Town of that Name and four and thirty Villages and Hamlets lies near adjacent to the Mayordom of Remich and belonged to the first Earls of Luxemburgh from whom it came to the Dukes of the same Place and successively to his Catholick Majesty in Demesn with all Rights of Jurisdiction and Sovereignty Henry the second of that Name the ninth Earl of Luxemburgh having in the year 1251. assigned to the Monastery of Clairfontain Fifty Measures of Rye upon his Demesns of Mackeren le Count as a Foundation for five Prebends in the said Monastery and in 1270. the said Earl sold the said Monastery Thirty Awms of Wine to be taken Annually out of his Demesns of Graven-Mackeren and Remich as was observed before Besides in the Year 1252. the Burrough of Mackeren was farm'd out by order of the said Earl Henry from whom it bears to this day the Name of Mackeren le count or Earls-Mackeren The Inhabitants were made Freemen of Luxemburgh and afterwards in 1327. gratified with many other Privileges by John the Twelfth King of Bohemia and Wenceslaus his Son first Duke of of Luxemburgh who in 1357. granted them a Weekly Market and lastly by Wenceslaus the Emperour second Duke of Luxemburgh who in 1584. confirm'd all their Privileges The Provostship of Echternach consisting in the Town and thirty three Villages and Hamlets c. 33. The Provostship of Echternach consisting in the Town of that Name and three and thirty Villages and Hamlets divided into the four Mayordoms of Osweiller Irrel Erenhen and Bollendorff belong'd to the first Earls of Luxemburgh in Demesn with full Right of all Jurisdiction and Sovereignty Which Earls had granted the Greatest part of their said Demesn to the Abbies of St. Willebrod and St. Clair at Echternach for Pious Uses Henry the second of that Name and Mineth Earl of Luxemburgh the Son of Wallerand de Limbourgh and Ermesinde Countess of Luxemburgh assigned in the Year 1240. 700 Livers a Year on his Lands in Echternach and Biedbourgh in Dower to his Wife Margaret de Barr. His Son Henry the Tenth Earl of Luxemburgh in 1277. ratified the Foundation made by Thiry de Kerpen and Margaret his Wife of an Anniversary in the Abby of Echternach out of his Rents at Wallendorf In 1398. the Deputies of the Town of Echternach did Fealty and Homage to the Emperour Wenceslaus second Duke of Luxemburgh and the Subjects of that Place have acknowledged his Catholick Majesty and his August Predecessors Earls and Dukes of Luxemburgh their Sovereigns and paid them Aids and Subsidies as well as other Places of the Province to this day The Town and Provostship of Biedbourgh consisting in the Franchise of Dusseldorf and 34 Villages 34. The Town and provostship of Biedbourgh consisting in the Franchise of Dusseldorf and four and thirty Villages having belong'd in Demesn with full Right of Jurisdiction and Sovereignty to Sigisfroid first Earl of Luxemburgh and descended from him to other Earls and Dukes of Luxemburgh successively the Subjects of the Territory have to this day acknowledged his Catholick Majesty their Sovereign and paid him Aids and Subsidies with other Subjects of the Province as formerly in 1359. Henry Earl of Luxemburgh the Son of Walerand Earl of Limbourgh and Ermesinde Countess of Luxemburgh assigned in the Year 1240. in Dower to Margaret the Daughter of Henry Earl of Barr his Wife seven hundred Livers a Year on his Demesns of Biedbourgh and Echternach And in 1398. the Deputies of Biedbourgh with the Deputies of other Towns did Fealty and Homage to the Emperour Wenceslaus as Duke of Luxemburgh The Town and Provostship of Dickrich c. 35. The Sovereignty and Jurisdiction over the Town and provostship of Dickrich consisting in the Town of that name and five and twenty Villages and Hamlets hath ever belonged to the Earls and Dukes of Luxemburgh and so have the Demesns of it part whereof Walerand Earl of Luxemburgh purchased of Robert d'Esch in 1221. Besides the said Provostship hath contributed with other Towns of the Province to the Aids and Subsidies paid his Majesty And the Town of Dickrich hath lately sent Deputies to the Assembly of the States as it had formerly done in the year 1400. in the Town of Arlon The Town and Provostship of Arlon 36. The Town and Provostship of Arlon consisting in the Town of that name and 119 Villages and Hamlets under fifteen Bannes or Mayoralties is a Provostship of large extent and comprehends a great part of Ardenne which having belong'd to Sigisfroid first Earl of Luxemburgh came many years after by marriage to the Family of Limbourg and afterwards returned by the like way of Marriage to the House of Luxemburgh Since which his Catholick Majesty as his Royal Predecessors enjoy'd it in Demesn with full Right and Exercise of Jurisdiction and Sovereignty For clearning whereof it may not be impertinent to give you the following Account 37. Sigisfroid the first of Luxemburgh having as Successor to the Earls of Arden had in his possession the Town and Provostship of Arlon enjoy'd it during Life and at his Death left it to his Son Henry under the Title of the Earldom of Ardenne Frederick elder Son of the said Henry having by Inheritance succeeded in the Earldom of Luxemburgh left Conrade the Son of his Brother Gisilbert his Successor to whom the said Town and Provostship of Arlon descended by the name of the Earldom of Ardenne Conrade had Issue Wallerand Earl of Arlon who first qualified himself in Writing with the Title of Earl of Arson He married Adela the Daughter of Theodore Earl of Barr and Brie Niece of Frederick Duke of Lorrain who built the Town of Bar. Adela who had her usual Residence at Arlon having survived her Husband left Issue by him two Sons Walerand and Foulk and a Daughter named Adela Walerand and Foulk dying without Issue the County of Arlon fell in possession to their Sister Adela who having married Henry Earl of Limbourgh brought him in Marriage the Earldom of Arlon The same Henry afterwards created Duke of Lothier by Henry the Emperour about the Year 1101. retained the same Title tho deprived of it about 1106. and left Walerand sirnamed The Pagan his Heir as well of the Dutchy of Limbourgh as the Earldom of Arlon and all his Father had been seised of about Thionville This Walerand had three Sons Henry Duke of Limbourgh Walerand Earl of Arlon and Gerard. His son Walerand Earl of Arlon in the Year 1210. gave by Deed to the Abby of Munster near Luxemburgh for an Anniversary Obit to be sung on the day of his death the Church of Kittenlwuen with the Right of Patronage in which Deed he first took the Title of Marquess of Arlon Walerand the Marquess left besides other Sons Walerand second Husband if Ermesinde Countess of Luxemburgh to whom in 1214. with consent of his two sons by a former Venter he gave in Marriage the Marquisate of Arlon with its appurtenences
and dependences upon condition the Issue he should have by that Marriage should inherit the said Marquisate together with the County of Luxemburgh Accordingly the said Marquisate of Arlon together with the Earldom of Luxemburgh and La Roche fell to Henry eldest son of Wallerand by Ermesinde which Henry left it to his Successors Earls and Dukes of Luxemburgh And thereupon the said Marquisate remained annexed to the Dutchy of Luxemburgh and the August Successors of the Dukes of that Place have from time to time peaceably enjoy'd the Patrimony and Fees depending thereon and exercised therein all Acts of Jurisdiction and Sovereignty 150 Years before the Purchase of the County of Chiny in 1364. by Wenceslaus the first Duke of Luxemburgh The Town and Provostship of Bastoigne 38. The Town Mayoralty and Provostship of Bastoigne consisting in the Town of that name and one hundred forty five Villages and Hamlets under ten Mayordoms hath ever since the Year 963. belonged to the first Earls of Luxemburgh in Demesn with full Right of Jurisdiction and Sovereignty as comprehended under the Title of the Earldom of Ardenne Walerand and Ermesinde Earl and Countess of Luxemburgh having by Deed in 1225. assigned to their daughter Catharin who had been promis'd in Marriage to Matthew Duke of Lorrain three thousand Livers Messinois upon their Demesn of Bastoigne except the Town and upon their Courts of Remich and Anliers which were accordingly paid the said Matthew of Lorrain in 1229. Since which time the Town and Provostship of Bastoigne hath been reputed a Member of the County and Dutchy of Luxemburgh and the Earls and Dukes thereof have enjoy'd it with all Sovereignty and Jurisdiction to this day The Town and Provostship of March c. 39. The Town Mayoralty and Provostship of March consisting in the Town of that name and nineteen Villages and Hamlets hath many Ages belong'd to the Earls and Dukes of Luxemburgh in Demesn with full Right of Sovereignty and Jurisdiction Henry the second of that name Earl of Luxemburgh the Son of Ermesinde gave it in the Year 1247. to his Brother Gerard in full of all demands of Inheritance in Right of his Father and Mother This Provostship was then granted by the name of The Land of Tamenne above the Castle and Town of Durbuy with all its Dependences Villance the Land of Dalem and Filstorff upon condition expressed in the Grant That Gerrard should hold the said Lands in Fee of the Earl of Luxemburgh The said Lands of Tamenne Durbuy and Vallence were in the Year 1304. reunited to the County of Luxemburgh by Count Henry the fourth of that name Son of Henry the third and Beatrix Daughter of Baldwyn of Avennes pursuant to an Agreement made that Year between Gerard Earl of Grandprez Lord of Houstalize Son of Henry of Grandprez and Beatrix Daughter of