Vaudémonts

Vaudémonts refers to a historical family and their associated territories in the Lorraine region of what is now France. The most prominent figure associated with this name is Gérard d'Vaudémont, who lived in the 11th century. He was the son of Lothar IV, Count of Anjou, and was granted lands in Lorraine by Emperor Henry III. This grant established the County of Vaudémont.

The County of Vaudémont played a significant role in the political landscape of Lorraine for centuries. The family was known for its military prowess and its involvement in the feudal conflicts of the era. Over time, the County of Vaudémont was often entangled with the larger Duchy of Lorraine, sometimes being held by collateral branches of the ducal family.

The last direct line of the Vaudémont counts ended in the 15th century. However, the name and the legacy of the family persisted. The title and lands were eventually absorbed into the wider territories controlled by the Dukes of Lorraine. The former county's territory is located in the present-day Meurthe-et-Moselle and Meuse departments. The village of Vaudémont itself, in Meurthe-et-Moselle, retains historical connections to the family, with remnants of their former castle still visible. The Vaudémont family's history is an important chapter in the regional history of Lorraine, reflecting the complex feudal structures and dynastic shifts of medieval France.