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Duchy of Lower Lotharingia | |
---|---|
959–1190 | |
Status | Part of East Francia (until 962) Part of the Holy Roman Empire |
Capital | Brussels |
Common languages | |
Religion | Christianity |
Government | Feudal duchy |
Duke | |
• 959–964 | Godfrey I (first) |
• 1142–1190 | Godfrey VIII (last) |
Historical era | Middle Ages |
• Established | 959 |
• Disestablished | 1190 |
The Duchy of Lower Lotharingia,[1] also called Northern Lotharingia,[2][3] Lower Lorraine or Northern Lorraine (and also referred to as Lothier or Lottier[4] in titles), was a stem duchy of the medieval Kingdom of Germany established in 959, which encompassed almost all of modern Belgium, Luxemburg, the northern part of the German Rhineland province and the eastern parts of France's Nord-Pas de Calais region. It also included almost all of modern Netherlands (the region of Frisia was loosely associated with the duchy but the duke exercised no de facto control over the territory).