House of Lorraine

The House of Lorraine (FR: Maison de Lorraine, DE: Haus Lothringen, IT: Casato di Lorena) is the ruling house of the Kingdom of Lorraine and Burgundy. They officially began as a junior branch to the ancient House of Ardennes-Metz, though the two houses are almost always seen as synonymous with one another and little to no distinction is made between the two. Originally reigning as Dukes of Lorraine, they rose to greater power within the 12th and 13th centuries through a series of strategic alliances. By 1251 with the ascension of Duke Frédéric III, the power of Lorraine had risen far enough that he, along with his allies, could challenge the authority of the Emperor. The house subdued the region formerly known as the Kingdom of Arles, adding it to their vast territories. It was Frédéric in 1283 who declared himself King of Lorraine and Burgundy, becoming Frédéric I, after rebelling against the Holy Roman Emperor. He succeeded in his rebellion, forming the fully independent Kingdom under the authority of the Lorraines.

Members of the house have been commonly known for their ambition and guile, though certain members of the house have been known to be indulgent and indiscreet. The house has grown respected, wealthy and powerful in their history, though they were never seen as great conquerors and rose to their heights mainly through strategic marriages with more powerful rulers. Most notably was the marriage of King Frédéric III in 1475 to Mary of Burgundy, the last Duchess of Burgundy. Their marriage brought the Duchy of Burgundy, as well as the vast territories in the Low Countries, under the domain of the House of Lorraine. By the 17th century, a series of wars had led the house into holding greater territories within the weakening Holy Roman Empire, as well as their involvement with the Thirty Years' War granting them greater sway and holdings.

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