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{{Short description|1353–1797 state of the Holy Roman Empire}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2013}}
{{For|the modern state|Grand Duchy of Luxembourg}}
{{For|the modern state|Luxembourg}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox country
{{Infobox country
| native_name = ''Herzogtum Lëtzebuerg'' <small>([[Luxembourgish language|lb]])</small><br>''Hertogdom Luxemburg'' <small>([[Dutch language|nl]])</small><br>''Herzogtum Luxemburg'' <small>([[German language|de]])</small><br>''Duché de Luxembourg'' <small>([[French language|fr]])</small><br>''Ducatus Luxemburgensis'' <small>([[Latin language|la]])</small>
| native_name = {{native name|lb|Herzogtum Lëtzebuerg}}<br/>{{native name|de|Herzogtum Luxemburg}}<br/>{{native name|fr|Duché de Luxembourg}}<br/>{{native name|nl|Hertogdom Luxemburg}}<br/>{{native name|la|Ducatus Luxemburgensis}}
| conventional_long_name = Duchy of Luxemburg
| conventional_long_name = Duchy of Luxembourg
| common_name = Luxembourg|
| common_name = Luxembourg
| leader1 = [[Wenceslaus I, Duke of Luxembourg|Wenceslaus I]] (first)
| leader1 = [[Wenceslaus I, Duke of Luxembourg|Wenceslaus I]] (first)
| year_leader1 = 1353–1383
| year_leader1 = 1353–1383
| leader2 = [[Elizabeth of Görlitz]]
| leader2 = [[Elizabeth of Görlitz]]
| year_leader2 = 1415–1419
| year_leader2 = 1415–1419
| leader3 = [[John the Fearless]]
| leader3 = [[John the Fearless]]
| year_leader3 = 1419–1425
| year_leader3 = 1419–1425
| leader4 = Elizabeth of Gorlitz (last)
| leader4 = Elizabeth of Gorlitz (last)
| year_leader4 = 1425–1443
| year_leader4 = 1425–1443
| leader5 = [[William III of Saxony]] (claimant)
| leader5 = [[William III of Saxony]] (claimant)
| year_leader5 = 1439–1482
| year_leader5 = 1439–1482
| title_leader = [[List of monarchs of Luxembourg|Duke of Luxemburg]]|
| title_leader = [[List of monarchs of Luxembourg|Duke of Luxemburg]]|
| era = Middle Ages
| era = [[Middle Ages]]
| status = Duchy
| status = Duchy
| empire = Holy Roman Empire
| empire = Holy Roman Empire
| status_text = [[List of states of the Holy Roman Empire|State]] of the [[Holy Roman Empire]]<br>Part of the [[Burgundian Netherlands]] <small>(1443–1482)</small><br>Part of the [[Habsburg Netherlands]] <small>(1482–1581)</small><br>Part of the [[Spanish Netherlands]] <small>(1581–1714)</small><br>Part of the [[Austrian Netherlands]] <small>(1714–1795)</small>
| status_text = [[List of states of the Holy Roman Empire|State]] of the [[Holy Roman Empire]]<br/>Part of the [[Burgundian Netherlands]] <small>(1443–1482)</small><br/>Part of the [[Habsburg Netherlands]] <small>(1482–1581)</small><br/>Part of the [[Spanish Netherlands]] <small>(1581–1714)</small><br/>Part of the [[Austrian Netherlands]] <small>(1714–1795)</small>
| government_type = Feudal Duchy|
| government_type = [[Feudalism|Feudal]] [[Duchy]]|
| image_flag = Civil Ensign of Luxembourg.svg
| image_flag = Civil Ensign of Luxembourg.svg
| image_coat = Arms-of-Luxembourg.svg
| image_coat = Arms of Luxembourg.svg
| image_map = Locator County of Luxembourg (1350).svg
| image_map = Locator County of Luxembourg (1350).svg
| image_map_caption = The County of Luxembourg in 1350
| image_map_caption = Luxembourg within the [[Low Countries]], 1350
| life_span = 1353–1795
| life_span = 1353–1443/1797
| year_start = 963
| year_start = 963
| year_end = 1795
| date_post = 1797
| event_start = Obtained by [[Sigfried, Count of the Ardennes|Sigfried]]
| event_start = Obtained by [[Sigfried, Count of the Ardennes|Sigfried]]
| event1 = Acquired by [[House of Luxembourg|Luxembourg dynasty]]
| event1 = Acquired by [[House of Luxembourg|Luxembourg dynasty]]
| date_event1 = 1059
| date_event1 = 1059
| event2 = Raised to [[county]]
| event2 = Raised to [[county]]
| date_event2 = 1214
| date_event2 = 1214
| event3 = Raised to [[duchy]] by the Emperor
| event3 = Raised to [[duchy]] by the Emperor
| date_event3 = 1353
| date_event3 = 1354
| event4 = Held by the [[Duchy of Burgundy|Dukes of Burgundy]]
| event4 = Held by the [[Duchy of Burgundy|Dukes of Burgundy]]
| date_event4 = 1443
| date_event4 = 1443
| event5 = To [[House of Habsburg|Habsburg]]
| event_end = To [[House of Habsburg|Habsburg]]
| date_event5 = 1482
| year_end = 1482
| event_end = Occupied by [[French First Republic|France]]
| event_post = Occupied by [[French First Republic|France]]
| event_post = [[Luxembourg|Grand Duchy]] re-established
| p1 = County of Luxembourg
| p1 = County of Luxemburg
| flag_p1 = Arms of the Counts of Luxembourg.svg
| border_p1 = no
| image_p1 = [[File:Arms of the Count of Luxembourg.svg|20px|link=County of Luxemburg]]
| p2 = Vianden
| p2 = Vianden
| image_p2 =
| s1 = French First Republic
| s1 = French First Republic
| flag_s1 = Flag of France.svg
| flag_s1 = Flag of France.svg|
| flag_s2 = Banner of the Burgundian Cross of Burgundy.svg
| capital = [[Luxembourg (city)|Luxembourg]]
| s2 = Burgundian Netherlands
| capital = [[Luxembourg (city)|Luxembourg]]
| common_languages = [[Luxembourgish language|Luxembourgish]], German, French
| common_languages = {{ubl|[[Luxembourgish language|Luxembourgish]]|[[German language|German]]|[[French language|French]]}}
| religion = [[Catholic Church]]
| demonym =
| religion = [[Roman Catholicism]]
| area_km2 =
| demonym =
| area_rank =
| area_km2 =
| GDP_PPP =
| area_rank =
| GDP_PPP_year =
| GDP_PPP =
| HDI =
| GDP_PPP_year =
| HDI_year =
| HDI =
| today =
| HDI_year =
| today =
}}
}}
{{History of the Low Countries}}
{{History of the Low Countries}}


