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Duke 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
Capital Bouillon
Languages Walloon
Government Dukedom
Historical era Middle Ages
 •  Ardennes lords of Bouillon by the 11th century
 •  La Marck châtelains from 1415 the 15th century
 •  First style of Duke 1456
 •  Treaties of Nijmegen 1678
 •  Abolition of manorial
    and feudal rights

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

24 April 1794
 •  Annexed to France 26 October 1795
(4 Brumaire, Year IV)
Area
 •  1790 230 km² (89 sq mi)
Population
 •  1790 est. 12,000 
     Density 52.2 /km²  (135.1 /sq mi)
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Lower Lorraine
Republic of Bouillon
Today part of  Belgium

The Duchy of Bouillon (French: Duché de Bouillon) was a duchy comprising Bouillon in present-day Belgium that existed from the 10th century until 1795, when it was annexed by France. It was controlled by the hereditary Duke of Bouillon.

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 subsequently became lords of Bouillon and eventually adopted the title of duke. The duchy was later claimed by members of the House of La Marck. After the French annexed Bouillon, the heirs of the last reigning duke, Jacques Léopold de La Tour d'Auvergne, have continued claiming the title.

The Duchy of Bouillon was a sovereign duchy until 1795. In 1789, it had a population of 2,500. The largest town was Bouillon, situated on the Semois. It also consisted of the surrounding villages: Sugny, Corbion, Alle, Rochehaut, Ucimont, Botassart, Sensenruth, Noirefontaine,[Gros-Fays, Fays-les-Veneurs, Bertrix, Carlsbourg, Paliseul, Jehonville, Opont, Anloy, Porcheresse, Gembes, Gedinne, Sart-Custinne]], and Tellin.

Bouillon is located in a Walloon-speaking region.

The Duchy of Bouillon's origins are unclear. The first reference to Bouillon Castle comes in 988 and by the 11th century, Bouillon was a freehold held by the House of Ardennes, who styled themselves Lords of Bouillon. On the death of Godfrey III, Duke of Lower Lorraine in 1069, Bouillon passed to his nephew, Godfrey of Bouillon. In 1095, Godfrey of Bouillon sold Bouillon to the Prince-Bishop of Liège, Otbert of Liège in order to finance his participation in the First Crusade. Godfrey later became first ruler of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.


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