Duke of Lothier facts for kids

Lothier was a special territory that existed from 1190 until 1796. It was part of a bigger area known as the Duchy of Lower Lotharingia. The dukes of Brabant and the rulers who came after them governed Lothier.

What Was Lothier?

Lothier was not a huge area. It was a specific part of the old Duchy of Lower Lotharingia. It was governed by the dukes of Brabant. This arrangement started in 1190 and lasted until 1796.

How Lothier Became a Special Territory

In 1190, a very important meeting happened. It was called the Diet of Hall. The Holy Roman Emperor, Henry VI, made a big decision there. He decided that the Duke of Lower Lotharingia, who was Henry I of Brabant at the time, would only have real power over his own lands.

These lands included the county of Leuven. They also included lands given to him by the Emperor. These were called imperial fiefs. A fief was like land borrowed from the Emperor.

The Title of Duke of Lothier

After 1190, the title "Duke of Lothier" became mostly an honorary title. This means it was a fancy name, but it didn't give the duke much power over a large area. The duke's real power was only over his own lands.

A few special courts for Lothier still existed. But they only dealt with old feudal matters. These were rules about land ownership and loyalty from long ago.

Lands Included in Lothier

It's important not to confuse Lothier with the much larger Lower Lotharingia. Lothier only included specific areas:

• The county of Leuven and Brussels. The dukes of Brabant believed these lands were fully their own, not borrowed.
• The Duchy of Brabant. This was an imperial fief, meaning it was land granted by the Emperor. It became a duchy around 1183/1184. It also included the right to protect churches and religious groups in the area.
• The Margraviate of Antwerp. This was another traditional area that the Dukes of Lower Lotharingia used to manage.
• The right to protect the abbey of Nivelles. This was also an imperial fief.
• The right to protect the abbey of Gembloux.