Ledringhem
Encyclopedia
Place names
The village center consists of the main square (La Place), the church, the cemetery, the town's hall and the village park, forming an islet nested in a large turn of the route de Wormhout.There are two subdivison
Subdivision (land)
Subdivision is the act of dividing land into pieces that are easier to sell or otherwise develop, usually via a plat. The former single piece as a whole is then known in the United States as a subdivision...
s:
- La campagnarde is a more modern part of the village in comparison with the rest of the built patrimony, situated in the west.
- Another modern neighborough dating 2005 is situated at the former place of the village windmill, destroyed during World War II, at the east. The newly built road serving this neighborhood is called route du moulin (wind mill road).
Other locations (Lieux-dits
Lieu-dit
Lieu-dit is a French toponymic term referring to an uninhabited place yet bearing a name...
) are called Bas de la Plaine, La Belette, La Butte, La Motte, La Plaine, La Potence, Le Baron, Les Grenouilles, Les Tambours, Oost Houck (coin de l'Est), Planckeel (Planckael), Sainte Anne, Tampon court and Zinkepit.
Ledringhem is situated on the D55 road (actually called route de Wormhout towards Wormhout in the North-East direction and route d'Arneke
Arnèke
Arnèke is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.-Heraldry:-Geography:Arnèke is situated on the D55 . The small river Peene Becque is flowing through the village. The village eastern limit with Ledringhem is voie romaine and southern limit is Peene Becque.-References:*...
in the West direction).
Other smaller roads include rue Henri Wallaert, chemin d'Esquelbecq
Esquelbecq
- History :In 1436, Wautier de Ghistelles was seigneur d'Ekelsbeke et de Ledringhem and governor of La Madeleine hospital in Bierne.- References :*...
, petit chemin d'Esquelbecq (north directions), chemin de Bodeye, chemin de la chapelle, chemin de la pâture grasse, chemin de Steenvoorde, chemin des postes, chemin des prairies, chemin d'Heenhout, chemin du moulin, chemin du tétard borne and voie nouvelle.
The village is a little off the ancient Roman road, now D52, roughly North-South in direction.
Heraldry
Naming and first appearances in texts
The current name "Ledringhem" could be of FrankishFranks
The Franks were a confederation of Germanic tribes first attested in the third century AD as living north and east of the Lower Rhine River. From the third to fifth centuries some Franks raided Roman territory while other Franks joined the Roman troops in Gaul. Only the Salian Franks formed a...
origin, with the hem particle meaning "Home" (cf: in other languages heim/ham)" and Ledring being the genitive form of Leodro, a common given name at the time, who could have been a local chief.
Another explanation for the name etymology is Liuthari|ing|haim = home of Luithari's people.
Another explanation is that the name comes from the Latin form (Ledera) of the name of a local brook called the Leder. This explanation, given in tome II, page 572 of Flandria Illustrata
Flandria Illustrata
Flandria Illustrata is a historiographical and cartographic work from 1641 by the Flemish canon Anton Sander . It contains descriptions of the main towns and villages of the former county of Flanders, in addition to a description of its digging and bishops. Often a map or drawing of a city or...
(1641), and though doubtfull, is also provided for the name of nearby village Lederzeele
Lederzeele
Lederzeele is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.It is northeast of Saint-Omer.-Heraldry:-References:*...
. It comes from Sanderus
Anton Sander
Anton Sander was a Flemish Catholic cleric and historian.-Biography:Having become master of philosophy at the University of Douai in 1609, he studied theology for some years under Malderus at the Catholic University of Leuven, and Willem Hessels van Est at Douai, and was ordained priest at...
(1586-1664) who wrote, citing Malbrancq, : Lederam pluribus ab ortu suo pagis nomem commuicantem.
For Anglo-Saxon history specialist Daniel Henry Haigh
Daniel Henry Haigh
Daniel Henry Haigh was a noted Victorian scholar of Anglo-Saxon history and literature, as well as a runologist and numismatist.-Biography:...
(1819—1879), the village could share a common toponymy with the civil parish of Letheringham
Letheringham
Letheringham is a sparsely populated civil parish in the Suffolk Coastal in Suffolk, England, on the Deben River.-Sights:St Mary is a tiny church, the remains of the tower and nave of a Priory church, and sits in a farmyard...
in Suffolk, England.