Gerard Lord of Durbuy and the said Henry Earl of Luxemburgh by the Mediation of his Mother the Countess Dowager of Luxemburgh called Beatrix to whose Arbitrement the Parties submitted the Sunday after Christmas 1303. upon condition nevertheless that the Lordship of Russy whereof Dalem and Filstorff are part should remain to the said Gerard of Grandprez and that Count Henry should pay him an Annuity of One hundred Livers The like Agreement was made by Gerrard Lord of Blackenheim and Irmgard his Wife Daughter also of Gerard Lord of Durbuy by Deed in February 1306. whereby the said Lord of Blackenheim and his Wife have renounced and released all Right they could any way have to the Estate of Gerard Lord of Durbuy their Father-in-Law and Father respectively which Renunciation and Release was ratified in 1314. by John and Gerard Sons of the said Gerard of Blackenheim and afterwards the Earls and Dukes of Luxemburgh enjoy'd it in Demesn with full Jurisdiction and Sovereignty The Town and Provostship of Durbuy c. 40. The Town and Provostship of Durbuy consisting in the Town of that name and forty four Villages and Hamlets divided into four Courts and nineteen Lordships of the Soil Compos'd of two and thirty Villages have likewise belong'd some Ages to the Earls and Dukes of Luxemburgh in Demesn with full Right of Jurisdiction and Sovereignty And his Catholick Majesty hath continued in possession of it as appears by what hath been said before as to the Provostship of Marche The County of La Roche c. 41. The Earldom of La Roche consisting in the Castle and Town so called and one and fifty Villages and Hamlets divided into four Mayordoms and the Seigniory of Beausaint is an ancient Patrimony of the Earls and Dukes of Luxemburgh who assumed the Title of Earls de la Roche ever since the year 1214. and enjoy'd the said Castle Town and their Dependences in Demesn with full Right of Jurisdiction and Sovereignty till dispossessed of them forcibly by the French as aforesaid The County of Salm c. 42. The County of Salm consisting in a Castle Burrough and thirty two Villages and Hamlets is very ancient having taken its Original from the first Family of the Earls of Luxemburgh Gislibert the Son of Frederick the second Earl of Luxemburgh having taken the Title of Earl of Salm in which Earldom his Son Herman succeeded who afterwards was chosen Emperour of the Romans and left the said Earldom to his Son Herman also by name who had his Son Conrade his Successor Henry the Son of Conrade succeeded him and by Deed of 15 May 1240. declared That as his Ancestor the Earl of Salm had done Fealty and Homage to the Noble Man the Earl of Luxemburgh he would renew the said Homage and did for him and his Heirs and Successors Earls of Salm take of Henry Earl of Luxemburgh and La Roche and Marquess of Arlon which Henry being the second of that name was the ninth Earl of Luxemburgh the Castle and Castlewick of Salm with all their Appurtenances Rights Inheritances Fiefes Wards Homages Burgessships and Seigniories whatsoever to be holden of the Earl of Luxemburgh in Fee and by Homage-Liege Henry the Son of the said Henry Earl of Salm did the like Fealty and Homage on Thursday next after the Feast of All Saints in the Year 1248. for the same Castle of Salm to the same Henry Earl of Luxemburgh with a formal Declaration That the Earl of Luxemburgh might and ought to have Aid of the Castle of Salm and Lands belonging to it against all Men and that the Castle was to be surrendred to him when occasion required In 1306. Henry Earl of Salm Son of Henry aforesaid did the like Services for the said Earldom of Salm to Henry the fourth of that name the eleventh Earl of Luxemburgh and seventh Emperour of that name After him Henry his Son Earl of Salm did the like Services for the said Earldom to John King of Bohemia twelfth Earl of Luxemburgh on Monday the eighth of December 1343. The Family of Salm being extinct in 1408. the Lords of Reiferscheidt succeeding as next of
Blood did the like Services for the said County till a certain Lord of Reiferscheidt Earl of Salm having for Violences and Outrages by him committed been banished out of these Countries and his Estate declared confiscated to the use of the Emperour Charles the Fifth Duke of Luxemburgh by Sentence of the Great Council at Malines 16 January 1528. his Son John of Reiferscheidt Earl of Salm was summoned to appear at the said Council to hear Execution awarded of the said Sentence at his peril But this John having submitted himself by agreement made at Bruxelles with the Queen Dowager of Hungary and Bohemia Governess of the Low-Countries 21 February 1549. the said Earldom of Salm and all the Estate thereto belonging were granted to the said John of Reiferscheidt Earl of Salm but upon express condition that he should take and hold them in Fee of the Emperour Charles the Fifth as Duke of Luxemburgh by the Services accustomed And the third of January 1551. the said John took them accordingly and ever since the successors of the said Earl of Salm have been used and reputed as his Predecessors had been Vassals of his Catholick Majesty and his Ancestors Dukes and Earls of Luxemburgh and the Subjects of the said Earldom have contributed to all publick Charges imposed on the Province of Luxemburgh The Country of Vianden 43 The County of Vianden consists in a Castle Town and forty nine Villages and Hamlets divided into six Mayordoms of which several other Castles and Lands hold as Mesne Fees It is of large extent and for several Ages past hath been held in Fee of the Earl of Luxemburgh The first Earl of Vianden was Frederick in the Year 1124. who left Signisfroid his Son his Successor to whom succeeded Frederick about the Year 1193. and to Him his Son Philip who dying without Heirs of his Body left the said County to his Brother Henry who having been kept Prisoner by Walerand Duke of Limburgh and Earl of Luxemburgh was set at liberty on Condition he should acknowledge Walerand Lord of the Fee of the said County of Vianden the next Earl of Vianden was Philip Son of the said Henry who was kept Prisoner by his Nephew Henry upon some difference between them about the Succession of the County of Vianden On this occasion it was that Henry Bishop of Utrecht Brother to Philip Count Vianden pass'd an Act in the Year 1264. in favour of Henry Earl of Luxemburgh by which he promises that Philip his Brother and his Successors should hold the said County of Vianden as a Fief Liege immediately of the Earl of Luxemburgh on Condition the said Henry Earl of Luxemburgh should use all the means he could to set at liberty the said Philip Earl of Vianden and to restore to him the Castle of Schonecken usurped by his Nephew Henry The said Philip accordingly took the Earldom of Vianden of Margaret Countess of Luxemburgh Wife of Henry the Second Earl of Luxemburgh and of Henry the Third of that Name their Son on Tuesday before Lent in the Year 1270. Godfrey having succeeded his Father Philip left Heir of the County of Vianden Philip begotten of Lintgarde Lady of Lignie c. which Philip took in like manner the said County of Vianden in 1306. of Henry the Fourth of that Name Earl of Luxemburgh and Emperor of the Romans Afterwards the said County came by Marriage to the House and Family of Nassau above three hundred years ago and the Princes of Orange have successively taken it of his Catholick Majesty and his Predecessors Dukes of Luxemburgh and the Subjects of Vianden have from time to time constantly contributed to all Aids and publick Charges ordinary and extraordinary with other Subjects of the Province of Luxemburgh and his Majesty whenever he pleased put a Garrison into the Castle and Town of Vianden The Land and Seigniory of St. Vithe c. 44. The Land and Seigniory of St. Vithe consisting in a Town and forty seven Villages divided into six Courts is an ancient Fee of Luxemburgh Count Henry the Second of that Name having long since had Toll and Conduct-Money in St. Vithe and Bullenge in the Year 1253. as appears by the Agreement between the said Count Henry and his Sister Elizabeth Wife of Walerand Lord Faulcomont and Montjoy in the Year 1270. Walerand Lord Faulcomont and Montjoy did Fealty and Homage for the said Land and Seigniory to Henry the Second of that Name Earl of Luxemburgh and Margaret his Wife So did Reynald Lord Faulcomont and Montjoy in 1306. to Henry the Fourth of that Name Earl of Luxemburgh for the Lordship of St. Vithe which coming afterwards to Simon Earl of Spanheim he did Fealty and Homage for it to Winceslaus Duke of Luxemburgh in the Year 1380. The same Lordship passing since by Marriage into the Family of Nassau the Princes of Orange have always done Fealty for it with the County of Vianden and other Lands and Lordships in the Country of Luxemburgh as a Fee held of the Duke of Luxemburgh And the Inhabitants of the said Land and Lordship have always Contributed with the rest of his Catholick Majesties Subjects towards all publick Aids and Charges ordinary and extraordinary And his Majesty hath placed a Garrison in the Town of St. Vithe when ever he thought it convenient The Lordship of Munster c. 45. The Lordship of Munster near the City of Luxemburgh is a Capital place consisting of our and twenty Villages Hamlets and Farms and hath been of the ancient Patrimony of the Earls of Luxemburgh who in the year 1080 endowed therewith the Abby of Munster as appears by the Foundation of Conrade the second of that Name Earl of Luxemburgh in the year 1083 Confirm'd by Earl William his Son and Walerand Earl of Luxemburgh in the year 1225 And the Priviledges and Exemptions granted them have been confirm'd successively by Wenceslaus Earl of Luxemburgh in the year 1398 by Philip Duke of Burgundy in 1432 by Maximilian the Emperour in 1486 and by Charles the Fifth the 15th of July 1531. The Lordship of Mont St. Jean c. 46. The Lordship of Mont St. Jean consisting in four Villages and Hamlets with an old demolish'd Castle hath ever been under the Soveraignty of the Earls and Dukes of Luxemburgh and held in Fee immediately of them as appears by the Records of Fealty and Homage in the years 1563 1573 1600 1624. The Castle and Lordship of Differtange and Solleuvre c. 47. The Castle and Lordship of Differtange and Solleuvre with three and twenty Villages Hamlets and Farmes its Dependents hath been part of the ancient Demesnes of the Earls of Luxemburgh as appears by Deed in 1238 wherein Alexander Lord of Solleuvre hath acknowledged the said Lordship to have descended to him as a Fee from Ermesinde Countess of Luxemburgh who having in the year 1236 confirmed the Priviledges of the Town of Echternach the said ALexander obliged himself to observe them on pain