The '''Duchy of Luxemburg''' ({{lang-nl|Luxemburg}}; {{lang-fr|Luxembourg}}; {{lang-de|Luxemburg}}; {{lang-lb|Lëtzebuerg}}) was a [[Imperial state|state]] of the [[Holy Roman Empire]], the ancestral homeland of the noble [[House of Luxembourg]]. The [[House of Luxembourg]], now [[Duke of Limburg]], became one of the most important political forces in the 14th century, competing against the [[House of Habsburg]] for supremacy in [[Central Europe]]. They would be the heirs to the [[Přemyslid dynasty]] in the [[Kingdom of Bohemia]], succeeding the [[Kingdom of Hungary]] and contributing four [[Holy Roman Emperor]]s until their own line of male heirs came to an end and the House of Habsburg got the pieces that the two Houses had originally agreed upon in the Treaty of Brünn in 1364.<ref name="friesian1">{{cite web|url=http://www.friesian.com/lorraine.htm#luxemold |title=Francia Media: Lorraine & Burgundy |publisher=Friesian.com |date=6 August 1914 |accessdate=1 February 2013}}</ref>
The '''Duchy of Luxembourg''' ({{lang-nl|Luxemburg}}; {{lang-fr|Luxembourg}}; {{lang-de|Luxemburg}}; {{lang-lb|Lëtzebuerg}}) was a [[Imperial state|state]] of the [[Holy Roman Empire]], the ancestral homeland of the noble [[House of Luxembourg]]. The House of Luxembourg became one of the most important political forces in the 14th century, competing against the [[House of Habsburg]] for supremacy in [[Central Europe]]. They would be the heirs to the [[Přemyslid dynasty]] in the [[Kingdom of Bohemia]], succeeding to the [[Kingdom of Hungary]] and contributing four [[Holy Roman Emperor]]s until their own line of male heirs came to an end and the House of Habsburg received the territories that the two Houses had originally agreed upon in the Treaty of Brünn in 1364.


In 1443, the duchy passed to Duke [[Philip the Good]] of Burgundy of the French [[House of Valois-Burgundy|House of Valois]], and, in 1477, by marriage to Archduke [[Maximilian I of Austria]] of the [[House of Habsburg]]. The [[Seventeen Provinces]] of the former [[Burgundian Netherlands]] were formed into an integral union by [[Holy Roman Emperor Charles V]] in the [[Pragmatic Sanction of 1549]]. In 1795, French revolutionaries ended this situation.
In 1443, the duchy passed to Duke [[Philip the Good]] of Burgundy of the French [[House of Valois-Burgundy|House of Valois]], and, in 1477, by marriage to Archduke [[Maximilian I of Austria]] of the [[House of Habsburg]]. The [[Seventeen Provinces]] of the former [[Burgundian Netherlands]] were formed into an integral union by [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor]] in the [[Pragmatic Sanction of 1549]]. In 1795, [[French Revolution|French revolutionaries]] ended this situation.


==Pre-Duchy==
==Pre-Duchy==
[[File:Early settlements in LuxbrgCity-english.jpg|thumb|Early settlements in the area of modern-day Luxembourg before the 10th century with the church of Saint-Saveur (today [[Saint Michael's Church, Luxembourg|Saint-Michel]]) built in 987|376x376px]]
[[File:Early settlements in LuxbrgCity-english.jpg|thumb|Early settlements in the area of modern-day Luxembourg before the 10th century with the church of Saint-Saveur (today [[Saint Michael's Church, Luxembourg|Saint-Michel]]) built in 987|376x376px]]


