Bouillon

Bouillon, a duchy, originally German, in the Belgian part of the grand-duchy of Luxemburg, consisting of a woody and hilly district in the Ardennes, about 145 sq. m. in extent. This duchy was the possession of the famous crusader, Godfrey of Bouillon, who, in order to raise money for his crusade, pledged it in 1095 to the Bishop of Liège. It was conquered by France in the war of 1672. By the peace of 1814, the greater part of it was included in the grand-duchy of Luxemburg, and the sovereignty of it passed to the king of the Netherlands. By the revolution of 1830, Bouillon, along with Luxemburg, was separated from the Netherlands, and in 1837 united to Belgium.—The principal town is Bonillon, situated between steep hills on the Semoy, 9 miles NNE. of Sedan, and near the French frontier. Pop. 2765. For the crusader, see GODFREY.