Middle Ages Limburg (Belgium)

in late roman , medieval times, northern or kempen part of belgian limburg became virtually empty because of germanic plundering. area, still known roman name toxandria, settled incoming salian franks north, under pressure saxons. southern or haspengouw part of belgian limburg remained more heavily romanised, became core land of frankish empires. 9th century, frankish carolingian dynasty, based in , around belgian limburg, had turned gaul in francia , ruled empire included of western europe.

early christianity established earliest in romanised southeastern corner of limburg, around tongeren, , missionaries went north there convert franks. church capital moved nearby maastricht , liège, area of activity of st servatius , later lambert of maastricht. archbishops therefore became responsible large territory stretching delta of maas river saint in south of limburg st trudo, name survives in 1 of major towns in southern limburg.

after death of charlemagne, limburg part of central lotharingian division of frankish europe lay between france , germany , stretched italy. after death of first ruler, lothar, integrated eastern francia, become holy roman empire. in period around 881 , 882 areas along maas , in haspengouw plundered vikings, established base @ asselt on maas, today in roermond in dutch limburg.

belgian limburg corresponds closely medieval territory of county of loon (french looz), centred on fortified town of borgloon. came possess of haspengouw, , large part of kempen province contains today. part of loon, belgian limburg became subject, not spiritually politically, prince bishops of liège.