Lotharingian

Lotharingian refers to a historical region and its associated people and culture, primarily existing in the 9th and 10th centuries. The name originates from Lothair I, Holy Roman Emperor, who in the Treaty of Verdun in 843 divided the Frankish Empire among his three sons. Lothair II inherited the central part of the empire, which became known as Lotharingia. This kingdom stretched from the North Sea down to Burgundy, encompassing territories that would later form parts of modern-day France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.

Lotharingia was a strategically important and culturally diverse region, bridging the Germanic and Romance language areas. Its fragmented nature and its position between the West and East Frankish kingdoms led to frequent political instability and territorial disputes. Over time, Lotharingia was gradually absorbed into its more powerful neighbors. The Duchy of Lorraine, a successor state, remained for centuries as a contested territory before eventually becoming part of France in the 18th century.

The term "Lotharingian" can also refer to the Romance dialects spoken in Lorraine and surrounding areas, which share characteristics of both French and Germanic languages. While the political entity of Lotharingia ceased to exist, its historical legacy can be seen in the cultural and linguistic landscape of the regions it once encompassed.