Historic region, central France.
Once part of Limousin , it was made a separate frontier countship (march) in the 10th century. During the 12th and 13th centuries it was divided into western and eastern halves. It was held by the Bourbons (13421435) and by the Armagnacs (143577). Confiscated by Francis I in 1527, it was granted to the widows of French kings (15741643). It was a province of France until the French Revolution .