A small county of the Saintois, south of Nancy, round the hill-castle of Vaudemont above Sion and the little town of Vezelise.
A younger branch of the ducal house, vassals of the duke, but known for following their own policy; in 1202 the duke trades their homage to Bar.
Who he is
- Name
- Hugh II (Hugues II) in the standard lists
- Title
- Count of Vaudemont
- Since
- about 1188 in the standard lists
- Born
- not pinned
- Family
- Younger line of the house of Lorraine, from Gerard, brother of Duke Thierry II, given the Saintois in the late 11th century. His son Hugh III later marries Margaret of Bar.
- Confidence
- medium
fr.wikipedia Comte de Vaudemont gives no count for 1200; the name and dates come from standard lists and were not checked against a charter
Overlord
The duke of Lorraine until 1202, when Simon II cedes the overlordship to Theobald I of Bar.
What it holds
- Vaudemont castle on the hill of Sion
- Vezelise
- The villages of the Saintois
How it was acquired
Saintois given to Gerard, brother of Duke Thierry II, and raised to a county by Emperor Henry IV.
Allies and rivals
Kin and vassals of the duke; drawn toward Bar after 1202.
How things stand that morning
The count holds Vaudemont and the Saintois of the duke. Neighbours: the bishop of Toul's lands to the north-west, the ducal castles of Chatenois and Gondreville, the count of Luneville to the east.
Wealth
Grain and wine of the Saintois; rents and justice. No figures.
Military
Castle of Vaudemont. No numbers.
Threats
- Being bargained away between Lorraine and Bar.
What the year holds
What happened next, if nothing in play changes it. Each event carries what it depends on and what would stop it.
- 1202 (later course)Overlordship transferred from Lorraine to Bar.Depends on: The Lorraine-Bar succession bargain. Stopped by: War between them.
Places of note
- Castle of Vaudemont: Seat
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: The county and the 1202 transfer are attested; the count's name for 1200 is from standard lists only.
On the map: Extent of the Saintois is approximate.
Primary sources for Lorraine
Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.
- Chronicle of Alberic of Trois-Fontaines, Alberic of Trois-Fontaines (about 1227 to 1241, at the Cistercian abbey of Trois-Fontaines in Champagne). The widest net of any Latin chronicle for 1200, compiled from dozens of sources, many now lost. Read online
- Deeds of the archbishops of Trier, continuations (continuations written in the 13th century). The Trier house history for Archbishop John I (1190 to 1212), who held the Moselle between the two kings. Read online
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.