Eaucourt-sur-Somme
Encyclopedia
Eaucourt-sur-Somme is a commune
in the Somme
department in Picardie in northern France
.
on the D901 and by the banks of the river.
The town of Eaucourt-sur-Somme appears to have been founded in the 7th or 8th century as part of the possessions of the Abbey of St Riquier. By usurpation, or by concession, Eaucourt passed into the hands of the lords of the Ferté, at that time, the Châtillons family.
The castle was first constructed in the 13th century, since the diocesan Pouillé of 1301 talks about the chapel of Saint Margherite and the castle. He called it "Aqua curte".
The castle construction was carried out by the lords of the Ferté in response to the wishes of King Philippe II (Augustus)
(1165–1223) to fortify towns in order to defend the newly conquered territory.
Around 1358, during the imprisonment of King John the Good of France, municipal troops of Abbeville demolished the castle to prevent the English any means to establish themselves in the region. Rebuilt soon after, in 1420, by Simon of Boulainvilliers, it was subsequently fought over by the kings of France and England (and the Burgundians) and left in ruins.
The castle was rebuilt in 1436 by John of Eaucourt, who chose to live here. 4 years later it was pillaged by Pierre Renaud of Vignolles in 1440, who put the lord of Eaucourt to ransom.
In 1575, the seigneurie of Eaucourt was held by Françoise of Soyecourt.
In 1589, during the French Wars of Religion
, the leaguers of Abbeville attacked the troops of King Henry IV of France
and took possession of the castle.
In 1700, the seigneurie of Eaucourt was held by the Dame of Belleforière-Soyecourt.
In 1755, by Joachim-Charles de Seiglière de Belleforière.
In 1777, by François Valliant, knight, who bought the castle and lived there until 1779. This is the last time anyone used it as a home.
In 1983, Damien Maupin founded the Association for the Restoration of the Chateau d’Eaucourt (ARCH) and organized the first restoration work.
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 Somme
Somme
Somme is a department of France, located in the north of the country and named after the Somme river. It is part of the Picardy region of France....
department in Picardie in northern 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
The commune is situated 4 miles (6 km) southeast of AbbevilleAbbeville
Abbeville is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Location:Abbeville is located on the Somme River, from its modern mouth in the English Channel, and northwest of Amiens...
on the D901 and by the banks of the river.
History
The etymology of the name "Eaucourt". One of many towns in Picardie where the name ends in ‘court’. This dates back to the Middle Ages, when a manor was enlarged by the building of smaller houses around it in a ‘court’. ‘Eau’ is ‘water’.The town of Eaucourt-sur-Somme appears to have been founded in the 7th or 8th century as part of the possessions of the Abbey of St Riquier. By usurpation, or by concession, Eaucourt passed into the hands of the lords of the Ferté, at that time, the Châtillons family.
The castle was first constructed in the 13th century, since the diocesan Pouillé of 1301 talks about the chapel of Saint Margherite and the castle. He called it "Aqua curte".
The castle construction was carried out by the lords of the Ferté in response to the wishes of King Philippe II (Augustus)
Philip II of France
Philip II Augustus was the King of France from 1180 until his death. A member of the House of Capet, Philip Augustus was born at Gonesse in the Val-d'Oise, the son of Louis VII and his third wife, Adela of Champagne...
(1165–1223) to fortify towns in order to defend the newly conquered territory.
Around 1358, during the imprisonment of King John the Good of France, municipal troops of Abbeville demolished the castle to prevent the English any means to establish themselves in the region. Rebuilt soon after, in 1420, by Simon of Boulainvilliers, it was subsequently fought over by the kings of France and England (and the Burgundians) and left in ruins.
The castle was rebuilt in 1436 by John of Eaucourt, who chose to live here. 4 years later it was pillaged by Pierre Renaud of Vignolles in 1440, who put the lord of Eaucourt to ransom.
In 1575, the seigneurie of Eaucourt was held by Françoise of Soyecourt.
In 1589, during the French Wars of Religion
French Wars of Religion
The French Wars of Religion is the name given to a period of civil infighting and military operations, primarily fought between French Catholics and Protestants . The conflict involved the factional disputes between the aristocratic houses of France, such as the House of Bourbon and House of Guise...
, the leaguers of Abbeville attacked the troops of King Henry IV of France
Henry IV of France
Henry IV , Henri-Quatre, was King of France from 1589 to 1610 and King of Navarre from 1572 to 1610. He was the first monarch of the Bourbon branch of the Capetian dynasty in France....
and took possession of the castle.
In 1700, the seigneurie of Eaucourt was held by the Dame of Belleforière-Soyecourt.
In 1755, by Joachim-Charles de Seiglière de Belleforière.
In 1777, by François Valliant, knight, who bought the castle and lived there until 1779. This is the last time anyone used it as a home.
In 1983, Damien Maupin founded the Association for the Restoration of the Chateau d’Eaucourt (ARCH) and organized the first restoration work.
Personalities
- Henri Sannier, the mayor, is also a well-known French television sports reporter.