Brouch 76. The Lordship of Brouch consisting in twelve Villages and Hamlets is an ancient Fee of the Dutchy of Luxemburgh and acknowledged to be so by the Lord of the place in 1394 who with other Feoffees of the Countrey did Homage for it in 1398. The Lordship of Malberg 77. The Lordship of Malberg consists in three Villages and Hamlets and was taken in Fee of the Duke of Luxemburgh in 1306 and in 1398 the Lord of Malberg with other Feoffees of the Province did Homage for Malberg The Lordship of Rosport 78. The Lordship of Rosport consisting in six Villages and Hamlets was in the year 1303 acknowledged a Fee of the Earldom of Luxemburgh The Castle and Lordship of Mirevart 79. The Castle and Lordship of Mirevart consists in six and twenty Villages and Hamlets and hath been an ancient Patrimony of the Earls of Luxemburgh the parts of which it consists having ever since the year 1311 been accompted and recorded among the Demesns of the Earls of Luxemburgh and made parcel of the particular thereof Arch-Duke Maximilian gave it since to Everard de la Marck who and his Successours the Dukes of Aremberg have from time to time paid Homage for it to this day The Castle and Lordship of Focant 80. That the Castle and Lordship of Focant was parcel of the ancient Demesns of the Earls of Luxemburgh appears by the accompts of the Revenues thereof ever since the year 1311. The County of Montague 81. That the County of Montague consisting in thirteen Villages and Hamlets is also a Fee of Luxemburgh appears by the Records of Homage done for it in 1545 1598 1600 1673. The Lordship of Rachamps 82. The Lordship of Rachamps consisting in a Village and Hamlet is an ancient dependent of Luxemburgh King Wenceslaus having the 12th of October 1384 confirmed the Priviledges his Predecessours the Earls of Luxemburgh had granted the Lord and Tenants of this Lordship The Lordship of Ayvaille 83. The Lordship of Ayvaille consisting in eight Villages and Hamlets hath been an ancient Patrimony of the Earls of Luxemburgh as appears by the Gift the King of Bohemia made of the Bridge of Ayvaille to the Inhabitants of the place 23 July 1346. The Lordship of Harzet 84. Lewis de Clermont in the year 1302 did Homage for the Lordship of Harzet consisting in three Villages and Hamlets as a Fee held of the Earl of Luxemburgh The Lordship of Bascille 85. Alard de Bascille by Act in 1307 acknowledged himself a Leige-man of the Earl of Luxemburgh for the Lodship of Bascille as a Fee of the Earldom The Lordship of Chesne 86. The Lord of the Signiory of Chesne consisting in three Villages and Hamlets did among other Subjects and Feoffes of the Province perform his Homage to the Emperour Wenceslaus Duke of Luxemburgh in 1398. The Castle and Lordship of Witry 87. The Castle and Lordship of Witry consisting in four Villages and Hamlets is a Capital place and of the ancient Demesns of the Earl of Luxemburgh as appears by the Gift thereof made by Henry Earl of Luxemburgh to Arnold de Pittange in 1281 on condition he should hold it of him in Fee by Homage And in 1311 the King of Bohemia then Earl of Luxemburgh granted the said Arnold the High Justice of Witry for improvement of his Fee The Castle and Lordship of Useldange 88. That the Castle and Lordship of Useldange consisting in sixteen Villages and Hamlets is an ancient Fee of the Earldom of Luxemburgh appears by an Act in 1298 wherein Robert Lord Useldange hath acknowledged Homage due from him to the Earl of Luxemburgh This Lordship came afterwards by Confiscation to Maximilian the Emperour who and his Son Arch-Duke Philip as Dukes of Luxemburgh gave the said Castle and Lordship to Philip. Marquis of Baden in the year 1494 After which Homage was paid for it in 1532 1562 and 1605. The Castle and Lordship of Autel c. 89. That the Castle and Lordship of Autel consisting in six Villages and Hamlets is an ancient Fee of the Earldom of Luxemburgh appears by an Act in 1223 when Henry de Dune having been made Marshall of Luxemburgh annext to that Office the Lordship of Autel acknowledging he held it in Fee of the Earls of Luxemburgh to whom Homage was done for it in 1270 and afterwards in 1398 by the then Lord of Autel to Wenceslaus the Emperour This is confirmed by the Sale Richard de Dune made in 1254 to the Covent of Clairfontain of some Estate in Autel which the Lords thereof had not power to alien without leave of the Earl of Luxemburgh The Castle and Lordship of Girsch 90. The Castle and Lordship of Girsch consisting in fifteen Villages and Hamlets is an ancient Fee of the Earldom of Luxemburgh and Homage was done for it to the Duke of Luxemburgh in 1556. The Castle and Lordship of Koerich 91. Tillman of Koerich in 1314 did Homage to the Earl of Luxemburgh for the Lordship of Koerich consisting in five Villages and Hamlets as a Fee held by Homage of the Earl And in the years 1400 and 1617 the Successours of Tillman did Homage for it to the then Dukes of Luxemburgh And in 1398 Homage was done for it to Wenceslaus the Emperour in the right of the Earldom of Luxemburgh The Castle and Lordship of Septfontain c. 92. That the Lords of the Castle and Lordship of Septfontain consisting in ten Villages and Hamlets have been ancient Vassals of the Earls of Luxemburgh is evident by the record of Homage done for it in 1233 Since which Thomas de Septfontain Chamberlain to the Earl of Luxemburgh and his Successors received by the Earls Grant the Right and Priviledge of High Justice to be exercised throughout the Liberty of Septfontain for inlargment of his Fee The Lordship of Wiltingen and Cantzem 93. In the year 1230 Ernest de Pictipas acknowledged the Lordship of Wiltingen and Cantzem to be Capital places held in Fee of the Earldom of Luxemburgh and John de Sirk did Homage for them accordingly in 1450. The Land and Lordship of St. Hubert 94. The Land and Lordship of St. Hubert consists in six Mayordoms or Mannors with several Villages depending thereon and as to Situation is inclosed on all sides by the Lands of the Dutchy of Luxemburgh and consequently by the Laws and Maxims of State cannot be a particular Sovereignty distinct or separate from that which incloses it The intention of the Duke in granting away the Lands of St. Hubert being grounded on a Presumption in Law That Land inclosed within other greater and more considerable is to be reputed of the same Quality Jurisdiction and Sovereignty with that which incloses it till the contrary be made appear 95. This will be thought more reasonable in this Case when it shall be considered that till the age before the last it was never disputed but that the Dukes and Earls of Luxemburgh had not only the Possession but the Right of Soveraignty
Inhabitants there owe him suit to the Wars provision of Horses and Carriages for his Journeys and that he hath right of Mortmain and all other rights of Seigniory there The Provostship of Poilvach and Bann of Leignon In November 1681 the Mayor Sheriffs Officers at Law and Inhabitants of the Liberty of Liegnon depending on the said Provostship received Order from Faultrier to appear the 15th of that Month at Dinant to swear Allegiance to France with Probition to receive for the future any Order but what came from him Ivoir The same Faultrier by his Order Dated the 15th of the same Month Prohibited the Inhabitants of Ivoir as a Member of the Provostship of Polvach to own own any Soveraign but the most Christian King on pain of being punished as Rebels The Sieur de Liseigne having by Petition to Faultrier complained of two Decrees the Councel of Namur had pronounced in favour of his Sister and the Executions served pursuant to the Decrees upon his Estate in Ivoir Faultrier by his Answer to the Petition Reversed the Decrees and Prohibited on pain of Reprisal all Executions there of in the Villages in the Possession of France Chaltin Emptines Spontin Ohey Halliot Goesne Hodomont Walay Wauremont Asses Corier and the Mayoralty of Rendarch The same Intendant sent two Orders Dated the 14th and 26th of November 1681 to the Mayor Sheriffs and Inhabitants of the Villages of Chaltin Emptines Spontin Ohey Halliot Goesne Hodomont Walay Wauremont and Asses situate beyond the Meuse and Dependents of the Provostship of Poilvache and to the Inhabitants of Colier and the Mayor and Sheriffs of the Mayoralty of Rendarch which comprehends several Villages By the First they were to deliver to Courbiet at Dinant a quantity of Hey Oats and Straw By the Second they were prohibited to receive any Order from his