was imposed upon the Belgian provinces by order of the French [[Convention Nationale]] on 2 Brumaire Year II (23 October 1793). A number of towns lost their title of city.

At the time of Dutch rule and incorporation into the United Kingdom of the Netherlands (1815-1830), some towns recovered their city title. On 30 May 1825, a royal decree was published and included the list of the towns that were granted the title. Even with Belgian independence