Luxembourg was originally conquered by Julius Caesar and made part of the Frankish territories of the Roman Empire.  When the Roman Empire fell, the area was conquered by the Franks and became part of Charlemagne's Empire. The house of Luxembourg was formed in the 11th century and the area became part of the Holy Roman Empire, giving the empire four of it's leaders. In the 1400's the House of Burgundy took control of Luxembourg and thorough marriage and war the area was at one time a possession of the Hapsburgs, France, and Prussia. After Napoleon was defeated,  the area became a possession of William of Orange, who was the first to be called Grand Duke of Luxembourg, per the Congress of Vienna. In 1890, the Nassau family took the title of Grand Duke and still hold that title today. Luxembourg was occupied by the Germans during both world wars and at the conclusion of World War II became a founding member of the European Union. Today the country is a Constitutional Monarchy with the Grand Duke as it's head of state.