Catholick Majesty or his Ministers or to carry any Money into the Receipt of his Demesne for Impost Tallage Subsidies or on any other pretence whatsoyver By Billet Dated the 25th of November 1681 the same Intendant Commanded Philip Houyoux Deputy Provost of Poiluache to appear immediately in the Town of Dinant to receive such Orders as should be given him on the behalf of France Falmaigne An Order of the same Intendant Dated the 26th of November 1681 was delivered to the Mayor Sheriffs and Inhabitants of Falmaigne a Dependent of the Provostship of Poilvach forbidding them to receive any Order from his Catholick Majesty or his Ministers or to pay any money into his Exchequer on any pretence whatsoever Ash in Rendarch Eurehailles Godines Gesnes Ivoir and Champall The said Villages all Dependents of the Provostship of Poilvach received several Orders from Faultrier forbidding them to pay any Duties in Obedience to any Order of the States of this Province and commanding them not to receive any Order but what came from him The 30th of November 1681 thirty or forty Dragoons under the Command of N. Boron Faultriers Deputy came to Ivoir and by ringing a Bell summoned all the Inhabitants together and by word of Mouth repeated to them the Orders above-mentioned Having past thence to Godines Boron asked John Charlett one of his Catholick Majesties Woodwards in Hanwez by what Authority he had on the 28th and 29th of November measured the Woods of Hanwez the Woodward replying he had done it by Order of his Catholick Majesties Officers his Masters Boron forbad him to do so again on pain of being Hanged or sent to the Gallies The Mayoralty of Houx and its Dependents Faultrier sent Orders to the Inhabitants of the Mayoralty of Houx a Dependent of Bovignes to the same effect as the Orders sent to the Provostship of Poilvache which Mayoralty consists in the following Villages Lisoigne Avaigne Purnode Eurehailles Ivoir and Godines with the Hamlets of Lois Faiginoule Champal Venate Futvoye Frappeul Fresne and Talfier all situate beyond the Meuse and Dependents of the Province of Namur In December 1681 the French quartered Dragoons in the strong places and Castles of the Provostship of Poilvach where they continue at the charge of the Country The Right of Spain to all the Places last mentioned within the Provostship of Poilvach and Bann of Leignon The Bann or Liberty of Leignon and the Villages above-mentioned are Dependents of the Provostship of Poilvach which by the Register of Surveys of the year 1602 consists in the following Villages the Mayoralty of Rendarch which comprehends Loustin Ronchines Ivoy Ash Mallien Corier Corioule Long Sorinne Porin d'Asses Miltier Jassoigne the Fields of Jassoigne Wauremont Ohey and Walbet with other Appendences Halliot Sey Mohiville the Appendents of Sey Chaltin Maibe a Dependent of Chaltin Fusee Waulin the Liberty of Leignon Leignon Chapoy Ouechippe Rouvaux Corbion Falmaign and Barsinalle Sorinne snr Dinant Borsell Gesnes Emptines Emptinal Natoye Fontam Campilion le sart Spontin Goesne Fille Hodomont Hous en Famerme Harynies the two Bourseignes old Bourseigne Mesinil St. Blaise Hailes Prondrosme the Mayoralty of Houx consisting in the Land of Eurehailles Broche and Gayolle incorporate into the Town of Bovignes Ivoir and Furvye Venate Hour Champal Hugomont Rbockmont Godines Monts and Chavaux Frappeul Fresne and Talfier Awaign Lisoigne Teroul Loyers and Purmode of which France hath taken possession That the Provostship and Villages above-mentioned belong to his Catholick Majesty hath been already made out and may further appear by unquestionable Evidences and Records of the years 1280 1343 1344 1346 and 1353 containing the Sale made of that Provostship and the Mayoralties depending of it by the Earl of Luxembourgh to the Lady Mary d' Artoy Countess of Namur The Confirmation of the same Sale by Charles eldest Son of the said Earl and the said Earl and his Sons discharging their Subjects of the said Provostship of the Homage due to them with Order to acknowledge the Countess of Namur their Lady as they had done the Earls of Luxemburgh their Lords and pay her for the future the like Duties they had formerly paid the said Earles to which the said Earls to which may be added the Gift the said Lady made of the said then Provostship to William her Son Earl of Namur Besides which we find an Agreement made by the Mediation of the Emperour Between Wenceslaus Duke of Luxemburgh and Brabant and the said William Earl of Namur whereby the said Duke releases all Right he or his Heirs might any way claim to the Castle Town and Provostship of Poilvach with its Dependences and to the Liberty of Sey and agrees that the said Earl shall enjoy the same by vertue of the said Sale made by his Predecessors to the Lady Mary d' Artoy in consideration whereof the said Earl of Namur released on his part all Right to Mirwart Longpreit and some other Villages of the Country of Luxemburgh Add hereto the said Accounts of Aids of the years 1493 1559 1560 and 1562 where the Villages of the said Provostship have been all Assessed as Members of the
less suprizing and groundless than the former They have possess'd themselves there of several open places belonging to his Catholick Majesty and among others of the three Towns of Loo Roulers and Renaix The Town Loo is immediately subject to his Catholick Majesty as Earl of Flanders having been always Govern'd by particular Officers without other dependence than that of contributing in Assessments with the Freedom of Bruges whose Customs it follows as may be seen by the Records of the Province and the Customs of the Freedom of Bruges Tit. 1. Art 6 7. After the Peace of Aix la Chappelle France pretended to it as a dependent of Furnes and the Sieur Bobert the French Intendant quartered Forces there under that pretence in the year 1668. But those of the Council of Flanders having made the contrary appear by Letter of the eighth of June that year the Intendant acknowledged himself satisfied and by Letter of the 13th of the same Month answered that had he been so informed before he would not have sent any Forces thither his answer was confirmed by Order he sent for the speedy dislodging of the Troops quartered there which being accordingly done his Catholick Majesties unquestionable right to that Town was owned and confirmed by the confession of the French Notwithstanding this after the Peace of Nimmighen they made use of the same pretence for appropriating to them the Soveraignty of that Town in pursuance whereof they placed new Magistrates there in 1679. The same year they possess'd themselves of the Town of Roullers pretending it a Dependent of the Castlewick of Ipre though it be in truth a Signiory in chief and is called as such to the States of Flanders in all Assessments of Aids and Subsidies and is part of the Land of Wynendall within the Freedom of Bruges The Aids and Subsidies charg'd on the Castlewick of Ipre as well as those on the Town of Roullers are paid at Roullers in all other things the Town of Roullers is wholly separate and distinct from the Castlewick of Ipre and so absolutely independent that the Inhabitants of Roullers have never contributed to the Charges of the Castlewick and Roullers hath been so far from being reputed a dependent of the Castlewick of Ipre that it had not any benifit of the redemption quarters purchased by that Castlewick or granted it from time to time And the independence of it from the Castlewick hath been confirm'd by a Sentence upon Appeal in 1578. The Town and Territory of Renaix is immediately subject to his Catholick Majesty as Earl of Flanders and pays its Services in his Chamber of Justice established in the Town of Ghent It belonged formerly to the Abbots of the Monastery of St. Cornelius and in the year 1280 was sold to Guy Earl of Flanders and united to that Province The same Guy gave it to one of his Sons in Fee to hold of him his Heirs and Successors Earls of Flanders and it was accordingly held for several Ages This possession is grounded on abundance of Evidences and Decrees of Confiscation to the use of the Earl of Flanders as Soveraign Lord so that the Right of his Catholick Majesty to it is beyond contradiction but the French whose Right consists in their Arms have sent Troops to quarter there and usurp the Soveraignty of the place against his Catholick Majesty Breaches in the Dutchy of Luxemburgh The Province of Luxemburgh hath more than any other felt their daily Contraventions against the Treaty of Peace for in the time of full Peace the French have taken in that Province without any reason other than that of the Right of Arms a great number of Towns Castles and Territories of very large extent The Castle of Bourg of Rodemacker is a Signiory in chief depending immediately of his Catholick Majesty as Duke of Luxemburgh it holds immediately of his Majesties Person and does its Fealty and other Services due to his Majesty before the General Governour of that Province as appears by Surveys and other Records particularly those of 1552 and 1553. And by the admission of the Marquess of Baden in 1562. The French pretended to it as belonging to them by the Cession of Thionville by the Treaty of the Pyrenees But in the Conferences held for execution of that Treaty the Right of his Catholick Majesty was so clearly made out and maintain'd that he continued in possession of the Castle and Burrough and in the beginning of the War in 1667. His most Christian Majesty granted them a Neutrality at the request of the Marchioness of Baden The Publick Faith ought in that case to have secured