bouillon

Duchy of Bouillon
Duché de Bouillon
1456? – 1794
Flag
Coat of arms
The Duchy of Bouillon as at 1560, shown within the Lower Rhenish–Westphalian Circle
Status
CapitalBouillon
Common languagesWalloon
Historical eraMiddle Ages
• Ardennes lords of Bouillon
by the 11th century
from 1415 the 15th century
• First style of Duke
1456
• Treaties of Nijmegen
1678
• Abolition of manorial
    and feudal rights

26 May 1790
23 March or 1 May 1792
• Proclamation of the
    Republic

24 April 1794
• Annexed to France
26 October 1795
(4 Brumaire, Year IV)
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Lower Lorraine
Republic of Bouillon
Today part ofBelgium

The Duchy of Bouillon (French: Duché de Bouillon) was a duchy comprising Bouillon and adjacent towns and villages in present-day Belgium.

The state originated in the 10th century as property of the Lords of Bouillon, owners of Bouillon Castle. Crusader Godfrey of Bouillon, later the first King of Jerusalem, sold Bouillon to the Prince-Bishopric of Liège, in 1095. The Prince-Bishops of Liège consequently became lords of Bouillon and eventually adopted the title of duke. The duchy was later claimed by members of the Houses of La Marck and La Tour d'Auvergne. From 1678, it was a sovereign duchy under French protection and ruled by La Tour. It was annexed by France in 1795. In accordance with the Treaty of Paris of 1815, the sovereignty of the former duchy was attributed to the king of Netherlands as grand duke of Luxemburg, and Bouillon was united to the grand duchy. In 1830, the territory of the former duchy of Bouillon, along with most of the grand duchy, rebelled and joined with Belgium. Bouillon is now a part of Belgium.