Burgundy, France
1859

BURGUNDY, an ancient province in the east of France, comprising the Pays de la Monagne, the Auxerrois, the Auxois, the Dijonnais, the Autunais, the Chalonnais, the Charolais, the Maconnais, the Bresse, the Bugey, the principality of Dombes, and the Pays de Gex; forming a total area of 2,597,698 hectacres... This province derives its name from the Burgundii, who settled in it so early as the 5th cent., and founded a kingdom which was by degrees annexed to the crown of France. This kingdom was subsequently divided into Burgundia Trans-Jurana, or Upper Burgundy (afterwards Franche-Comte); and Burgundia Cis-Jurana, or Lower Burgundy, the subject of the present article. The last remained for many years in the possession of the kings of France, who governed it by viceroy, with the title of duke. This office becoming hereditary, the dukes of Burgundy acquired such influence, as to become, in the 10th cent., sovereigns of France. After various changes, the duchy, which had for some time been governed by a distinct branch, was seized on the death of Charles the Bold,, in 1577, by Louis XI of France, and it has ever since continued an integral part of the French monarchy. Different French princes of the blood have borne the title of duke of Burgundy.

A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Volume 2, A. Fullarton, 1859

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