Busnes
Encyclopedia
Busnes is a commune
in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France
.
and 23 miles (37 km) west of Lille
, at the junction of the D916, D94 and the D187 roads.
bands, commissioned by Oudart of Renty
, sacked many of the neighbouring villages and particularly Busnes. The inhabitants took refuge in the church in order to protect themselves. The church was strengthened to make it more resilient to attacks.
In 1383, English troops pillaged and plundered the village, on their rampages during the Hundred Years War.
In 1519, the church was badly damaged and had to be rebuilt.
From 1537 to 1543, during the time of wars of religion and again in 1655, the Spanish and French came in their turn, causing fires and terrible destruction.
During revolutionary turmoil in 1793, demagogues from Saint-Venant
decided to come to Busnes to burn the statues of the Saints in the church. The patriots of Busnes resisted valiantly and thus prevented further destruction.
During the French Revolution
, the church was sold and became a public building, which, in turn, served as a club, dance hall and gunpowder
factory.
It was not until February 20, 1802 that it again became a place of worship.
The church, which over the centuries had been badly burned and repaired, was finally demolished in 1870. Construction of the new church started in the following years.
The village was awarded the Croix de Guerre
after World War I
.
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Geography
A farming village some 8 miles (12.9 km) northwest of BéthuneBéthune
Béthune is a city in northern France, sub-prefecture of the Pas-de-Calais department.-Geography:Béthune is located in the former province of Artois. It is situated South-East of Calais, West of Lille, and North of Paris.-Landmarks:...
and 23 miles (37 km) west of Lille
Lille
Lille is a city in northern France . It is the principal city of the Lille Métropole, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country behind those of Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Lille is situated on the Deûle River, near France's border with Belgium...
, at the junction of the D916, D94 and the D187 roads.
History
In 1346, in retaliation for having besieged the town of Bethune, FlemishCounty of Flanders
The County of Flanders was one of the territories constituting the Low Countries. The county existed from 862 to 1795. It was one of the original secular fiefs of France and for centuries was one of the most affluent regions in Europe....
bands, commissioned by Oudart of Renty
Renty
Renty is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:Renty lies about 13 miles southwest of Saint-Omer, on the D129 road, by the banks of the river Aa.-Population:-Places of interest:...
, sacked many of the neighbouring villages and particularly Busnes. The inhabitants took refuge in the church in order to protect themselves. The church was strengthened to make it more resilient to attacks.
In 1383, English troops pillaged and plundered the village, on their rampages during the Hundred Years War.
In 1519, the church was badly damaged and had to be rebuilt.
From 1537 to 1543, during the time of wars of religion and again in 1655, the Spanish and French came in their turn, causing fires and terrible destruction.
During revolutionary turmoil in 1793, demagogues from Saint-Venant
Saint-Venant
Saint-Venant is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:Saint-Venant is situated some northwest of Béthune and west of Lille, at the junction of the D186 and D916 roads and by the banks of the Lys River.-Population:-Places of interest:* The...
decided to come to Busnes to burn the statues of the Saints in the church. The patriots of Busnes resisted valiantly and thus prevented further destruction.
During the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, the church was sold and became a public building, which, in turn, served as a club, dance hall and gunpowder
Gunpowder
Gunpowder, also known since in the late 19th century as black powder, was the first chemical explosive and the only one known until the mid 1800s. It is a mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate - with the sulfur and charcoal acting as fuels, while the saltpeter works as an oxidizer...
factory.
It was not until February 20, 1802 that it again became a place of worship.
The church, which over the centuries had been badly burned and repaired, was finally demolished in 1870. Construction of the new church started in the following years.
The village was awarded the Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
after World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Population
Places of interest
- The church of St.Paul, dating from the nineteenth century.
- The chateau of Beaulieu.
- The chateau of Quesnoy, dating from the seventeenth century.
- The Commonwealth War Graves CommissionCommonwealth War Graves CommissionThe Commonwealth War Graves Commission is an intergovernmental organisation of six independent member states whose principal function is to mark, record and maintain the graves, and places of commemoration, of Commonwealth of Nations military service members who died in the two World Wars...
cemetery. - The war memorial.
Famous residents
- Busnes may be the origin of the surname of the composer Antoine BusnoisAntoine BusnoisAntoine Busnois was a French composer and poet of the early Renaissance Burgundian School. While also noted as a composer of sacred music, such as motets, he was one of the most renowned 15th-century composers of secular chansons...
, who is known to have come from the area.