them from his Arms but hath been so far from securing them that the French Troops expresly contrary to the Neutrality possess'd themselves both of the Castle and Burrough By the Treaty of Aix la Chapelle reparation was agreed to be made for this Violence but the last War breaking out before reparation obtain'd his Catholick Majesty retook the the Burrough and Castle and continued a Garrison there till both were demolished So that the last possession hath gone with the right of his Catholick Majesty Yet though after this and especially after the conclusion of the Peace at Nimmighen all violent attempts and seizures by force ought to have ceas'd the Ministers of France have not only possess'd themselves of the said Castle and Burrough for no other reason than that Right must submit to Might but have seiz'd other Lands to the Gates of Luxembourgh pretending they are Dependences of the Burrough or Castle of Rodemacker for which there is not any more colour than for the pretended dependence of Rodemacker on Thionville Upon this ground it was that in October 1679. they seiz'd the Castle of Esperange within half a League of Luxemburgh forc'd the Inhabitants of the Signiory to swear Fealty to the most Christian King abus'd the Mayor of the place for opposing them and prohibited the Inhabitants to acknowledge any longer the Soveraignty of his Catholick Majesty as Duke of Luxemburgh or resort to the Fairs held in that City upon pain of Corporal punishment though it clearly appears by the Records of admissions of the Tenants of Rodemacker that the Territory of Rodemacker extends not to Esperange nor the Villages its Dependents And by the admissions of the Tenants of Esperange it is equally evident it is held immediately of his Catholick Majesty as Duke of Luxemburgh being a Seigniory in chief and as independent as Rodemacker it self The complaints made on this account to the Court of France appeared so reasonable that Monsieur de Pompone the twentieth of October 1679. declar'd to the Sieur Del Val by express Order of his most Christian Majesty that the Intendant having been charg'd to cause all the Inhabitants of the places his Majesty was possess'd of in Alsace and Lorain to swear Allegiance to him had of his own head extended the Order to the places above mentioned But that no advantage should be taken of it
to Courtray to put an amicable end to all differences that should arise about Execution of the Treaty Their refusing to treat of any business at the Conference But they have made it evidently appear they intended no such matter nor sent their Deputies to Courtray for any other end than meerly to make a show and amuse the Neighbouring Princes and States without any the least effectual satisfaction Difficulty rais'd about the Title of Duke of Burgundy For the Commissioners of the two Crowns having met in December 1679 the French rais'd a Preliminary difficulty about the Title of Duke of Burgundy inserted in the Commission from his Catholick Majesty pretending that Dukedome had been granted to the most Christian King by the Treaty of Crepy And though there be not any ground for the Objection but on the contrary the said Treaty mentions not any otherwise than Conditionally and Alternatively That the Netherlands should be granted with a Renunciation of the Dutchy of Burgundy to Prince Charles younger Son of Francis the First in case he should Marry the Daughter of Charles the Fifth Or that the Dutchy of Milan should be granted to that Prince if he Married the Daughter of Ferdinand King of the Romans at the Election of the Emperour That the Emperour determined his Election by the Marriage of his Daughter with Ferdinand that the intended Marriage of the said younger Son of France was prevented by his sudden Death and consequently the condition of the Grant was not fiulfill'd in which case the Title and pretension to the Dutchy of Burgundy was expresly reserv'd in that as in all following Treaties that relate to it Besides it was made appear the discussion of this point was out of the Power of the Commissioners which was limited to the Execution of the Treaty of Nimmighen which mentions it not And that there was so much the less reason to raise this Objection in a place where they were obliged to disallow and oppose it for that this Title belongs to his Catholick Majesty by Birth right That since the Union of the House of Austria with that of Burgundy all the Princes of both Branches as well that of Spain as Germany have us'd it and use it to this day That with the full privity and without any contradiction of France it hath been constantly inserted in all the Treaties made since that of Crepy for an Age and a half that it is found in the Powers granted for the present Treaty of Peace the Execution whereof is the sole matter in question as also in the Ratification of the Articles and the Proxy for the Espousals given by his Catholick Majesty to the most Christian King who accepted it without scruple and by vertue of it substituted the Prince of Conty in that Affair Notwithstanding all this they persisted in their Demand and the third of May 1680. caus'd it to be declar'd to the Spanish Commissioners that if they did not procure themselves another Commission to the satisfaction of the French within the Term limited for that purpose the most Christian King would order his Commissioners to retire from the Conference and possess himself of all the places he should judge ought to belong to him by vertue of the Treaty And though this difficulty ceas'd since September 1680. and that the Commissioners of France the fifteenth of that Month dclar'd they were satisfied with the Powers Communicated to them that day and that they were content to enter upon the business yet they sought out several pretences to delay the Affair for several Months And when they could not find any more but expressed themselves satisfied with the Reasons of the Spaniards 't was but in appearance and meerly to amuse them for they continued to decide all by the way of Arms eluding all instances made to the contrary And when the Commissioners of his Catholick Majesty desired to Treat at Courtray of the Affairs of Luxemburgh the Commissioners of France declared openly they had not any Commission or power to Treat of them there and that they concerned the Execution of the Treaty of Munster and not that of Nimmighen though they very well knew neither his Catholick Majesty nor any on his behalf intervened in the Treaty of Munster nor in that of Nimmighen as relating to that of Munster the one and the other having been made seperately between the Plenipotentiaries of the Emperour and the most Christian King And as to the restoring his Catholick Majesty to the Possession of the Places and Countries Usurp'd from him by Force since the Publishing of the Peace the French have been so far from doing his Majesty Right that they have incessantly acted new Violences and Injuries and formed other pretensions at the Conference not only destitute of Ground but any appearance of Reason Insomuch that they insisted the most Christian King had Right over the Towns and Countries of Alost Niuoue Gramont and abundance of other Places to the very Lands of the States of the United Provinces And demanded an Equivalent for them from his Catholick Majesty pretending that by the taking of Ghent their Arms had given them Right of Entry into those Countries and that they had had some kind of Possession of them Whereas in truth they are open places and have so continued during the War So that France could not on that account gain any right to them nor hinder his Catholick Majesty from accesse to them and consequently from preserving his Right and Possession as he hath done And that the most Christian King after the taking of Ghent pretended not to them but as Dependences of that City which he is particularly and expresly obliged to restore to his Catholick Majesty Besides after the Publication of the Peace the French were Quartered in those Countries as Places belonging to his Catholick Majesty to Force Spain to pay the Residue of the Contributions as pretended to by France And when they were paid as is mentioned before the most Christian King drew his Forces out of those Places at the time he Evacuated Ghent that his Catholick Majesty might be left in the peaceable Possession of them Add hereto that these Places are essential Parts of the Barriere for which the most Christian King hath obliged himself to rest satisfied with the Cession of certain Places agreed to be given him in exchange And that in the List of Places named in the Treaty to be given in exchange of the Barriere the Places we speak of are not compriz'd And that after the Enumeration of Places to remain in the Possession of either Crown or to be restor'd to them an Article was added by way of enlargement that all Towns Place Postes c. should be restored that had been or should be possess'd by either Party till the Publication of the Peace as appears by the seventh Article of the Treaty More Contraventions and Violences in Namur and Haynault After all this they gave us to understand they were not