723 : « Leodringas mansiones infra Mempisco » in the Latin-written saint Bertin
Abbey of Saint Bertin
The Abbey of St. Bertin was a Benedictine abbey in Saint-Omer, France, now in ruins and open to the public...
's carticulary in the first part attributed to Folquin (or Saint Folquin, died 14 December 855 in Esquelbeques). This text relates a sale act written in 723 where the names given are Leodringas mansiones or Leodringae mansiones. It is thought that Leodringas is a Latin form of Ledring while mansio
Mansio
In the Roman Empire, a mansio was an official stopping place on a Roman road, or via, maintained by the central government for the use of officials and those on official business whilst travelling.-Background:The roads which traversed the Ancient World, were later surveyed,...
nes were official stopping places on a Roman road and Mempisco refers to the Pagus
Pagus
In the later Western Roman Empire, following the reorganization of Diocletian, a pagus became the smallest administrative district of a province....
Mempiscus, an administrative subdivision in the territory of the Flanders at the time. In this sale act, the owner, who is described as having a considerable wealth, was named Rigobert, whereas the buyer was Sitdiu's (Saint-Omer) abbot.
1207 : « Lidringhere » in titre de l'abbaye de Blandecques (Mir.)
1330 : « Ledringhien » in manuscrit de la bataille de Cassel
1614-1616 : « Leodredingas » as an alternative form of the Latin name Leodringas by Locrius (Ferreolus or Philippus) in Chronicum belgicum (Chronicon belgicum, ab anno CCLVIII ad annum usque M.D.C. continuo perductum.) Atrecht
1639 : « Leodringas » in Jacques Malbrancq
Jacques Malbrancq
Jacques Malbrancq or Malbrancque, also known as Jacobus Malbrancq or Jacobi Malbrancq , Father, Audomarensis, e Societate Jesu, was a Jesuit priest in the Southern Netherlands, professor and preacher at Saint-Omer Jesuit college...
's De Morinis et Morinorum rebus, sylvis, paludibus, oppidis, regia comitum prosapia ac territoriis, Tomus Primus, ab anno ante Christum 309 ad annum eiusdem 751, Tornaci Nerviorum, 1639
1645 : « Leregem » on Joan Blaeu
Joan Blaeu
Joan Blaeu was a Dutch cartographer.He was born in Alkmaar, the son of cartographer Willem Blaeu.In 1620 he became a doctor of law but he joined the work of his father. In 1635 they published the Atlas Novus in two volumes...
's map Artesia Comitatus Artois.
1757 : « Ledrenghem » on the 14th sheet of Cassini
César-François Cassini de Thury
César-François Cassini de Thury , also called Cassini III or Cassini de Thury, was a French astronomer and cartographer.- Biography :...
's map, the village is pictured as a parish with a wooden wind mill.
Gaulish times
The village could have been occupied since Gaulish times. At that time, the village territory was dry land (or moorland), to the contrary of other territories which were underwater, in the "plaine maritime" (polder region of Les MoëresLes Moëres
De Moeren or Les Moëres are a marshy region in the Westhoek, politically divided between the French-Belgian border. At one time the area was inhabited by the Gallic people known as the Morini; they are believed to have lent their name to the territory.For many centuries, beginning around 800,...
) part of the French Flandre.
The nearby presence of a Roman road (now voie romaine - D52) from Cassel and leading to the sea could have been a reason for an early settlement. This road could have preceded the Romans.
1852 Ledringhem's treasure discovery
As a proof of possible gaulish origins, a hoard
Hoard
In archaeology, a hoard is a collection of valuable objects or artifacts, sometimes purposely buried in the ground. This would usually be with the intention of later recovery by the hoarder; hoarders sometimes died before retrieving the hoard, and these surviving hoards may be uncovered by...
was discovered in 1852 in Ledringhem. This treasure has been estimated by Jérémie Landron (1840–1904), a pharmacist-chemist-gold-and-silver assayer
Assayer
An assayer is a person who tests ores and minerals and analyzes them to determine their composition and value. They may use spectrographic analysis, chemical solutions, and chemical or laboratory equipment, such as furnaces, beakers, graduates, pipettes, and crucibles.An assayer separates metals...
