Who is who at the princely Family de Ligne
One of the oldest Belgian noble families is without no doubt the House of Ligne. The family was named from the village of Ligne, located between Ath and Tournai (nowadays the Hainaut province of Belgium). Some Royal History At the time of the Crusades, the lords of Ligne belonged to the entourage of the Count of Hainaut. In the Battle of Bouvines, which took place in 1214, they were described as "great name and men of honour". Thierry de Ligne was mentioned than for the very first time. In 1544 Jacob of Ligne was granted by Emperor Charles V as Count of Ligne. On 20 March 1601 Lamoral I of Ligne received from Emperor Rudolf II the title prince of the Holy Roman Empire. This was granted for himself and for all his descendants both male and female. King Willem I of the Netherlands granted on 13 March 1816, Eugène of Ligne as prince for him and all his descendants. In 1923, King Albert I of Belgium granted Ernest of Ligne the right to use his old titles of Prince of Amb