Lorraine

Lorraine, since 1871 a district between Metz and the Vosges, but in the Middle Ages a much more extensive region. As forming part of the German Empire in the 9th century, it comprised the land between the Scheldt, the Meuse, and the Rhine. In the next century its Count became a Duke, and in 954 it was divided into Upper and Lower, the latter of which became part of Brabant in the 13th century. Upper Lorraine retained its Dukes till 1736, when it passed to Stanislas, ex-King of Poland, becoming French in 1766.