Duchy of Bar

County (Duchy) of Bar
Grafschaft (Herzogtum) Bar (German)
Comté (Duché) de Bar (French)
Barensis Comitatus (Ducatus) (Latin)
1033–1766
Coat of arms of Bar
Coat of arms
Map of France in 1477, showing the duchy of Bar in "Valois-Anjou" colours
Map of France in 1477, showing the duchy of Bar in "Valois-Anjou" colours
The Duchy of Bar in the 17th century, as against the modern administrative divisions of France
The Duchy of Bar in the 17th century, as against the modern administrative divisions of France
StatusVassal of Holy Roman Empire
CapitalBar-le-Duc
GovernmentFeudal monarchy
Historical eraMiddle Ages
• Established
1033
• Divided from the Duchy of Lorraine
1033
• Divided between France and the Empire
1301
• Raised to a duchy
1354
• United with the Duchy of Lorraine
1480
• Passed by treaty to the French crown
1766
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Duchy of Lorraine
Lorraine and Barrois

The County of Bar, later Duchy of Bar, was a principality of the Holy Roman Empire encompassing the pays de Barrois and centred on the city of Bar-le-Duc. It was held by the House of Montbéliard from the 11th century. Part of the county, the so-called Barrois mouvant, became a fief of the Kingdom of France in 1301 and was elevated to a duchy in 1354. The Barrois non-mouvant remained a part of the Empire. From 1480, it was united to the imperial Duchy of Lorraine.

Both imperial Bar and Lorraine came under the influence of France in 1735, with Bar ceded to the deposed king of Poland, Stanisław Leszczyński. According to the Treaty of Vienna (1738), the duchy would pass to the French crown upon Stanisław's death, which occurred in 1766.


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