Low-Lotharingie

The duchy of Low-Lotharingie is the part of the Lotharingie which is in the north of the Chiers. With time, it will be called duchy of Lothier .

This duchy was created in 959, at the same time as the High-Lotharingie , of the division of the duchy of Lotharingie. Brunon of Cologne, which proceeded to the division, gave the Lowone to the Godefroy vice-duke. With died of this last (964), the emperor did not name a new duke immediately, and will do it only in 977 in favor of Charles, wire of Louis IV of Overseas, king de France. his/her son Otton succeeded to him, and to its death (1012), the duchy was entrusted to the family of Verdun, which will obtain in 1033 the duchy of High-Lotharingie.

In 1044, Godefroy II, having inherited only High-Lotharingie, revolted. It was overcome and its duchy was confiscated and given to the house of Alsace. It could have Low Lotharingie only in 1065, after the death of the duke Frederic of Luxembourg. In Godefroy II his/her son Godefroy III Uneven the will succeed, then its grandson Godefroy de Bouillon, who will sell his duchy to the bishops of Liege to finance his departure in crusade.

The duchy had then undergoes a strong dismemberment, but two families will assert it, with the arbitration of the emperor:

the house of Limbourg.
the house of Leuwen.

It was this last house which will preserve it, then will obtain the title of Duc of the Brabant and will become the house of the Brabant. The exercise of the ducal capacity of Low-Lotharingie is henceforth limited to the territories and the imperial strongholds of the counts de Louvain. The practically honorary title of duke of Lothier (which referred more with largest Low-Lotharingie) will transmit to the successors dukes of the Brabant.

See too

dukes of Low-Lotharingie

Random links: