I.

Introduction

Bourbon, name of a family of French origin, members of which became rulers of several European countries. The chief family seat was the castle and town of Bourbon, the first capital of the former province of Bourbonnais in central France. It is now the village of Bourbon-l'Archambault, in the Allier Department, about 24 km (15 mi) west of Moulins. The present name is derived from the name of an early Bourbon seigneur, Archambaud I (died c. 1034).