ever since in Demensn with all Sovereignty and Jurisdiction without doing any Service or paying any Relief for it to the Duke of Barr who on the contrary by Grant of 15 July 1602. confirm'd 26 March 1603. releas'd all Rights and Obligations of Vassalship direct Seigniory and Feodal Tenure he had or could pretend to or demand over the said County of Chiny in exchange for the Services and Reliefs due from the said Duke of Barr for several considerable Lands to wit the Town and Castlewick of Sâ—thenay the Town and Castlewick of Marville the Provostship of Arancy the Ban or Mannor of Marry and Conflans in Gernesey which the Archdukes Albert and Isabel released to that Duke yet the Chamber of Metz condemned the Lord of the County of Chiny to do in Person his Fealty and Homage whereof he had been acquitted by solemn Acts executed with all Formality requisite Not to mention that the Duke of Barr pretended to the Seigniory of no more than a moiety of the said County as appears by the said Grant of 15 July 1602. and by another of 10 September 1553. 25. However the Count de Bissy the tenth of July 1681. entred the Province again with a Body of Horse and Dragoons and caused the Commander of Chiny to be summoned to quit that Place with his Garrison threatning him with ill usage in case of refusal But the Commander having not thought fit to obey the Summons Count Bissy staid some days with his Troops about Chiny and afterwards march'd with them from one end of the province to the other requiring the Subjects of his Catholick Majesty to receive them and to swear Fealty and Homage to the most Christian King which some were forced to do And having continued some days at Aye he march'd with his Troops to Ortevilli Asnoi lez Bastoigne Martelange and Elle and afterwards went on to the further end of the Marshes and posted himself between Mersch and Luxemburgh till about the end of August 26. So that the Spaniards were obliged to evacuate Chiny to prevent the Ruine of the Province and of Brabant Flanders and Hainalt threatned by the French who use in such cases to be too true to their Words as appears sufficiently by many fresh Instances here before mentioned 27. But France not satisfied with the Evacuation of Chiny demanded that the following Places should be evacuated to wit Remich Greven-Macheren Wasserbillig Echternach Vianden Dickrich S. Vith La Roche Houstalize Durbuy Clervaux Marche Mirwart Bastoigne Arlon and their Dependents to which the Spaniards were forced to submit 28. Thus France got possession of them and generally of all the Places Lands and Lordships of the Dutchy of Luxemburgh except the Villages of the Provostship of Luxemburgh and obliged the Officers and Lawyers to swear Allegiance to the most Christian King tho the Places Lands and Lordships above-mentioned or any of them have not any dependence on the County of Chiny or any other Capital Place belonging to France but have always been part of the Dutchy of Luxemburgh and for several Ages held of the duke as Sovereign Lord thereof as will particularly appear by what shall be observed concerning every Place hereafter specified and possessed by France 29. The Provostship of Luxemburgh is composed of three Jurisdictions Kuntzig or Clemancy Putlange and Bettingen three Land-Mayories Bettemburgh Sand-Weiler and Kehlen and three Mayoralties Steinsel Lingtgen and Schittenigen consisting together in seventy one Villages and Hamlets and thirty five more called The Villages of the provost this Provostship is of the Ancient Patrimony of the Earls and Dukes of Luxemburgh having heretofore belong'd to Sigisfroid first Earl of Luxemburgh who having purchased in the year 963. of Wikerus Abbot of St. Maximin at Treves the Castle of Luxemburgh in exchange for an Estate in the village of Tealen immediately caused this Town of Luxemburgh to be built there And the Earls and Dukes of Luxemburgh have ever since successively enjoy'd the said City and Provostship in Demean with all Rights of Jurisdiction and Sovereignty till Count Bissy possest himself of the said Provostship 30. Besides the said Jurisdictions Land Mayoralties Mayoralties and Villages of the Provostship have been always survey'd together and taxed jointly towards all Publick Charges ordinary and extraordinary under the name of The provostship of Luxemburgh as appears by the Register of Fires in 1552 1553 1604 1656 1659. Every of them being govern'd by a Sheriff and Assessor who with the Provost make up the Provost-Court kept in the City of Luxemburgh where the Assessors are obliged to reside And it cannot be proved the said provostship or any part of it is a Dependent of the Lordship of Rodenmacker but hath always acknowledged the Earls and Dukes of Luxemburgh its Sovereigns and is held of them nor yet of the County of Chiny nor of any other Capital Place the County of Chiny having been first purchased by Wenceslaus first Duke of Luxemburgh in the Year 1364. as hath been already made out and consequently above four hundred Years after the Earls of Luxemburgh were first seised of that Provostship which now is intirely in the possession of France except only the thirty five Villages and Hamlets of the Provost The Borrough Franchise and mayoralty of Remich consisting in 20 Villages and Hamlets 31. If any Place in the province may be reputed annex'd to the Town and Provostship of Luxemburgh the Mayoralty of Remich must certainly be so having belonged to the first Earls of Luxemburgh and the Inhabitants are free of City of Luxemburgh as well as of Remich And the Court or Mayordom of Remich hath also belonged to the first Earls of Luxemburgh who as well as their Successors the Earls and Dukes of that Place have always enjoy'd it in Demesne and exercised in it all Jurisdiction and Sovereignty the ninth part of all Wine and Grain within the Mayordom having been paid his Catholick Majesty by the Hands of the Receiver of his Demesns in the City of Luxemburgh who resides there and receives also the Demesns of the Provostship of Luxemburgh Walerand and Ermesind Earl and Countess of Luxemburgh in the Year 1225. assigned to their Daughter Catharin promised in Marriage to Matthew Duke of Lorrain Three thousand Livers Messinois on the Demesns of Remich and other Places which in 1229. were paid the said Duke Henry the ninth Earl of Luxemburgh and Son of Walerand and Ermesind with Margaret his Wife paid the Cloyster of Clairfontain near Arlon Thirty Awms of Wine to be taken out of their Demesns of Remich and Graven-Mackeren By which it appears the Mayordom of Remich is of the ancient Patrimony and Demesns of the Earls and Dukes of Luxemburgh who have from time to time caused it to be Assess'd and to pay towards all Publick Charges ordinary and extraordinary The Jurisdiction of Mackeren le Conte consisting in the Town and thirty four Villages and Hamlets 32. The Jurisdiction of Mackeren le Conte consisting in the
for his Majesties use Several other Chapmen were forced to do the like and some to quit their Bargains and restore the Woods sold them by the Officers of his Catholick Majesty finally the Woodwards appointed by his Catholick Majesty were forced to take an Oath to serve the most Christian King in the same Function And the Chapmen of Falaen were forbidden to carry out of the Woods of Foy any Wood Sold there The Right of Spain to the Woods of Biert By a Transaction and Agreement in the year 1266 between Thomas Abbot of Broigne and his Covent of the one part and Guy Earl of Flanders and Marquess of Namur of the other part upon a Controversie happen'd about the Woods of Biert It was agreed that among several other Woods those of Biert should remain to the said Guy who in consideration thereof granted to the said Abbot and Covent a piece of Wood Ground descended to him from his Ancestors as appears at large by the Agreement In pursuance whereof the said Guy Marquess of Namur and his Successors have to this day peaceably enjoyed the said Woods without any Interruption by the said Abbot and Covent or their Successors who have likewise enjoyed the Woods past to them by the said Guy And if there had not been any such Transaction or Agreement yet a Possession of four hundred years and upwards is by the Common Law of the Country sufficient to create a Right which is presum'd upon continual and peaceable possession the rather for that by the 35th Article of the Customs of Namur there is no more required than a possession of Forty years to prescribe against the Church The Bailiage of Bouvignes The Sixth of July 1681 the Intendant Faultrier with the Sieur Madelan and Charles Boron his Deputy being come to the place of residence of the Baily of Bouvignes caused the Officers of Justice and some principal Inhabitants of that place to be summoned to swear Allegiance to France which they did and were the same time prohibited on pain of Chastisement to own any other Superiour The same Intendant sent Orders to the Officers of Justice at Gerpines to repair to Biesme and take the like Oath without any Dispute otherwise it should go ill with them and they should be punished as disobedient The like was done to those of the Villages of Acos Joncret Villers la Potterie Sart a la Stache Orez Gougines Bois de Villers Romree and Turnault Dependents of the said Bailiage And to the Farmer of the Rents of the Mannor belonging to his Catholick Majesty in the Forest of Marlaigne who were all obliged to take the said Oath the Intendant alledging for the ground of his proceedings the Authority of Prophecies and some sayings of Wizards The Intendant having sent Orders to the Mayor and principal Inhabitants of Lesues and Arbre Dependents of the same Bailiage to come to St. Gerard for the purpose above-mentioned they not coming accordingly Charles Boron his Deputy caused them to be taken in the Night by Souldiers and carried to St. Gerard the 7th of June 1681 where upon their Arrival the Commander prohibited them to receive any Orders from those of Namur or to pay them any thing on pain of being severely punished Orders being afterwards sent them by four French