Lys (department)


Lys was a department of the French First Republic and French First Empire in present-day Belgium. It was named after the river Lys. It was created on 1 October 1795, when the Austrian Netherlands and the Prince-Bishopric of Liège were officially annexed by the French Republic. Prior to this annexation, its territory was part of the County of Flanders. Its Chef-lieu was Bruges.
The department was subdivided into the following four arrondissements and cantons :
After Napoleon was defeated in 1814, the department became part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. Its territory corresponded perfectly with the present-day Belgian province of West Flanders.

Administration

Prefects

The Prefect was the highest state representative in the department.
Term startTerm endOffice holder
2 March 18009 February 1804François Marie Joseph Justin de Viry
9 February 180412 May 1808François Bernard de Chauvelin
30 November 181025 August 1811Pierre Amédée Vincent Joseph Marie Arborio-Biamino
25 August 181130 May 1814Jean François Soult

General Secretaries

The General Secretary was the deputy to the Prefect.
Term startTerm endOffice holder
2 March 180030 May 1814Auguste Henissart

Subprefects of Bruges

Until 1811, the Prefect also held the office of Subprefect of Bruges.
Term startTerm endOffice holder
14 January 181130 May 1814Delanghe