The first known reference to the territory was made by [[Julius Caesar]] in his ''[[Commentarii de Bello Gallico|Commentaries on the Gallic War]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09465a.htm |title=Luxembourg |accessdate=30 July 2006 |year=1913 |publisher=Catholic Encyclopaedia }}</ref> The historical region of Luxembourg belonged to the Roman province of [[Belgica Prima]].<ref>"Luxembourg." ''Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia,'' 16. Funk & Wagnalls, Inc., 1990. {{ISBN|0-8343-0091-5}}</ref> After the invasion of the [[Germanic tribes]] from the East, Luxembourg became part of the [[Frankish Empire]]. By the 843 [[Treaty of Verdun]], it became part of the [[Lotharingia]]n province of [[Middle Francia]]. According to the [[Treaty of Ribemont]] in 880, it had finally fallen to [[East Francia]].
The first known reference to the territory was made by [[Julius Caesar]] in his ''[[Commentarii de Bello Gallico]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09465a.htm |title=Luxembourg |access-date=30 July 2006 |year=1913 |publisher=Catholic Encyclopaedia }}</ref> The historical region of Luxembourg belonged to the Roman province of [[Belgica Prima]].<ref>"Luxembourg." ''Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia,'' 16. Funk & Wagnalls, Inc., 1990. {{ISBN|0-8343-0091-5}}</ref> After the invasion of the [[Germanic tribes]] from the East, Luxembourg became part of the [[Frankish Empire]]. By the 843 [[Treaty of Verdun]], it became part of the [[Lotharingia]]n province of [[Middle Francia]]. According to the [[Treaty of Ribemont]] in 880, it had finally fallen to [[East Francia]].


Modern historians explain the etymology of the word ''Luxembourg'' as coming from the word ''Letze'', meaning fortification,<ref>J.-P. Koltz, ''Baugeschichte der Stadt und Festung Luxemburg, I. Band''</ref> which might have referred to either the remains of a Roman watchtower or a primitive refuge of the [[Early Middle Ages]].
Modern historians explain the etymology of the word ''Luxembourg'' as coming from the word ''Letze'', meaning fortification,<ref>J.-P. Koltz, ''Baugeschichte der Stadt und Festung Luxemburg, I. Band''</ref> which might have referred to either the remains of a Roman watchtower or a primitive refuge of the [[Early Middle Ages]].
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{{see also|County of Luxemburg}}
{{see also|County of Luxemburg}}


By the 959 partition of [[Lotharingia]], the Luxembourg region had passed to [[Frederick I, Duke of Upper Lorraine|Duke Frederick I of Upper Lorraine]] of the [[Ardennes-Verdun dynasty]], a son of [[Count palatine|Count Palatine]] [[Wigeric of Lotharingia]]. In 963, [[Siegfried of Luxembourg|Count Siegfried]], probably a younger brother of Duke Frederick I, purchased some land from Abbot Wikerus of [[St. Maximin's Abbey, Trier|Saint Maximin's]] in [[Trier]]. This land was centered on a ruined (supposedly [[Roman Empire|Roman]]) fort by the [[Old High German]] name of ''Lucilinburhuc'' (commonly translated as "little castle"). In the following years, Count Siegfried had a new castle built on the site of these ruins, on a rock that would later be called ''[[Bock (Luxembourg)|Bock Fiels]]''. This castle dominated a stretch of the old Roman road linking [[Reims]], Arlon, and [[Trier]], and opened some prospects for trade and taxation. Despite this new construction, it seems that Siegfried and his immediate successors did not make the castle their primary residence. The history of Luxembourg proper began with the construction of this castle.
By the 959 partition of [[Lotharingia]], the Luxembourg region had passed to [[Frederick I, Duke of Upper Lorraine]] of the [[House of Ardenne–Bar]], a son of [[Count palatine|Count Palatine]] [[Wigeric of Lotharingia]]. In 963, [[Siegfried of Luxembourg|Count Siegfried]], probably a younger brother of Duke Frederick I, purchased some land from Abbot Wikerus of [[St. Maximin's Abbey, Trier]]. This land was centered on a ruined (supposedly [[Roman Empire|Roman]]) fort by the [[Old High German]] name of ''Lucilinburhuc'' (commonly translated as "little castle"). In the following years, Count Siegfried had a new castle built on the site of these ruins, on a rock that would later be called ''[[Bock (Luxembourg)|Bock Fiels]]''. This castle dominated a stretch of the old Roman road linking [[Reims]], [[Arlon]], and [[Trier]], and opened some prospects for trade and taxation. Despite this new construction, it seems that Siegfried and his immediate successors did not make the castle their primary residence. The history of Luxembourg proper began with the construction of this castle.


In the following years, a small town and market grew around the new castle. The first inhabitants were probably servants of Count Siegfried and clergy of [[Saint Michael's Church, Luxembourg|Saint Michael's church]]. This settlement soon received additional protection by the construction of a first, partial [[city wall]] and [[moat]].
In the following years, a small town and market grew around the new castle. The first inhabitants were probably servants of Count Siegfried and clergy of [[Saint Michael's Church, Luxembourg|Saint Michael's church]]. This settlement soon received additional protection by the construction of a first, partial [[city wall]] and [[moat]].
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Around this fort, the town gradually developed and became the center of a small, but important state of great strategic value to [[France in the Middle Ages|France]], [[Kingdom of Germany|Germany]], and the [[Low Countries]]. Luxembourg's fortress was steadily enlarged and strengthened over the years by successive owners, making the [[Fortress of Luxembourg]] one of the strongest in continental Europe. Its formidable defenses and strategic location caused it to become known as the [[Gibraltar]] of the North.
Around this fort, the town gradually developed and became the center of a small, but important state of great strategic value to [[France in the Middle Ages|France]], [[Kingdom of Germany|Germany]], and the [[Low Countries]]. Luxembourg's fortress was steadily enlarged and strengthened over the years by successive owners, making the [[Fortress of Luxembourg]] one of the strongest in continental Europe. Its formidable defenses and strategic location caused it to become known as the [[Gibraltar]] of the North.


