Marquessate of Franchimont
The Marquessate of Franchimont was a lordship forming the western frontier of the Principality of Liège. Its base was the château de Franchimont. It was made up of the bans of Theux, Spa, Sart, Jalhay and later Verviers. The prince bishops of Liège first took the title of marquis of Franchimont at the start of the 16th century.[1]
Before the Liege Revolution, the Marquessate of Franchimont formed a small province within the Principality. This small country, six leagues long by four leagues wide, was bounded in by the duchy of Limburg, the duchy of Luxembourg and the principality of Stavelot-Malmédy.
The Marquessate was divided into five bans, whose capitals or burghs were:
- The ban of Theux (head-ban) with Oneux, La Reid, Polleur, Jehanster and Franchimont
- The ban of Verviers with Stembert, Ensival and Andrimont
- The ban of Jalhay
- The ban of Sart
- The ban of Spa
In all, it comprised around fifty villages and hamlets.
Notes
- ^ Arsène de Noüe, « Une promenade au pays de Franchimont », dans Bulletin de l'institut archéologique liégeois, volume 8, 1866, p. 465.