Brie (anc. Brigensis pagus or saltus), a former district of France, lying between the Seine and the Marne, and now contained in the departments of Aisne, Seine-et-Marne, Marne, and Seine-et-Oise. It was divided into Brie Fran-caise, which belonged to the government of lie de France, and Brie Champenoise, comprised in the government of Champagne. A third division once existed, called Brie Pouilleuse, comprising the environs of Chateau-Thierry; this was afterward incorporated with Brie Champenoise. The latter was the largest of the divisions, and had for its capital Meaux, the most important town in the whole district. Its chief wealth was in vineyards and pastures; and its butter and cheese are celebrated. Brie Francaise produced grain in great abundance, and was likewise a good grazing country. Its capital was Brie-Comte-Robert. Corbeil, one of its principal towns, was an independent earldom from 946 to 1122, when it was taken from Count Hugues du Puiset by Louis the Fat. In ancient times this district was partly covered by a vast forest, portions of which are still to be seen. It is believed by some to be the much disputed country of the Meldi, of whom Caesar makes mention.

It was subjugated by the Franks, and formed part of the kingdom of Neustria. In the 9th century it was ruled by its own counts, who took their title from Meaux, but are also styled counts of Brie. Herbert of Vermandois, one of these feudal lords, having obtained the county of Troyes or Champagne, in 968 united the two districts. Both passed to the crown in 1361.

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Bries (Hun. Brezno-Banya), a town of Hungary, in the county of Zolyom, on the Gran, 24 m. N. E. of Neusohl; pop. in 1870, 11,776, nearly all Slovaks. The inhabitants are chiefly engaged in agriculture and cattle breeding. The cheese of Bries is famous.