Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Good Cities

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The Good Cities (French: Bonnes Villes) were the most important cities of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège (980-1795). If considered a Good City, the city was allowed to build a city wall; partake in the States of Liège; and erect a perron symbolising the autonomy and freedom of Liège.

In 1651 the Good Cities numbered 23, and they were grouped in so-called villes thioises (Low Dietsch cities, which contemporarily would be termed Dutch or Flemish) and villes françoises (contemporarily French or Walloon cities). All of these Good Cities are located within present-day Belgium.

Two other major cities of the Prince-Bishopric had a special statute, which differentiated them from the Good Cities as they were not allowed to be represented at the States of Liège.

The cities

Villes thioises

Villes françoises

Cities with a special statute

The Condominium of Maastricht - of which the Prince-Bishopric shared the authority with the Duchy of Brabant and later the Dutch Republic - as well as the Dukedom of Bouillon comprised the two cities with special statute.

References

Good Cities Wikipedia