Dragoons to come again to St. Gerard they obey'd and found there the Intendant the Sieur Madelain and other French Officers And the Intendant having declared to them it was convenient they should take an Oath of Allegiance to France the said Mayor and Inhabitants excused themselves the Intendant hearing them Ordered the Commander of St. Gerard to have his Men in readiness to go punish those who would not obey his Orders this so frightned the Mayor and Inhabitants they took the Oath as required The Right of Spain to the Bailiage of Bouvignes That the Bailiage of Bouvignes belongs to his Catholick Majesty is sufficiently made out by a Deed in 1262 remaining among the Records of the Castle of Namur whereby it appears that the same year Baldwyn Emperour of Constantinople and Philip his Son then Earls of Namur by Succession after several Ancestors had sold the Town and Castle of Namur Bouvignes Golsines Vies ville and the whole County of Namur to Guy Earl of Flanders whom his Catholick Majesty represents And pursuant to this Sale this said Emperour and his Son Ordered and Commanded the Inhabitants of the Town and County of Namur to acknowledge the above-named Earl of Flanders their Lord and to pay him in all things the obedience faithful Subjects ought to pay their Sovereign which hath to this time been successively done The Earls of Namur having constantly possess'd and enjoy'd with all Soveraignty the Town of Bouvignes and the places its Dependents particularly Enumerated in the Register before-mentioned of the Demesnes of the County of Namur in 1265 called Le livre aux aisselles Rosee Flavion and Serville The said Intendant possess'd himself also of the Villages of Rosee Flavion and Serville Dependents of the said Bailiage And the Receiver General of Namur having caused two beasts belonging to some Inhabitants of the Village of Bois de Villers to be seized for a Debt due for some Wood sold by his Catholick Majesties Officers of the Woods The Intendant by way of Reprisal caused a Forge-Master to be taken and carried to St. Gerard and thence to Philippe-ville to be kept Prisoner there till restitution of the Beasts the Commander of St. Gerard being informed that the Mayors of Arbre and Lesues had been with the Attorney General of Namur to acquaint him with the Prohibition they lay under to pay any Taxes to his Catholick Majesty sent a Party of Dragoons to take them and forbad them to go any more on any such Errands without his Orders on pain of being Chastised adding they ought not to own any Superior but France Ontraye The third of August 1681 the said Intendant accompanied with St. Madelain Governour of Philippe-ville and other Officers came to Ontraye and having caused Dieu-donne Petit Jean his Catholick Majesties Commissioner there for the Customs and Duties of Exportation and Importation to come before him he declared he was come to take possession of that Village and therefore forbad him to Levy there any more Duties for his Catholick Majesty which prohibition the Commissioner was forced to comply with And the Officers of Justice and several Inhabitants of Ontraye were Commanded to meet and take an Oath of Allegiance to France and to give in their Names to be Registred all which was accordingly Executed And in the Woods of Biesme and of Halloy and Vieux Fourneau its Dependents the French Officers have marked a great quantity of the fairest Trees to be fallen and used in Buildings at Philippeville The Provostship of Poilvache The same Intendant Faultrier sent Order Dated the 10th of April 1680 to the Lieutenant Provost of Poilvache importing That as his most Christian Majesty had ordered him to take
of the Earl of Namur for so doing By another Record of the year 1322 it appears that the Steward of Haynalt holds the Land of Thy of the Earl of Namur And by the Register of the year 1265 that the Earl of Namur hath right to Command all the Inhabitants of Thier to attend him in the Army and to provide Horses and Carriages for his Progresses and Journeys or to pay him Composition for the same By the old Repertory of the Fiefes it appears that John Lord of Werchin Seneschal of Hamault is Liegeman to the Earl of Namur and did him Homage for all his Territory of Thier to wit the Castle-house and Towns of Thier Castle Feroul Line Tarsinne The Jurisdiction of Rabusee Somzee Gourdins with all and every their Appurtenances And that from the year 1367 James Lord Werchin Steward of Hamault and his Successors from time to time to this day did Homage to the Earl of Namur for the said Territory The same Territory of Thy Le Chasteau is Charged and Assess'd at a certain sum both in the said Accompts of Aydes in the year 1493 and of the Aids of the Clergy in 1562. And by the Register of Surveys in 1602 't is clear that Thy Le Chasteau is part of the Province of Namur and Bayliage of Bovignes Ayseaux le Reux and the Abby of Ognyes The like Order of the 29th of September 1681 was sent by Faultrier to the Mayor Sheriffs Officers at Law and Inhabitants of the Village of Ayseaux le Reux and Ognyes with their Appendents and Appurtenances The Title of Spain to the places last above-mentioned As to Ayseaux there is in the Castle of Namur a Record of the year 1334 concerning the difference between the Duke of Brabant and Earl of Namur about Aysiaux which was referred to the Arbitration of the French King and other Lords there named wherein it is awarded that the Earl of Namur shall use Soveraign Jurisdiction in Ayseaux By another Record of the year 1343 in the same Castle mention is made of an Agreement concerning the Land of Ayseaux whereby John Duke of Brabant released the Right he claimed to the said Territory to the use of William Earl of Namur By another Record of the year 1350 the French King being chosen Arbitrator between the Duke of Brabant and the Earl of Namur about Ayseaux Awarded that the Prior of Ognyes should receive and keep the Rents and Profits of the Territory of Ayseaux till Determination of the matter in Controversie between the Parties By another Record of the year 1357. Wencestaus Duke of Brabant and William Earl of Namur surrendered their right to Ayseaux into the Emperors hands with Power to dispose thereof as he should think fit Since which Ayseaux was granted to the Duke of Brabant and John the first of that name gave it to his Son John the Bastard of Braban surnamed Brant whose Mother was a Daughter of that House the Land and Lordship of Ayseaux with the Appurtenances to be held in Fee of the Duke The present Marquess d' Ayseaux is a Descendent of the said Brant and in Right thereof sits in the States of Brabant as appears by the Feodal Registers of Brabant and by Christopher Berken's Trophees of Brabant Printed in 1641 fol. 448 c. 653 c. N. The beginning of October 1681 the French posted themselves at Wepion close by Namur and hindered the Importation of any Grain into Namur by Land or by Water and for that purpose seiz'd several Sacks of Corn and Horses that came from Villers and searched all the Boats that came down the Meuse The Fishery in the Meuse at Wepion The French have prohibited his Catholick Majesties Farmers of the said Fishery at Wepion and thereabouts and taken away the Fish they had taken pretending that the said Fishery belong'd to the most Christian King Besides Faultrier made an Ordinance Dated the 10th of September 1681 to all Persons any way accomptable for the Demesnes of his Catholick Majesty between the Sombre and the Meuse to make Payment of what is in their hands to N. Boron and his Order And sent a Billet without Date whereby he gave notice he would at nine in the morning at Falaen sell to him that bid most the most of the Forests of Biere of High and Low Marlaigne of the Forest of Marly the Forests of Biesne old Tournan Halloy the under-Woods of Wellan Hez Bruaire Feroniar and Ford all situate between the Sambre and the Meuse and belonging to his Catholick Majesty The Right of Spain to the Fishery and Forests By a Placart of His Majesty Decreed and Publish'd in the year 1591 concerning the Isles in the Meuse and grounded upon an ancient Record of that Country it appears his Majesty as Earl of Namur hath the whole Course of the River from beyond Saulx a Revin towards France to the Poplars of Ardem and Rieu d'Alim near the Town of Huy with full Seigniory and Jurisdiction As to the Forests of Biere c. it appears by a Record of the year 1324 remaining in the Castle of Namur that a certain Lady granted and transferred to the Earl of Namur the Wood of Marliar As for those of Biert Bresne Marlaigne and others see what hath been said before concerning them Floreffe An Ordinance Dated the 28th of September 1681 was posted up by night in Floresse whereby the said Intendant Prohibits the Transportation of Grain out of the Territories under the Dominion of France Commanding the Guards and others to stop their passage to seize the Horses and Carriages and the Boats if any pass loaden with Grain and to Confiscate them to the use of the Farmers of his most Christian Majesty though the Village of Floreffe is notoriously known to be within the Dominions of Spain and the French have not yet possess'd themselves of it so that 't is superfluous to add any more on that Subect Spontin An Ordinance to the like effect was sent by Faultrier to Spontin and divers other Villages of this County with a Prohibition to the Mayor Sheriffs and Inhabitants of Spontin to pay any Tallage or Aids to his Catholick Majesty on pain of Disobedeince The Title of Spain to Spontin By a Record of the year 1377 in the Castle of Namur it appears that the Lord of Spontin owns the Earl of Namur to be his Lord and confesses he bought of him the Mill of Spontin for some Bushels of Corn to be delivered into the Granaries of the Castle of Polvache Besides in an old Register of in the Offiec the Soveraigne Bayliage Intituled The Register in Parchment it appears in the Chapter of Poilvache that William Lardienoy held of the Earl and did him Homage for his Castle Lordship and Territory of Spontin to wit the Town of Spontin and its Dependences there set forth at large In the said Account of Aids of the years 1491 and 1562 Spontin is Assess'd among the Villages of this Province And in
