Generality Lands

The Generality Lands (Dutch: Generaliteitslanden) were border territories of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, that were directly governed by the Estates-General of the Netherlands. Contrary to the seven provinces Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, Overijssel, Friesland and Groningen, these territories were not represented in the national government.

The Generality Lands were ceded to the United Provinces by Spain as a result of the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. They were:

• Staats-Brabant: the ceded northern part of the duchy of Brabant, most of the present province of North Brabant

• Staats-Vlaanderen: the ceded northern part of the county of Flanders, present Zeeuws-Vlaanderen

• Staats-Limburg or Staats-Overmaas: several small territories between Maastricht and Aachen, a.o. Dalhem, Valkenburg and Hertogenrade. The city Maastricht was a condominium of the United Provinces and the Bishopric of Liège.

• Staats-Oppergelre: as a result of the Treaty of Utrecht (1713) a part of Spanish Guelders was ceded to the United Provinces, a.o. Venlo and Echt.

• Westerwolde and Wedde: the south-eastern part of the province of Groningen was a generality land between 1594 and 1619, after which it became a part of the province.

After the French occupation of the Southern Netherlands and the proclamation of the Batavian Republic in 1795 the Generality Lands ceased to exist. Staats-Brabant became a province of the Batavian Republic (Bataafs-Brabant). Staats-Vlaanderen became part of the French département Escaut. Staats-Limburg and Staats-Oppergelre became part of the French département Roer.