, to be composed with 35 000 golden small coins
Celtic coinage
Celtic coinage refers to the coins minted by the Celts from the late 4th century BC to the late 1st century BC. Celtic coinage was influenced by trade with and the supply of mercenaries to the Greeks, and initially copied Greek designs, especially Macedonian coins from the time of Philip II of...
, described as stater
Stater
The stater was an ancient coin used in various regions of Greece.-History:The stater is mostly of Macedonian origin. Celtic tribes brought it in to Europe after using it as mercenaries in north Greece. It circulated from the 8th century BC to 50 AD...
s, and locally known as Ledringhem's buttons (boutons de Ledringhem).
The coins were retrieved in a 18 liters vase, that has been lost, by two workers cleaning a farm cesspit of the Mormentyn farm. Each coin was 18 mm wide and weighed approximately 6 grams.
Half of the coins were reddish, color due to a higher richness in copper in the gold-silver-copper alloy, the remaining coins being yellow-white-colored. They presented a running wild horse representation on one of the two faces.
It has been hypothesized that this treasure could have been hidden underground and never been recovered by its Morini
Morini
The Morini were a Belgic tribe in the time of the Roman Empire. We know little about their language but one of their cities, Boulogne-sur-Mer was called Bononia by Zosimus and Bonen in the Middle Ages. Zosimus mentioned the Low Germanic character of the city...
or Menapian owners, during troubled times like during the Gallic Wars
Gallic Wars
The Gallic Wars were a series of military campaigns waged by the Roman proconsul Julius Caesar against several Gallic tribes. They lasted from 58 BC to 51 BC. The Gallic Wars culminated in the decisive Battle of Alesia in 52 BC, in which a complete Roman victory resulted in the expansion of the...
.
Roman time
Julius CaesarJulius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman and a distinguished writer of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the gradual transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire....
conquered the Belgae
Belgae
The Belgae were a group of tribes living in northern Gaul, on the west bank of the Rhine, in the 3rd century BC, and later also in Britain, and possibly even Ireland...
, beginning in 57 BC. He marched into the territory of the Suessiones and besieged the town of Noviodunum (Soissons). Seeing the Romans' siege engines, the Suessiones surrendered, whereupon Caesar turned his attention to the Bellovaci, who had retreated into the fortress of Bratuspantium (between modern Amiens and Beauvais). They quickly surrendered, as did the Ambiani.
The Nervii
Nervii
The Nervii were an ancient Germanic tribe, and one of the most powerful Belgic tribes; living in the northeastern hinterlands of Gaul, they were known to trek long distances to engage in various wars and functions...
, along with the Atrebates and Viromandui, decided to fight (the Atuatuci had also agreed to join them but had not yet arrived). They concealed themselves in the forests and attacked the approaching Roman column at the river Sabis
Battle of the Sabis
The Battle of the Sabis, also known as the Battle of the Sambre or the Battle against the Nervians , was fought in 57 BC in the area known today as Wallonia, between the legions of the Roman Republic and an association of Belgic tribes, principally the Nervii...
(previously thought to be the Sambre but recently the Selle is thought to be more probable). Their attack was quick and unexpected. The element of surprise briefly left the Romans exposed. Some of the Romans did not have time to take the covers off their shields or to even put on their helmets. However Caesar grabbed a shield, made his way to the front line, and quickly organised his forces. The two Roman legions guarding the baggage train at the rear finally arrived and helped to turn the tide of the battle. Caesar says the Nervii were almost annihilated in the battle, and is effusive in his tribute to their bravery, calling them "heroes".
The Atuatuci, who were marching to their aid, turned back on hearing of the defeat and retreated to one stronghold, were put under siege, and soon surrendered and handed over their arms. However the surrender was a ploy, and the Atuatuci, armed with weapons they had hidden, tried to break out during the night. The Romans had the advantage of position and killed four thousand. The rest, about fifty-three thousand, were sold into slavery.
