War,
State and Society in Liège is a
fascinating case study of the consequences of war in the Prince-Bishopric of Liège
and touches upon wider issues in early modern history, such as small power
diplomacy in the seventeenth century and during the Nine Years’ War.
For centuries, the small semi-independent Holy Roman Principality
of Liège succeeded in preserving a non-belligerent role in European conflicts. During
the Nine Years’ War (1688–1697), however, Liège’s leaders had to abolish the
practice of neutrality. For the first time in its early modern history, the
Prince-Bishopric had to raise a regular army, reconstruct ruined defence
structures, and supply army contributions in both money and material.
The issues under
discussion in War, State and Society in
Liège offer the reader insight into how Liège politically protected its powerful
institutions and how the local elite tried to influence the interplay between
domestic and external diplomatic relationships.
This publication is GPRC-labeled (Guaranteed Peer Review Content).
(source: Leuven University Press)