Lys (, ) was a department of the French First Republic and French First Empire in present-day Belgium. It was named after the river Lys (Leie). 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 (as of 1812):
Bruges: Ardoye, Bruges (5 cantons), Ghistelles, Ostende, Ruysselede, Thielt and Thourout (2 cantons). Courtray: Avelghem, Courtray (4 cantons), Haerelbeke, Ingelmunster, Menin, Meulebeke, Moozeele, Oost-roosebeke and Roulers. Furnes: Dixmude, Furnes, Haeringhe and Nieuport. Ypres: Elverdinge, Hooglede, Messines, Pashendaele, Poperinghe, Wervicq and Ypres (2 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 holder2 March 18009 February 1804François Marie Joseph Justin de Viry9 February 180412 May 1808François Bernard de Chauvelin30 November 181025 August 1811Pierre Amédée Vincent Joseph Marie Arborio-Biamino25 August 181130 May 1814Jean François Soult
General Secretaries The General Secretary was the deputy to the Prefect. Term startTerm endOffice holder2 March 180030 May 1814Auguste Henissart
Subprefects of Bruges Until 1811, the Prefect also held the office of Subprefect of Bruges. Term startTerm endOffice holder14 January 181130 May 1814Delanghe
Subprefects of Courtray Term startTerm endOffice holder25 April 18003 May 1801Jean Baptiste De Burck3 May 18013 May 1802Constant3 May 180230 May 1814Antoine Alexis Joseph Picquet
Subprefects of Furnes Term startTerm endOffice holder25 April 18001 September 1801Van den Bussche1 September 18013 May 1802Antoine Alexis Joseph Picquet3 May 180225 March 1807Philippe Jacques Herwyn25 March 180721 September 1808Nicolas Charles Joseph Dubois21 September 18088 April 1813Delaëter8 April 181330 May 1814F. Heim
Subprefects of Ypres Term startTerm endOffice holder25 April 180030 May 1814Arnould Claude Gallois
References