In 53 BC the Eburones, led by Ambiorix, along with the Nervii
Nervii
The Nervii were an ancient Germanic tribe, and one of the most powerful Belgic tribes; living in the northeastern hinterlands of Gaul, they were known to trek long distances to engage in various wars and functions...
, Menapii
Menapii
The Menapii were a Belgic tribe of northern Gaul in pre-Roman and Roman times. Their territory according to Strabo, Caesar and Ptolemy stretched from the mouth of the Rhine in the north, and southwards along the west of the Schelde. Their civitas under the Roman empire was Cassel , near Thérouanne...
and Morini
Morini
The Morini were a Belgic tribe in the time of the Roman Empire. We know little about their language but one of their cities, Boulogne-sur-Mer was called Bononia by Zosimus and Bonen in the Middle Ages. Zosimus mentioned the Low Germanic character of the city...
, revolted again and wiped out 15 cohorts, only to be put down by Caesar.
The Belgae
Belgae
The Belgae were a group of tribes living in northern Gaul, on the west bank of the Rhine, in the 3rd century BC, and later also in Britain, and possibly even Ireland...
fought in the uprising of Vercingetorix in 52 BC.
The Menapii again rebelled along with their neighbours, the Morini, in 30 or 29 BC. The Roman governor of Gaul, Gaius Carrinas
Gaius Carrinas (consul 43 BC)
Gaius Carrinas, was a Roman politician, general and consul.In 45 BC, Carrinas was sent on the orders of Julius Caesar to Spain to fight Sextus and Gnaeus Pompeius. As he was unsuccessful in putting down the two Pompeii and the last remnants of the Republicans, he was superseded by Gaius Asinius...
, successfully quelled the rebellion and the territory of the Menapii was subsequently absorbed into the Roman province of Gallia Belgica
Gallia Belgica
Gallia Belgica was a Roman province located in what is now the southern part of the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, northeastern France, and western Germany. The indigenous population of Gallia Belgica, the Belgae, consisted of a mixture of Celtic and Germanic tribes...
.
After their final subjugation, Caesar combined the three parts of Gaul, the territory of the Belgae, Celtae and Aquitani, into a single unwieldy province (Gallia Comata, "long-haired Gaul") that was reorganized by the emperor Augustus into its traditional cultural divisions. The population was partially romanised from the 1st to 3rd century.
Frankish Empire
In Gaul, the FranksFranks
The Franks were a confederation of Germanic tribes first attested in the third century AD as living north and east of the Lower Rhine River. From the third to fifth centuries some Franks raided Roman territory while other Franks joined the Roman troops in Gaul. Only the Salian Franks formed a...
, a fusion of western Germanic tribes whose leaders had been strongly aligned with Rome since the 3rd century, subsequently entered Roman lands more gradually and peacefully during the 5th century, and were generally endured as rulers by the Roman-Gaulish population.
The current territory of the village of Ledringhem was part of Francia, the territory held by Franks, in 481. It became part of West Francia in 843, and more accurately part of Neustria
Neustria
The territory of Neustria or Neustrasia, meaning "new [western] land", originated in 511, made up of the regions from Aquitaine to the English Channel, approximating most of the north of present-day France, with Paris and Soissons as its main cities...
.
From 830 until around 910, the Viking
Viking
The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...
s invaded Flanders. After the destruction caused by Norman and Magyar
Magyar
Magyar may refer to:* A nation and an ethnic group native to and primarily associated with Hungarian people* The Hungarian language,...
invasion, the eastern part of the region fell under the eyes of the area's princes.
Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages, Ledringhem was one the 6 fiefs in the BerguesBergues
Bergues is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.It is situated to the south of Dunkirk and from the Belgian border. Locally it is referred to as "the other Bruges in Flanders"...
fiefdom, composed out of 24 villages. under the jurisdiction of Counts of Flandres
County 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....
. Esquelbecques and Ledringhem were parts of the same fief, but both villages had their own town magistrates.
From 1323 to 1328 people from Ledringhem took part to the peasant revolt in Flanders and five of them died in 1328 during the Battle of Cassel
Battle of Cassel (1328)
The Battle of Cassel was fought on 23 August 1328 by Philip VI, the King of France, and first ruler of House of Valois , against the peasant revolt in Flanders, led by Nicolaas Zannekin. The battle took place near the city of Cassel, 30 km south of Dunkirk in present-day France...
