Belgium, Feudal: Liege, Bishopric, 1 Liard – 1750

Description

The bishopric of Lieja was a principality of the Holy Empire, so its headline had a seat in the imperial diet. Prince”s title will have it since 980-985 A.D. in which Bishop Notker achieves the secular control of Otón II hands. The strategic position of the Principality between France and Germany, allowed bishops to maintain a high degree of independence and increase their secular positions, although always exceeding the size of diocesis that of possessions as prince. The formation of the Burgundy Netherlands, increased the pressure in the Principality, being also dominated by the Habsburgs, for whom its use in the “Spanish path” was vital to move troops between Italy and the Netherlands. In 1789 for a short period of time, the Republic of Liege was formed in parallel to the French Revolution, crushed by troops of the Holy Empire in 1791 that return control to the Prince. In 1795 the Principality ends with the annexation of the territory by France.