The Principality of Stavelot-Malmedy was a small ecclesiastical principality located in what is now eastern Belgium. Established in the 8th century, it was ruled by the abbots of the monasteries of Stavelot and Malmedy. The principality was known for its rich cultural and religious heritage, as well as its strategic location in the Ardennes region. In 1795, the principality was annexed by the French Republic during the broader context of the French Revolutionary Wars. Following the defeat of Napoleon, the area became part of the newly formed United Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815. Today, the historical significance of Stavelot-Malmedy is recognized in the region's cultural identity.