Belgium is a country situated in Western Europe, surrounded by the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, and France.  Belgium plays a pivotal role in Joseph Conrad’s 1899 novella Heart of Darkness.  The period of time from 1789-1914 in Europe was dubbed the “long nineteenth century” by British historian, Eric Hobsbawm and refers to the idea that the period itself reflects changes that are integral to understanding it (Long Nineteenth Century).  Belgium became a monarchy in the early 19^th century, and following a revolution, began to fall under the influence of

Bronte may have used for Thornfield Hall (Eyre family lived here; Jane Eyre's tombstone; mad woman locked in attic).