.
In 1436, Wautier de Ghistelles was seigneur d'Ekelsbeke et de Ledringhem (Lord of Esquelbecq and Ledringhem) and governor of La Madeleine hospital in Bierne
Bierne
- History :In 1436, Wautier de Ghistelles was seigneur d'Ekelsbeke et de Ledringhem and governor of La Madeleine hospital in Bierne.- References :*...
.
Habsburg Netherlands
Ledringhem was part of the Habsburg NetherlandsHabsburg Netherlands
The Habsburg Netherlands was a geo-political entity covering the whole of the Low Countries from 1482 to 1556/1581 and solely the Southern Netherlands from 1581 to 1794...
(1482 to 1556/1581).
During the Dutch Reformation Beeldenstorm
Beeldenstorm
Beeldenstorm in Dutch, roughly translatable to "statue storm", or Bildersturm in German , also the Iconoclastic Fury, is a term used for outbreaks of destruction of religious images that occurred in Europe in the 16th century...
iconoclasm movement, an episode took place in Ledringhem on Friday 16 August 1566. A depiction of the events is given in:
Jan de Druck was a busy iconoclast. He participated in attacks in Broxeele, Eecke, North and South Berkijn, and Ledringhem, for which he was condemned to death on october 28, 1567, by Alba's special law court, the council of TroublesCouncil of TroublesThe Council of Troubles was the special tribunal instituted on September 9, 1567 by Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, 3rd Duke of Alba, governor-general of the Habsburg Netherlands on the orders of Philip II of Spain to punish the ringleaders of the recent political and religious "troubles" in the...
. His crimes centrered on destruction of religious art and objects in parish churches in mid-August 1566: ... He also ransacked several altars at Ledringhem, stealing money amounting to 3 or 4 Parisian pounds and intended "for common devotion." ... Druck's deeds mirror those of other individuals and small groups; at Ledringhem, on September 10, a crowd of about thirty-two seized the priest's house, eating and drinking heartily before they settled down for the night there. Refreshed, the next morning they sacked the local parish church, destroying four altars. They scattered for the balance of the day, some going to Ekelsbeke, other to Arnèke, both sets listening to sermons, only to return at nightfall, this time to the chaplain's house,where they had something to eat and pocketed four candles. Afterward, they randomly searched private houses looking for objects the churchwardens might have hidden, or domestic altars or shrines. The next morning, they continued their efforts, overturning basins of holy oil, smashing up more altars, and shredding the priest's and chaplains's books. As a parting shot, they derisively cut up the chaplain's bonnet.
Spanish Netherlands period
Southern Netherlands
Southern Netherlands were a part of the Low Countries controlled by Spain , Austria and annexed by France...
(Dutch: Zuidelijke Nederlanden, Spanish: Países Bajos del Sur, French: Pays-Bas du sud), a part of the Low Countries controlled by Spain (Spanish Netherlands, 1579–1713), then by Austria after the signing of the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 (Austrian Netherlands, 1713–1794).
From February to May 1638, a plague episode made victims in Ledringhem.
French annexation
Parts of Flanders became a French possession following the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1668, ending the War of DevolutionWar of Devolution
The War of Devolution saw Louis XIV's French armies overrun the Habsburg-controlled Spanish Netherlands and the Franche-Comté, but forced to give most of it back by a Triple Alliance of England, Sweden, and the Dutch Republic in the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle.-Background:Louis's claims to the...
(1667–1668) which saw Louis XIV's French armies overrun the Habsburg-controlled Spanish Netherlands. With the fall of the fortresses of Bergues (6 June 1667), Louis XIV took hold of Ledringhem, part of the Châtellenie.
French Revolution
After the French Revolution, French rule has been secured with revolutionary victory in the Battle of HondshooteBattle of Hondshoote (1793)
The Battle of Hondschoote took place during the Flanders Campaign of the Campaign of 1793 in the French Revolutionary Wars. It was fought during operations surrounding the Siege of Dunkirk between 6 and 8 September 1793 at Hondschoote, Nord, France, and resulted in a French victory under General...
in 1793 against English and Austrian troops wanting to get hold of Dunkirk port.