The [[House of Luxembourg]] provided several [[Holy Roman Emperor]]s, kings of [[Bohemia]], and [[archbishop]]s of [[Trier]] and [[Mainz]]. From the [[Early Middle Ages]] to the [[Renaissance]], Luxembourg bore multiple names, including Lucilinburhuc, Lutzburg, Lützelburg, Luccelemburc, and Lichtburg, among others.
The [[House of Luxembourg]] provided several [[Holy Roman Emperor]]s, kings of [[Kingdom of Bohemia|Bohemia]], and [[archbishop]]s of [[Electorate of Trier|Trier]] and [[Electorate of Mainz|Mainz]]. From the [[Early Middle Ages]] to the [[Renaissance]], Luxembourg bore multiple names, including Lucilinburhuc, Lutzburg, Lützelburg, Luccelemburc, and Lichtburg, among others.


==The Duchy (1353–1795)==
==The Duchy (1353–1797)==


Luxembourg remained an independent [[fief]] (county) of the [[Holy Roman Empire]], when, in 1354, [[Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor Charles IV]] elevated it to the status of a [[duchy]] for his brother [[Wenceslaus I, Duke of Luxembourg|Wenceslaus]]. The ducal lands had been formed in 1353 by integration of the old County of Luxembourg, the [[margrave|marquisat]] of [[Arlon]], the counties of [[Durbuy]] and [[La Roche-en-Ardenne|Laroche]], and the districts of [[Thionville]], [[Bitburg]], and [[Marville, Meuse|Marville]]. The county of [[Vianden]] can also be included as it had been a [[vassal]] of the counts and dukes of Luxembourg since about 31 July 1264.
Luxembourg remained an independent [[fief]] (county) of the [[Holy Roman Empire]], when, in 1354, [[Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor Charles IV]] elevated it to the status of a [[duchy]] for his brother [[Wenceslaus I, Duke of Luxembourg|Wenceslaus]]. The ducal lands had been formed in 1353 by integration of the old County of Luxembourg, the [[margrave|marquisat]] of [[Arlon]], the counties of [[Durbuy]] and [[La Roche-en-Ardenne|Laroche]], and the districts of [[Thionville]], [[Bitburg]], and [[Marville, Meuse|Marville]]. The county of [[Vianden]] can also be included as it had been a [[vassal]] of the counts and dukes of Luxembourg since about 31 July 1264.


In 1411, [[Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor|Sigismund of Luxembourg]] lost the duchy to his niece [[Elisabeth, Duchess of Luxembourg|Elisabeth]] because he defaulted on a loan. Elizabeth later sold the duchy to the [[Philip the Good|Duke of Burgundy, Philip the Good]] of the [[House of Valois-Burgundy]], who paid her off in 1444. The [[dukes of Burgundy]] had previously acquired a number of other possessions in the [[Low Countries]], including [[County of Flanders|Flanders]], [[County of Artois|Artois]], [[County of Hainaut|Hainaut]], [[Duchy of Brabant|Brabant]], [[County of Zeeland|Zeeland]], [[County of Holland|Holland]], and [[County of Namur|Namur]]; Luxembourg and these other Burgundian possessions in the Low Countries are collectively referred to during this period (1384–1482) as the [[Burgundian Netherlands]]. The male line of the dukes of Burgundy died out in 1477 when Philip's son [[Charles the Bold]] died at the [[Battle of Nancy]], leaving [[Mary of Burgundy]], his only child, as his heiress. After his death, Mary married [[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor|Archduke Maximilian I]] of the [[House of Habsburg]], who later became [[Holy Roman Emperor]]. The Burgundian Netherlands then came under the rule of the House of Habsburg, beginning the period of the [[Habsburg Netherlands]] (1482–1581).
In 1411, [[Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor|Sigismund of Luxembourg]] lost the duchy to his niece [[Elisabeth, Duchess of Luxembourg|Elisabeth]] because he defaulted on a loan. Elizabeth later sold the duchy to [[Philip the Good]], duke of Burgundy of the [[House of Valois-Burgundy]], who paid her off in 1444. The [[dukes of Burgundy]] had previously acquired a number of other possessions in the [[Low Countries]], including [[County of Flanders|Flanders]], [[County of Artois|Artois]], [[County of Hainaut|Hainaut]], [[Duchy of Brabant|Brabant]], [[County of Zeeland|Zeeland]], [[County of Holland|Holland]], and [[County of Namur|Namur]]; Luxembourg and these other Burgundian possessions in the Low Countries are collectively referred to during this period (1384–1482) as the [[Burgundian Netherlands]]. The male line of the dukes of Burgundy died out in 1477 when Philip's son [[Charles the Bold]] died at the [[Battle of Nancy]], leaving [[Mary of Burgundy]], his only child, as his heiress. After his death, Mary married [[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor|Archduke Maximilian I]] of the [[House of Habsburg]], who later became [[Holy Roman Emperor]]. The Burgundian Netherlands then came under the rule of the House of Habsburg, beginning the period of the [[Habsburg Netherlands]] (1482–1581).


