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History of Belgium

Belgium is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with a complex federal system structured on regional and linguistic grounds.. 4 eras, 866 CE to today.

County of Flanders, 866 CE–1797 Draft, not yet reviewed

The County of Flanders was one of the most powerful political entities in the medieval Low Countries, located on the North Sea coast of modern-day Belgium and north-eastern France. Unlike the neighbouring states of Brabant and Hainaut, it was within the territory of the Kingdom of France. For centuries, the economic activity of the Flemish cities, such as Ghent, Bruges, Ypres and Lille, made Flanders one of the most affluent regions in Europe, and also gave them strong international connections to trading partners. The county of Flanders officially ceased to exist in 1795, when it was annexed by France, and divided into two departments.

Seat of power: Bruges

Rulers

Burgundian Netherlands, 1384–1482 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Burgundian Netherlands were parts of the Low Countries that were ruled by the House of Valois-Burgundy between 1384 and 1482. The Valois Dukes of Burgundy gradually acquired and united those lowlands into a political union that went beyond a personal union establishing central institutions for the first time (such as the States General). The period began with Duke Philip the Bold taking office as count and lord of Antwerp, Artois, Flanders, Mechelen, and Rethel in 1384, and lasted until the death of Duchess Mary of Burgundy in 1482. The Valois era would last until 1477, when Duke Charles the Bold died at the Battle of Nancy leaving no male heir.

Seat of power: Brussels

Rulers

Habsburg Netherlands, 1482–1797 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Habsburg Netherlands were the parts of the Low Countries that were ruled by sovereigns from the House of Habsburg. Their rule began in 1482 and ended for the Northern Netherlands in 1581 and for the Southern Netherlands in 1797. Becoming known as the Seventeen Provinces in 1549, they were held by the Spanish branch of the Habsburgs from 1556, thus becoming known as the Spanish Netherlands from that time on. The remaining Spanish Southern Netherlands became the Austrian Netherlands in 1714, after Austrian acquisition under the Treaty of Rastatt.

Seat of power: Brussels

Belgium, 1830 to today Draft, not yet reviewed

An independent Belgium was established in 1830 following the Belgian Revolution. Since the installation of Leopold I as king on 21 July 1831, now celebrated as Belgium's National Day, Belgium has been a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. In the 19th century Belgium was one of the earliest participants in the Industrial Revolution, and the first country in continental Europe to become industrialised. Belgium became one of the six founding members of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951 and of the European Atomic Energy Community and European Economic Community, established in 1957.

Seat of power: Brussels

Rulers

Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.