County of Ferrette

The County of Ferrette was a feudal jurisdiction in Alsace during the Middle Ages and early modern period, corresponding to regions like Sundgau. It included lordships such as Ferrette, Altkirch, Thann, Belfort, and Rougemont, forming a patchwork under the Holy Roman Empire. Emerging in the 12th century from the pagus of Elsgau alongside Montbéliard, it was Francophone.

In the late Middle Ages, Ferrette was the westernmost Habsburg possession within Further Austria, bordering Burgundy. Dukes of Valois sought to acquire it, starting with Philip the Bold's marriage negotiations. Leopold IV married Catherine in 1387, granting her the county by 1403. Upon his death, Frederick IV seized control, leading to disputes with Catherine, who claimed the entire county despite only retaining Belfort.

Philip the Good attempted negotiations and minor hostilities, capturing Belfort in 1431 but securing a truce and peace treaty by 1432. He later bought Margaret's claim in 1434. In 1469, Sigismund mortgaged Ferrette to Charles of Burgundy for a loan, likely detaching it from Habsburg control. The county was ruled by various houses: Scarponnois until the Habsburgs took over, followed by Valois and returning to Habsburg rule post-1477.