With the abdication in 1555 of [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Holy Roman Emperor Charles V]] (also King of Spain Charles I), the Habsburg Netherlands passed to his son [[Philip II of Spain|King Philip II of Spain]]. During the [[Dutch Revolt]], or [[Eighty Years War]], the seven northern provinces of the Habsburg Netherlands broke away from Spain to form the [[Dutch Republic]] in 1581, while the remaining ten southern provinces (including [[Luxembourg]]) remained under Spanish rule until 1714. During this time, the remaining southern provinces were referred to as the [[Spanish Netherlands]] (or [[Southern Netherlands]], a name that continued under Austrian rule). The [[War of the Spanish Succession]], which was fought after the Spanish Habsburg line died out in 1700, resulted in the Spanish Netherlands coming under the rule of the [[Habsburg Monarchy]] of [[Austria]] in 1714, thereby beginning the period of the [[Austrian Netherlands]]. The area remained under Austrian rule until the [[French Revolution]], when it was taken over by France in 1795.
With the abdication in 1556 of [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor]] (also King of Spain as Charles I), the Habsburg Netherlands passed to his son King [[Philip II of Spain]]. During the Dutch Revolt, or [[Eighty Years War]], the seven northern provinces of the Habsburg Netherlands broke away from Spain to form the [[Dutch Republic]] in 1581, while the remaining ten southern provinces (including Luxembourg) remained under Spanish rule until 1714. During this time, the remaining southern provinces were referred to as the [[Spanish Netherlands]] (or [[Southern Netherlands]], a name that continued under Austrian rule). The [[War of the Spanish Succession]], which was fought after the Spanish Habsburg line died out in 1700, resulted in the Spanish Netherlands coming under the rule of [[Habsburg monarchy|Austria]] in 1714, thereby beginning the period of the [[Austrian Netherlands]]. The area remained under Austrian rule until the [[French Revolution]], when it was taken over by France in 1795. Austria confirmed its loss in the 1797 [[Treaty of Campo Formio]].


==Post-Duchy (1795–present)==
==Post-Duchy (1797–present)==
{{see also|Grand Duchy of Luxembourg}}
{{see also|Grand Duchy of Luxembourg}}
[[File:LuxembourgPartitionsMap english.png|thumb|The [[Partitions of Luxembourg|three partitions]] greatly reduced the country's territory over the years.]]
[[File:LuxembourgPartitionsMap english.png|thumb|The [[Partitions of Luxembourg|three partitions]] greatly reduced the country's territory over the years.]]


The [[Southern Netherlands]], including Luxemburg, were annexed by the [[French First Republic]] on 1 October 1795<ref>Kreins (2003), p.64</ref> and on 24 October the [[Forêts]] {{lang|fr|[[departments of France|département]]}} was established from the territory of the duchies of Luxemburg and the [[Duchy of Bouillon|Bouillon]].<ref>Kreins (2003), pp.64–5</ref> Centred on [[Luxembourg City]], it lay in what is today Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. Its name, meaning "forests", comes from the [[Ardennes]] forests.
[[Forêts]] was a ''[[departments of France|département]]'' of the [[French First Republic]], and later the [[First French Empire]] in present [[Belgium]], Luxembourg, and Germany. Its name, meaning "forests," comes from the [[Ardennes]] forests. It was formed on 24 October 1795,<ref>Kreins (2003), pp.64–5</ref> after the [[Southern Netherlands]] had been annexed by France on 1 October.<ref>Kreins (2003), p.64</ref> Before the occupation of the French, the territory was part of the Duchy of Luxemburg and the [[Duchy of Bouillon]]. Luxembourg lost a small amount of its territory to [[Prussia]] in 1813.


A small amount of the former Luxemburg territory was ceded to [[Prussia]] in 1813.
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Its capital was [[Luxembourg City]]. After [[Napoleon]] was defeated in 1814, most of it became part of the [[United Kingdom of the Netherlands]], with the part on the east side of the rivers [[Our (river)|Our]] and [[Sauer]] becoming part of [[Prussia]] (now Germany). At the [[Congress of Vienna]] in 1815 some of the land of the former Duchy of Luxemburg was given to Prussia to satisfy a dynastic claim and the remainder was created as a new [[Grand Duchy of Luxemburg]] which also became a member of the [[German Confederation]] and given to [[William I of the Netherlands|King William I of the Netherlands]] in a [[personal union]] with the [[United Kingdom of the Netherlands]].


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After [[Napoleon]]'s defeat in 1814 and the [[Congress of Vienna]] in 1815 most of Forêts became part of the [[United Kingdom of the Netherlands]], with the part on the east side of the rivers [[Our (river)|Our]] and [[Sauer]] becoming part of Prussia (now Germany) to satisfy a dynastic claim. Rather than being integrated into the Netherlands the new [[Grand Duchy of Luxemburg]] was established, which was held in a [[personal union]] with the Netherlands by King [[William I of the Netherlands|William I]]. Unlike the Netherlands it became a member of the [[German Confederation]], and a garrison of the [[Kingdom of Prussia]] was stationed there.
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Unlike the Netherlands, however, Luxembourg was part of the [[German Confederation]] established in 1815, and a garrison of the [[Kingdom of Prussia]] was stationed there. After the [[Kingdom of Belgium]] gained its independence from the Netherlands in 1830, Luxembourg was partitioned in 1839, with the larger western portion of the grand duchy going to Belgium, so that the grand duchy comprised only the smaller eastern portion. The personal union between Luxembourg's throne and the Dutch throne continued until the death of [[William III of the Netherlands|William III]] in 1890, at which time the Dutch throne passed to his daughter [[Wilhelmina of the Netherlands|Wilhelmina]] and the Luxembourg throne passed to [[Adolphe, Grand Duke of Luxembourg|Adolph of Nassau-Weilburg]].<ref name="friesian1" />


