In fact, as the country has linked its fate with that of Europe overall, it has benefited greatly, boasting one of the highest per-capita income levels in Europe. Luxembourg history began in 963 AD, when a descendent of Charlemagne, Siegfried, built a castle on the cliff-top that is now the location of the newer part of Luxembourg City. A settlement was established around the castle, with the entire inhabited area eventually encircled by one of the most impenetrable fortresses to be found anywhere in Europe. Foreign sovereigns ruled Luxembourg for centuries, but finally the Congress of Vienna gave the territory of Luxembourg to William I of Orange-Nassau (King of the Netherlands). On 11 May 1867 Luxembourg’s territorial rights and its political autonomy were granted by the Treaty of London, confirming its independent status and statehood. The Duchy was also declared neutral in European political affairs, and it was agreed by the European powers of that time to protect the country’s neutral status. The House of Nassau has continued to rule the Grand Duchy since 1890, with the dynasty continuing today under the current Grand Duke Henn. Today, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has become a strong economic and political entity as an important member of the European Union. It was one of the EU’s founding members, and home to the first of the European Union institutions, established in 1953. | 