In 1794 the entire region of the Spanish/Austrian Netherlands was overrun by France ending the existence of this territory as such. This was resisted by the Flamingant
Flamingant
The Dutch and French word flamingant refers to all activists of the Flemish movement and was initially used as a pejorative term by Belgicists to indicate nationalist Flemish people. It may be derived from Flamins, the Walloon word for Flemings. The word can be equally used as an adjective or...
movement organized by Roman Catholic clergy. Austria confirmed the loss of its territories by the Treaty of Campo Formio
Treaty of Campo Formio
The Treaty of Campo Formio was signed on 18 October 1797 by Napoleon Bonaparte and Count Philipp von Cobenzl as representatives of revolutionary France and the Austrian monarchy...
, in 1797.
Henri-Louis de Guernoval, marquis d'Esquelbecq (1729–1801) (marquis de Ledringhem), captain in second of Louis XIV Royal-Cravattes regiment was the last of the nobility member to administer Ledringhem.
First French Empire
Ledringhem became part of the First French EmpireFirst French Empire
The First French Empire , also known as the Greater French Empire or Napoleonic Empire, was the empire of Napoleon I of France...
1810 Napoleonic Nord département.
World wars
Shrapnel, like canon shells and bullet casings can still be found in and around the fields here. They are usually found by farmers ploughing, and date back to World Wars.World War I :
German Schlieffen Plan in 1914 was to invade Belgium to better attack France to the north.
Thus, at the beginning, the war was a mobility war. At that time, British horse-riding 20th Hussars were in Ledringhem the 7th of May 1915.
As the war turned into a trenches war with the front established to the east near Ypres, Ledringhem served as a resting and training place (billet) to the rear for the 1st Royal Marine Battalion from the 14th to the 22nd November 1917.
World War II :
A violent battle took place in Ledringhem during the Battle of France in May 1940, which involved British soldiers against German troops. On the 27th to the 29th of May 1940, the British 5th Glosters got separated from the rest of the British forces in Ledringhem and became involved in fierce combats against motorized German troops. Several casualties among the British soldiers, including officers and also French civilians, occurred during the fight. Nevertheless, the village was never conquered by the Germans at that time, and finally the British escaped to embark in Dunkirk evacuation during Operation Dynamo
Operation Dynamo
The Dunkirk evacuation, commonly known as the Miracle of Dunkirk, code-named Operation Dynamo by the British, was the evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk, France, between 26 May and the early hours of 3 June 1940, because the British, French and Belgian troops were...
. There is a Military Cemetery located at the site of the battle.
Other casualties were made by Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler by killing prisoners gathered in a barn at La Plaine au Bois in Wormhoudt
Wormhout
Wormhout is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.The town's name is of Germanic origin.Neighbouring towns and villages :*Ledringhem to the south-west, separated by river Peene Becque*Esquelbecq-Heraldry:...
on Tuesday May 28, 1940.
Also during that period, the windmill in Ledringhem has been burnt down. The head of the windmill served to repair the Drievenmeulen in Steenvoorde
Steenvoorde
Steenvoorde is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. The Beeldenstorm iconoclasm started in Steenvoorde. Steenvoorde is a city of the giants -Heraldry:-References:* -External links:*...
.
After the 1940 defeat, Belgium and Northern France were put under Nazi Germany control. The structure remained in existence until July 1944.
War monuments
The French Monument to the Deads (Monument aux Morts) presents 25 names, 15 of which being French soldiers killed during the first World War, the other ten being civilian victims during World War II. It is situated in the cemetery near the church.In the British military part of the cemetery containing 52 graves, there is a Cross of Sacrifice
Cross of Sacrifice
The Cross of Sacrifice was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield for the Imperial War Graves Commission and is usually present in Commonwealth war cemeteries containing 40 or more graves. It is normally a freestanding four point limestone Latin cross in one of three sizes ranging in height from 18 to...
.
Administration
Town hall :.Mayors :
- Christian Delassus : 2001-2008, 2008–2014
- Christian Deblock
Ledringhem doesn't participate in a twinnage program with a foreign country municipality.