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After the [[Kingdom of Belgium]] gained its independence from the Netherlands in 1830, Luxembourg was partitioned in the [[Treaty of London (1839)]], with the larger western portion of the grand duchy going to Belgium (as the [[Province of Luxembourg]]); only the smaller eastern portion remained part of the grand duchy. The personal union between the Luxembourg and Dutch thrones continued until the death of [[William III of the Netherlands|William III]] in 1890, at which time the Dutch throne passed to his daughter [[Wilhelmina of the Netherlands|Wilhelmina]] while the Luxembourg throne passed to [[Adolphe, Grand Duke of Luxembourg|Adolph of Nassau-Weilburg]].
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The territory of the former Duchy of Luxembourg is now divided between the [[Luxembourg|Grand Duchy of Luxembourg]], the Belgian province of [[Luxembourg (Belgium)|Luxembourg]], the German ''[[States of Germany|Land]]'' of [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] and the [[France|French]] departments of [[Ardennes (department)|Ardennes]], [[Meuse (department)|Meuse]] and [[Moselle (department)|Moselle]], the latter part being referred to as {{ill|French Luxemburg|fr|Luxembourg français}} since the 1659 [[Treaty of the Pyrenees]].

⚫
The territory of the former Duchy of Luxembourg is today divided between the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Belgian province of Luxembourg, the German {{lang|de|[[States of Germany|Land]]}} of [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] and the [[France|French]] departments of [[Ardennes (department)|Ardennes]], [[Meuse (department)|Meuse]] and [[Moselle (department)|Moselle]], the latter part being referred to as {{ill|French Luxemburg|fr|Luxembourg français}} since the 1659 [[Treaty of the Pyrenees]].


==Notes==
==Notes==
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{{Lower Rhenish–Westphalian Circle}}
{{Lower Rhenish–Westphalian Circle}}
{{Burgundian Circle}}
{{Burgundian Circle}}
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{{coord|49.61|6.13|dim:100000_region:LU|display=title}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

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{{Coord|49.61|6.13|dim:100000_region:LU|display=title}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Luxemburg, Duchy of}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Luxemburg, Duchy of}}
[[Category:Duchy of Luxembourg| ]]
[[Category:Duchy of Luxembourg| ]]
[[Category:County of Luxembourg|Luxemburg]]
[[Category:Duchies of the Holy Roman Empire]]
[[Category:Duchies of the Holy Roman Empire]]
[[Category:Seventeen Provinces]]
[[Category:Seventeen Provinces]]
[[Category:14th century in Luxembourg|Luxemburg]]
[[Category:14th century in Luxembourg|Luxemburg]]
[[Category:15th century in Luxembourg|Luxemburg]]
[[Category:15th century in Luxembourg|Luxemburg]]
[[Category:Early Modern Luxembourg|Luxemburg]]
[[Category:Early modern history of Luxembourg|Luxemburg]]
[[Category:Austrian Netherlands]]
[[Category:Spanish Netherlands]]
[[Category:States and territories established in the 960s]]
[[Category:States and territories established in the 960s]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1353]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1353]]
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[[Category:1353 establishments in Europe]]
[[Category:1353 establishments in Europe]]
[[Category:1795 disestablishments in the Holy Roman Empire]]
[[Category:1795 disestablishments in the Holy Roman Empire]]
[[Category:Former monarchies of Europe]]

Latest revision as of 21:04, 3 June 2024

For the modern state, see Luxembourg.

Duchy of Luxembourg
Herzogtum Lëtzebuerg (Luxembourgish)
Herzogtum Luxemburg (German)
Duché de Luxembourg (French)
Hertogdom Luxemburg (Dutch)
Ducatus Luxemburgensis (Latin)
1353–1443/1797
Luxembourg within the Low Countries, 1350
Luxembourg within the Low Countries, 1350
StatusState of the Holy Roman Empire
Part of the Burgundian Netherlands (1443–1482)
Part of the Habsburg Netherlands (1482–1581)
Part of the Spanish Netherlands (1581–1714)
Part of the Austrian Netherlands (1714–1795)
CapitalLuxembourg
Common languages
Religion
Roman Catholicism
GovernmentFeudal Duchy
Duke of Luxemburg 
• 1353–1383
Wenceslaus I (first)
• 1415–1419
Elizabeth of Görlitz
• 1419–1425
John the Fearless
• 1425–1443
Elizabeth of Gorlitz (last)
• 1439–1482
William III of Saxony (claimant)
Historical eraMiddle Ages
• Obtained by Sigfried
963
• Acquired by Luxembourg dynasty
1059
• Raised to county
1214
• Raised to duchy by the Emperor
1354
• Held by the Dukes of Burgundy
1443
• To Habsburg
1482
• Occupied by France
1797
ISO 3166 codeLU
Preceded by		 Succeeded by
County of Luxembourg
Vianden
French First Republic
Burgundian Netherlands
History of the Low Countries
Frisii Belgae
Cana–
nefates 		Chamavi,
Tubantes 		Gallia Belgica (55 BC–c. 5th AD)
Germania Inferior (83–c. 5th)
Salian Franks Batavi
unpopulated
(4th–c. 5th) 		Saxons Salian Franks
(4th–c. 5th)
Frisian Kingdom
(c. 6th–734) 		Frankish Kingdom (481–843)—Carolingian Empire (800–843)
Austrasia (511–687)
Middle Francia (843–855) West
Francia
(843–)
Kingdom of Lotharingia (855– 959)
Duchy of Lower Lorraine (959–)
Frisia


