'contrée' cf 'pays'

Question

In one of the examples 'this land' is referred to as 'cette contrée' rather than 'ce pays'

Le chevalier fut amené devant le roi de cette contrée par les gardes

Could you please explain this usage to me? Thank you

Maarten Kamp · Accepted Answer

Helen, 
the French is the origin language here - ‘ contrée ‘ can be synonymous with, but is not identical to ‘ pays ‘. 
It is the English sentence that is the translation, and the translator who chose ‘ this land ‘. 
 
The French sentence includes passé simple - it is formal, probably not modern and likely from a piece of literature, which is where you will most likely find ‘ contrée’ used. 
However, just as in English, there is rarely just 1 word for anything in French. 
 https://dictionnaire.lerobert.com/definition/contree
 https://dictionnaire.lerobert.com/definition/pays