Transportation
There is a bus stop, for pupils to go to collège in Wormhout, or the high school in Hazebrouck, or to go to Wormhout.The nearest train stations are in Arnèke
Arnèke
Arnèke is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.-Heraldry:-Geography:Arnèke is situated on the D55 . The small river Peene Becque is flowing through the village. The village eastern limit with Ledringhem is voie romaine and southern limit is Peene Becque.-References:*...
and Esquelbecq
Esquelbecq
- History :In 1436, Wautier de Ghistelles was seigneur d'Ekelsbeke et de Ledringhem and governor of La Madeleine hospital in Bierne.- References :*...
.
Accommodations
There is a municipal school in Ledringhem, a multi-sport stadium and a feasting hall (salle des fêtes).There is le Trou Flamand estaminet (Flemish-style café-restaurant) which is also a general store situated on the main square and the inn Auberge Du Kok-smid situated along route de Wormhout.
Economy
The village main resources are agriculture productions. These include cereals (wheat, barley, oat), flax, fodder (mangel) and sugar beets, potatoes, horticulture and cattle raising (cows, pigs, fowls, ...).There are also a few other businesses including a general practitioner
General practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
.
Social life
List of associations in Ledringhem:- Alcyon, Association pour le rayonnement de la francophonie, help to French speaking students
- Association Audrey 59 Steven
- Association des parents d'élèves de l'école publique de Ledringhem (APEEPL), pupil's parents association
- Association Jeunesse et ambitions
- Association Nature et Patrimoine de Ledringhem (ANPL), Nature and Patrimony association
- Club Agro Convergence
- Frisons en Flandre, Friesian horses association
- Jogging club de Wormhout
- La Jet moins set moto, moto association
- Lame Soeur, help to musicians association
- La Petite Reine Ledringhemoise, bicycling association
- L'Art Sauv., art at the hospital association
- Les Pieds Tanqués, pétanque association
- Les Quickpitchenaeres, carnival association
- Union nationale des combattants de Ledringhem, war veterans association
- Wormhout Volley-Sport
- international association : Association Franco-Britannique de la Plaine au bois, French-British association for La Plaine au bois massacre commemoration, with mayors of Esquelbecq, Ledringhem and LlandudnoLlandudnoLlandudno is a seaside resort and town in Conwy County Borough, Wales. In the 2001 UK census it had a population of 20,090 including that of Penrhyn Bay and Penrhynside, which are within the Llandudno Community...
.
Patron saint fest occurs during June first Sunday.
Main sights
- Paeltronck Hoeve (French : ferme du têtard borne) is a typical Flemish farm.
Religious patrimony
- The catholic Hall church-type "hallekerque", with three same-sized naves, is dedicated to Audomar (Saint-Omer) dating XVI th century (1548), with an organ and a XVIII th century pulpit, a XVIII th century tabernacleChurch tabernacleA tabernacle is the fixed, locked box in which, in some Christian churches, the Eucharist is "reserved" . A less obvious container, set into the wall, is called an aumbry....
and a XVII th century retableRetableA retable is a framed altarpiece, raised slightly above the back of the altar or communion table, on which are placed the cross, ceremonial candlesticks and other ornaments....
dedicated to saint Omer. It is made of red brickBrickA brick is a block of ceramic material used in masonry construction, usually laid using various kinds of mortar. It has been regarded as one of the longest lasting and strongest building materials used throughout history.-History:...
s. There are several runic-like shapes, made of yellow-coloured bricks included in the red-coloured bricks masonry, around the building. The roof and bell tower are covered with slateSlateSlate is a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low-grade regional metamorphism. The result is a foliated rock in which the foliation may not correspond to the original sedimentary layering...
s. - Several small chapelChapelA chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
s and crosses are scattered all around the village.
External links
- Ledringhem's data on Institut Géographique National (French)
- Ledringem's natural catastophy risks assessment on prim.net (French)
- Ledringhem's news on lavoixdunord.fr (French)
- Ledringhem's proprieties sales on lavoiximmo.com (French)
- Ledringhem on Villorama.com (French)
Photographs