Frisian
Freedom
(11–16th
century)
County of
Holland
(880–1432)
Bishopric of
Utrecht
(695–1456)
Duchy of
Brabant
(1183–1430)

Duchy of
Guelders
(1046–1543)
County of
Flanders
(862–1384)
County of
Hainaut
(1071–1432)

County of
Namur
(981–1421)
P.-Bish.
of Liège

(980–1794)
Duchy of
Luxem-
bourg
(1059–1443)
 
Burgundian Netherlands (1384–1482)

Habsburg Netherlands (1482–1795)
(Seventeen Provinces after 1543) 		 

Dutch Republic
(1581–1795)
Spanish Netherlands
(1556–1714) 		 
 
Austrian Netherlands
(1714–1795)
 
United States of Belgium
(1790)
R. Liège
(1789–'91)
     

Batavian Republic (1795–1806)
Kingdom of Holland (1806–1810)
associated with French First Republic (1795–1804)
part of First French Empire (1804–1815)
   

Princip. of the Netherlands (1813–1815) 		 
Kingdom of the Netherlands (1815–1830)
Gr D. L.
(1815–)

Kingdom of the Netherlands (1839–)
Kingdom of Belgium (1830–)

Gr D. of
Luxem-
bourg
(1890–)

The Duchy of Luxembourg (Dutch: Luxemburg; French: Luxembourg; German: Luxemburg; Luxembourgish: Lëtzebuerg) was a state of the Holy Roman Empire, the ancestral homeland of the noble House of Luxembourg. The House of Luxembourg became one of the most important political forces in the 14th century, competing against the House of Habsburg for supremacy in Central Europe. They would be the heirs to the Přemyslid dynasty in the Kingdom of Bohemia, succeeding to the Kingdom of Hungary and contributing four Holy Roman Emperors until their own line of male heirs came to an end and the House of Habsburg received the territories that the two Houses had originally agreed upon in the Treaty of Brünn in 1364.

In 1443, the duchy passed to Duke Philip the Good of Burgundy of the French House of Valois, and, in 1477, by marriage to Archduke Maximilian I of Austria of the House of Habsburg. The Seventeen Provinces of the former Burgundian Netherlands were formed into an integral union by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor in the Pragmatic Sanction of 1549. In 1795, French revolutionaries ended this situation.

Pre-Duchy

[edit]
Early settlements in the area of modern-day Luxembourg before the 10th century with the church of Saint-Saveur (today Saint-Michel) built in 987

The first known reference to the territory was made by Julius Caesar in his Commentarii de Bello Gallico.[1] The historical region of Luxembourg belonged to the Roman province of Belgica Prima.[2] After the invasion of the Germanic tribes from the East, Luxembourg became part of the Frankish Empire. By the 843 Treaty of Verdun, it became part of the Lotharingian province of Middle Francia. According to the Treaty of Ribemont in 880, it had finally fallen to East Francia.

Modern historians explain the etymology of the word Luxembourg as coming from the word Letze, meaning fortification,[3] which might have referred to either the remains of a Roman watchtower or a primitive refuge of the Early Middle Ages.

Proto-Duchy (963–1353)

[edit]
See also: County of Luxemburg

By the 959 partition of Lotharingia, the Luxembourg region had passed to Frederick I, Duke of Upper Lorraine of the House of Ardenne–Bar, a son of Count Palatine Wigeric of Lotharingia. In 963, Count Siegfried, probably a younger brother of Duke Frederick I, purchased some land from Abbot Wikerus of St. Maximin's Abbey, Trier. This land was centered on a ruined (supposedly Roman) fort by the Old High German name of Lucilinburhuc (commonly translated as "little castle"). In the following years, Count Siegfried had a new castle built on the site of these ruins, on a rock that would later be called Bock Fiels. This castle dominated a stretch of the old Roman road linking Reims, Arlon, and Trier, and opened some prospects for trade and taxation. Despite this new construction, it seems that Siegfried and his immediate successors did not make the castle their primary residence. The history of Luxembourg proper began with the construction of this castle.

In the following years, a small town and market grew around the new castle. The first inhabitants were probably servants of Count Siegfried and clergy of Saint Michael's church. This settlement soon received additional protection by the construction of a first, partial city wall and moat.

In addition to the small town near Bock Fiels and the Roman road, another settlement was formed in the Alzette Valley (today the Grund quarter). By 1083, this lower town contained two churches, two bridges of the rivers Alzette, and Petruss. Its inhabitants pursued various professions, including fishing, baking and milling. That same year, the Benedictine abbey of Altmünster was founded by Count Conrad on the hill behind Luxembourg castle.

Henry III was the first count known to have established his permanent residence in Luxembourg castle. In a document from the year 1089, he is referred to as comes Henricus de Lutzeleburg, which also makes him the first documented count of Luxembourg.

Around this fort, the town gradually developed and became the center of a small, but important state of great strategic value to France, Germany, and the Low Countries. Luxembourg's fortress was steadily enlarged and strengthened over the years by successive owners, making the Fortress of Luxembourg one of the strongest in continental Europe. Its formidable defenses and strategic location caused it to become known as the Gibraltar of the North.

The House of Luxembourg provided several Holy Roman Emperors, kings of Bohemia, and archbishops of Trier and Mainz. From the Early Middle Ages to the Renaissance, Luxembourg bore multiple names, including Lucilinburhuc, Lutzburg, Lützelburg, Luccelemburc, and Lichtburg, among others.

