Limbourg

Etymology and history

Arms of the Duke of Limburg.svg Duchy of Limburg 1065–1795 Flag of the Low Countries.svg Burgundian Netherlands 1430–1482 Flag of the Low Countries.svg Habsburg Netherlands 1482–1556 Flag of the Low Countries.svg Spanish Netherlands 1556–1714 Austrian Low Countries Flag.svg Austrian Netherlands 1714–1794 Flag of France (1794-1815).svg French Republic 1795–1804 Flag of France (1794-1815).svg French Empire 1804–1815 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Kingdom of the Netherlands 1815–1830 Kingdom of Belgium 1830–present The second part of the name Limbourg is from burg meaning a fortified town, which is common in many parts of Europe where Germanic languages are spoken or have been spoken historically (see Germanic placename etymology). Concerning the first part of the name, there are various theories. One is lint meaning "dragon". Another is that it refers back to the Roman-era limes, situated at boundaries of the Empire. It may also have been related to the material lim or lime. Jean-Louis Kupper has proposed that the fort was named by its founder Frederick after Limburg Abbey in Germany, which in his lifetime had important connection to his imperial patrons and the Abbey of Stavelot, for which he was advowee.

Limbourg is located on top of a hill which in its turn is surrounded by the river Vesdre. This was a strong military advantage in the Middle Ages and allowed the city to defend itself against foreign invaders. In the Middle Ages, the ruling family came to have the rank of duke and so the town was the seat of the Duchy of Limburg, which was a part of the Lower Lorraine region of the Holy Roman Empire.

The town featured in the War of the Spanish Succession, falling in 1703 to English and Dutch forces led by the Duke of Marlborough.

The song 'The Fat Lady of Limbourg' on Brian Eno's 1974 album 'Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy)' describes an asylum in the town which has more patients than there are residents of the town.

File:Limbourg, de Vesder in de stad foto9 2017-03-12 14.07.jpg|Limbourg, the Vesdre File:Limbourg, chapelle Saint-Anne oeg63046-CLT-0001-01 foto5 2017-03-12 13.42.jpg|The chapel of Saint Anne Image:Limburg1600.png|Limbourg about 1600

In popular culture

• The Fat Lady of Limbourg, song by English musician Brian Eno.

References

References

1. Occasionally formerly "Lambourg", as in the 1584 [[Treaty of Joinville]].
2. Berkel and Samplonius, "Het Plaatsnamenboek", 1989, Unieboek, Houten
3. Jean-Louis Kupper (2007) Les origines du duché de Limbourg-sur-Vesdre", ''Revue belge de Philologie et d'Histoire'' Année 85-3-4 pp. 609-637 [http://www.persee.fr/doc/rbph_0035-0818_2007_num_85_3_5096]
4. DeRogatis, Jim (2004). Turn on Your Mind: Four Decades of Great Psychedelic Rock. Hal Leonard. ISBN 0-634-05548-8.