Province of Namur To come to particulars Emptines Natoye and Sorinnes sur Dinant are part of the seventeen Villages above-mentioned as appears in the Chapter of Gerpinnes Spontin we have already spoken of particularly As to Halliot and Menceau we find an Award between the Earl of Namur and the Chapter of Ardenne Decreed in 1384 and remaining of Record in the Castle of Namur whereby it is declared that the Seigniory of Halliot and Manceau belongs to the Earl of Namur As to Loustin and Mallien there is an Agreement made between the said Earl and the Chapter of Huy in 1400 whereby a-among other things it appears that the Earl of Namur is Lord Paramount of Loustin and Mallien As to Awaigne it appears by a Record of 1384 that Chabot as a Descendent of the House of Awaigne acknowledged he owed the Earl of Namur in Right of his Castle and Lordship of Poilvach the Service of Person and Teem and other Duties there particulary set forth As to the Ban or Liberty of Leignon there is in the said Castle a Record of the year 1400 of the Rights and Seigniory of the Earl of Namur over the Liberty of Leignon and that in Right of his Territory of Poilvach he is Soveraign Lord of Leignon As to Ivoir and Champal it appears by a Record of the year 1385 in the Castle of Namur that N. Mancor granted away the great Tythes of Ivoir and Champal to the Earl of Namur And by a Register made by a Receiver General of Namur beginning in 1345 't is plain that James de Marchie Receiver General of Namur having given notice by Proclamation he would Farm out the Rents and Profits of Champal with the Meadows Lands and Tythes thereto belonging in the year 1497 did the 27th of May the same year lett them to Farm to Matthew Dauchet under the Rent there specified for the term of Twelve years in the Name and for the use of the Arch-Duke of Austria Duke of Burgoigne and Earl of Namur As for Hodomont it appears by the second Volume of the Repertory in the List of Fiefes of the County of Namur that Libert Son of Jacqmin of Hodomont is a Liegeman to the Earl of Namur and did Homage for the Lands and Lordship of Hodomont with all its Members and Appurtenances in the year 1372 and that from 1372 to 1545 the Lords of Hodomont have successively done like Homage to the Earls of Namur By the Register called The Parchment List in the Chapter of Poilvach fol. 34 it appears as to Lisoigne That Baldwyn de Mostier holds all his Territory of Lisoigne with the Chief and Annual Rents Capons Lands Meadows Woods and Pasture of the Earl of the Earl of Namur as Lord of Poilvach By the same Register in the same Chapter it appears that Monsieur Arnold Lord of Cowaren holds of the Earl of Namur in Frank Fee the Liberty of Natoye By the Register of the Fiefes of Aloux beginning in the year 1486 it appears that John de Ramelot in 1507 holds of the Earl of Namur as of his Castle of Namur all the Lands and Lordships of Goesne with its Appurtenances and Dependents As to the Land of Hour en Fancen it appears by the second Volume of the old Repertory that Walter the Son of Oliver Centfontain did Homage to the Earl of Namur for his Mesmage and Lands of Hour and Fancenn And that John Small Heir of the said Walter did the like in 1408 and the owners of the said Lands and Lordship of Hour en Fancenne have from time to time done Homage for the same to the Earls of Namur The Woods of Hanwez and Loche Dependents of the Provostship of Poilvache N. Boron Faultrier's Deputy in November 1681 Caused John Grosseaux his Catholick Majesties Woodward of Hanwez to come to Dinant and having informed himself by him of the Growth of those Woods and the regular Course of Falling them yearly He forbad Grosseaux to come any more into Namur to make any report concerning the said Woods to his Majesties Officers but to repair to him Personally at Dinant After which he caused above two hundred of the best Timber-Trees in the Woods of Loche to be cut down The Right of Spain to these Woods It appears by the Sale of the Provostship of Poilvache and its Dependences in 1344 by John Earl of Luxemburgh to Dame Mary d' Artoy that all Woods Dependents of that Provostship are mentioned and comprised in the Sale Achin and Soliers Faultrier sent Orders to the Abby of Soliers and Inhabitants of Ahin the same in effect with those sent to the Provostship of Poilvache prohibiting payment of any Duty to his Catholick Majesty notwithstanding any Order from the States of the Province and Commanding them not to obey any Orders but what should be sent them on the behalf of his Majesty upon pretence the said places are Dependents of the said Provostship though in truth they are not but within the Jurisdiction of the Province of Namur And at Ahin there is a Custom-house settled by his Catholick Majesty for Duties of Exportation and Importation Ingress and Egress The Right of Spain to Soliers and Ahin Soliers and Ahin are Dependents of the Province of Namur within the Bayliage of Entre Meuse and Arche as appears by the said account of Aids of 1493 and the Register of Surveys of 1602. As to Ahin in particular 't is a Fee held of the Castle of Namur Libert de Foux did Homage for it in 1404 and so have the other Owners successively done as appears by the second Volume of the List of Fiefes The Records concerning Soliers are in the Custody of the Nuns of Illec and indeavours shall be used to have them produced if there be Cause High and Low Arche Boron sent an Order Dated the 8th of December 1681 to Francis de Page Woodward of High and Low Arche a Dependent of the Bayliage of Entre Meuse and Arche to repair to Dinant to take the Oath of Allegiance to France but because we are not certain France hath taken possession of those Woods we forbear to set forth his Catholick Majesties Title thereto Wepion Godines and Leswes Because the Council of this Province had sent into the Villages between the Sambre and the Meuse and into the Provostship of Poilvach the Placarts last Published by his Highness Count Montbron sent Order to the Mayors and Inhabitants of the same places prohibiting them to receive such Placarts on pain of being punished as Rebels and threatning to send to the Gallies the Bearers of such Placarts whom he calls Vagabonds The beginning of the year 1682 Boron accompanied with Serjeant Benedict came to the Village of Biesme la Colonness situate between the Sambre and the Meuse and a Dependent of the Bayliage of Bovignes where he levyed and received all the Chief-rents belonging to his Catholick Majesty and caused them to be left at the House of Hubert Baviot at Biesme On Twelf-day last John de Gozee Lord of Biesme as the People came from Mass in the Parish-Church caused it to be Published aloud before all the Commonalty of Biesme that he had received Order from France to lay an Assessment on the said Commonalty to be presently paid And that the Order was they should be Taxed at 600 Florins for Biesme instead of 1945 they formerly paid his Catholick Majesty The like Order Dated the second of January 1683 was sent to Wepion and to Hontoir a Dependent of the Baliage of Bovignes whereby it appears that Hontoir is Assessed at Forty Florins to be forthwith paid into the hands of the Lord of Biesme appointed by France to collect the said Assessments Besides which all the Inhabitants of the places in the possession of France were commanded upon hearing a Bell rung to assemble together and Seize those who should bring Placarts or other orders in his Catholick Majesty's names with threats of Reprizal on his Majesties Subjects if any on behalf of his Majesty or his Officers should Levy any Duties from the said Inhabitants or their Estates as appears at Large by Faultriers Order The 11 of January 1682. By two other Orders delivered at Hontoir and Dated the one the 12 of September the other the 22 of November 1682 he Prohibited the inhabitants between the Sambre and the Meuse to appear for any Cause or pretence whatsoever before the Officers and Courts of his Catholick Majesty and Commanded them to withdraw their Suits if any depending there under divers penalties express'd in the Order With Prohibition to all Mayors Provosts Bayliffs and other Officers of the said Villages to receive or admit into their Jurisdiction any Advocates Proctors or other pleaders but such only as are Subjects of France By Billet of the first of January Faultrier forbad those who get Stone out of the Quarries in the fields of Houx close adjoyning to the Town of Bovignes to pay for them to any but Boron pretending the said Quarryes are dependents of the Provostship of Poilvache tho' they are in truth within the Liberty and Jurisdiction of Bovignes As to his Catholick Majestys right to all the places above mentioned besides what hath already been said on that Subject his Majesty and Predecessors have been in possession of them time out of mind for several Ages and till now have continually exercised all acts of Soveraignty over them without contradiction of any Person whatever January 15. 1682. FINIS