The Duchy (1353–1797)

[edit]

Luxembourg remained an independent fief (county) of the Holy Roman Empire, when, in 1354, Emperor Charles IV elevated it to the status of a duchy for his brother Wenceslaus. The ducal lands had been formed in 1353 by integration of the old County of Luxembourg, the marquisat of Arlon, the counties of Durbuy and Laroche, and the districts of Thionville, Bitburg, and Marville. The county of Vianden can also be included as it had been a vassal of the counts and dukes of Luxembourg since about 31 July 1264.

In 1411, Sigismund of Luxembourg lost the duchy to his niece Elisabeth because he defaulted on a loan. Elizabeth later sold the duchy to Philip the Good, duke of Burgundy of the House of Valois-Burgundy, who paid her off in 1444. The dukes of Burgundy had previously acquired a number of other possessions in the Low Countries, including Flanders, Artois, Hainaut, Brabant, Zeeland, Holland, and Namur; Luxembourg and these other Burgundian possessions in the Low Countries are collectively referred to during this period (1384–1482) as the Burgundian Netherlands. The male line of the dukes of Burgundy died out in 1477 when Philip's son Charles the Bold died at the Battle of Nancy, leaving Mary of Burgundy, his only child, as his heiress. After his death, Mary married Archduke Maximilian I of the House of Habsburg, who later became Holy Roman Emperor. The Burgundian Netherlands then came under the rule of the House of Habsburg, beginning the period of the Habsburg Netherlands (1482–1581).

With the abdication in 1556 of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (also King of Spain as Charles I), the Habsburg Netherlands passed to his son King Philip II of Spain. During the Dutch Revolt, or Eighty Years War, the seven northern provinces of the Habsburg Netherlands broke away from Spain to form the Dutch Republic in 1581, while the remaining ten southern provinces (including Luxembourg) remained under Spanish rule until 1714. During this time, the remaining southern provinces were referred to as the Spanish Netherlands (or Southern Netherlands, a name that continued under Austrian rule). The War of the Spanish Succession, which was fought after the Spanish Habsburg line died out in 1700, resulted in the Spanish Netherlands coming under the rule of Austria in 1714, thereby beginning the period of the Austrian Netherlands. The area remained under Austrian rule until the French Revolution, when it was taken over by France in 1795. Austria confirmed its loss in the 1797 Treaty of Campo Formio.

Post-Duchy (1797–present)

[edit]
See also: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
The three partitions greatly reduced the country's territory over the years.

The Southern Netherlands, including Luxemburg, were annexed by the French First Republic on 1 October 1795[4] and on 24 October the Forêts département was established from the territory of the duchies of Luxemburg and the Bouillon.[5] Centred on Luxembourg City, it lay in what is today Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. Its name, meaning "forests", comes from the Ardennes forests.

A small amount of the former Luxemburg territory was ceded to Prussia in 1813.

After Napoleon's defeat in 1814 and the Congress of Vienna in 1815 most of Forêts became part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, with the part on the east side of the rivers Our and Sauer becoming part of Prussia (now Germany) to satisfy a dynastic claim. Rather than being integrated into the Netherlands the new Grand Duchy of Luxemburg was established, which was held in a personal union with the Netherlands by King William I. Unlike the Netherlands it became a member of the German Confederation, and a garrison of the Kingdom of Prussia was stationed there.

After the Kingdom of Belgium gained its independence from the Netherlands in 1830, Luxembourg was partitioned in the Treaty of London (1839), with the larger western portion of the grand duchy going to Belgium (as the Province of Luxembourg); only the smaller eastern portion remained part of the grand duchy. The personal union between the Luxembourg and Dutch thrones continued until the death of William III in 1890, at which time the Dutch throne passed to his daughter Wilhelmina while the Luxembourg throne passed to Adolph of Nassau-Weilburg.

The territory of the former Duchy of Luxembourg is today divided between the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Belgian province of Luxembourg, the German Land of Rhineland-Palatinate and the French departments of Ardennes, Meuse and Moselle, the latter part being referred to as French Luxemburg [fr] since the 1659 Treaty of the Pyrenees.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ "Luxembourg". Catholic Encyclopaedia. 1913. Retrieved 30 July 2006.
  2. ^ "Luxembourg." Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia, 16. Funk & Wagnalls, Inc., 1990. ISBN 0-8343-0091-5
  3. ^ J.-P. Koltz, Baugeschichte der Stadt und Festung Luxemburg, I. Band
  4. ^ Kreins (2003), p.64
  5. ^ Kreins (2003), pp.64–5

References

[edit]
  • Ermesinde et l'affranchissement de la ville de Luxembourg; Etudes sur la femme, le pouvoir et la ville au XIIIe siècle, sous la direction de Michel Margue, Publications du Musée d'Histoire de la Ville de Luxembourg, Publications du CLUDEM tome 7, Luxembourg 1994.
  • Tatsachen aus der Geschichte des Luxemburger Landes, Dr. P. J. Müller, Luxemburg 1963, Verlag "de Frendeskres", Imprimerie Bourg-Bourger.
  • Vivre au Moyen Age: Luxembourg, Metz et Trèves; Etudes sur l'histoire et l'archéologie urbaines, sous la direction du Musée d'Histoire de la Ville de Luxembourg, Publications Scientifiques du Musée d'Histoire de la Ville de Luxembourg, tome 2, Luxembourg 1998.
[edit]

49°37′N 6°08′E / 49.61°N 6.13°E / 49.61; 6.13

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