The House of Hornes was an old and important European noble family, which became extinct in the male line in 1826. The name refers to Horn, a small village in Limburg, located in the Netherlands.
History
Lordship
Originally, the lordship (Heerlijkheid) of Hornes was a property of the Counts of Looz. The first mentioned is Willaume, Sire of Hornes around 1100, and Arnould, Count of Looz and Lord of Hornes and Corswarem, married to Aleydis van Diest.[1]
The principality was close to the Duchy of Cleves and Thorn, Netherlands. The Princes of Hornes held territory in what is now Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. In addition, in France they possessed the villages of Auchy-au-Bois and Lestrem from 1722 to 1766, and Floringhem from 1774 to 1789. Hornes became allied to France, and thus suffered during the French Revolution.
Lords of Hornes-Bassignies
A branch of the family became lords and sires of Baucigny, sometimes known since the 12th century as Bassigny, Beaucigny, Baucignies or Bussigny. Cadet descendants of the Lords of Bassignies were known as Hornes-Bassignies. Both cadets and Lords of Bassignies married into important noble houses. The influence of the family was guaranteed by a unique familial network.
Philippe I de Hornes, Lord of Bassignies and Gaesbeecq (1421-1488): married to Joanne de Lannoy.
Arnold de Hornes, Lord of Gaesbeecq (1460-1505): see section below.
Jean I de Hornes, Lord of Bassignies (1460-1521): married to Adrienne van Ranst, lady of Bocxtele.
Philippe de Hornes, Lord of Bassignies, Imperial Lord Chamberlain: married to Claire de Renesse.
Jean II de Hornes, Lord of Bassignies (1531-1606): married to Marie de St-Aldegonde (1535-1564).
Gerald de Hornes, 1st Count of Bassignies (1560-1612), Royal Chamberlain: married to Honorine de Witthem.
Ambroise de Hornes, 2nd Count of Bassignies (1609-1656): see section below.