Nayemont-les-Fosses
Encyclopedia
Nayemont-les-Fosses is a commune
in the Vosges
department in Lorraine
in northeastern France
.
Inhabitants are called Nayemontais.
, on its eastern side, and on the sunny side of the Ormont Hills. The commune's territory extends to the right bank of the little River Fave. The mountain topography enforces a somewhat dispersed layout for the commune's settlements, which include both the village of Nayemont itself and various hamlets such as Brompont, les Basses Fosses, les Hautes Fosses and Menumont.
and subsequently. Presumably the district shared in the switch from a nomadic hunting existence to one involving settlement and agriculture. Presumably, too, the area had its share of fighting and conquest.
During the first millennium, the end of the Gallo-Roman period was accompanied by the disappearance of central authority. It was a troubled period for Lorraine, characterised by wars and the disappearances - presumably following violent assaults - of settled communities. However, the construction on the hill a little to the east of the present day village, of Spitzemberg Castle around 900 indicates an attempt to achieve greater permanence amid the ruins of the Gallo-Roman civilisation. During the Hungarian invasions castles such as this provided a refuge for threatened villagers.
The Lordship of Spitzemberg fell within the Duchy of Lorraine, created in 959 by the German Emperor, Otto I. Lorraine remained subject to the German emperors
until the early fifteenth century which ushered in several uncomfortable centuries during which Lorraine would find itself one of several buffer states lodged between the conflicting territorial ambitions of The Empire
and of France
.
Meanwhile, in the twelfth century the district belonged to the Lords of Paroye until, in 1243, the Dukes of Lorraine themselves acquired the castle, where they installed a garrison: a principal objective of building up and maintaining the castle in this way was the defence of nearby Saint-Dié-des-Vosges
to the west. The village o Ayemont (Nayemont) along with the settlements at Les Hautes-Fosses and Les Basse Fosses were part of the domain supporting and dependent of the castle.
The 1550s found the powerful regent Christina
, Danish born widow of the former Duke of Lorraine
, residing at Spitzemberg Castle. During the time of the dowager duchess Christina, the local inhabitants were granted usage rights to the woods in the lower land around Ayemont which was, at this time, the principal village in the Spitzemberg deanery, with responsibility over the nearby hamlets of Hautes Fosses and Basse Fosses, and under the bailiwick of Saint-Dié
. Christina enjoyed her walks and also arranged for the construction and maintenance of a network of forest paths, one of which is still known as "Queen's Path" ("Chemin de la Reine"). The locals were expected to provide some form of military service (guard duty) to the castle, but this could be replaced by a tax in kind, commonly involving rye or oats.
Then as now, the village had no church of its own, being ecclesiastically dependent on the parish of Sainte-Marguerite, a short walk to the south.
Between 1790 and Year X (1801/02) Ayemont, which by now had become Nayemont, was part of the commune of Bertrimoutier
.
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 Vosges
Vosges
Vosges is a French department, named after the local mountain range. It contains the hometown of Joan of Arc, Domrémy.-History:The Vosges department is one of the original 83 departments of France, created on February 9, 1790 during the French Revolution. It was made of territories that had been...
department in Lorraine
Lorraine (région)
Lorraine is one of the 27 régions of France. The administrative region has two cities of equal importance, Metz and Nancy. Metz is considered to be the official capital since that is where the regional parliament is situated...
in northeastern 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...
.
Inhabitants are called Nayemontais.
Geography
The commune is adjacent to Saint-Dié-des-VosgesSaint-Dié-des-Vosges
Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, commonly referred to as Saint-Dié, is a commune in the Vosges department in Lorraine in northeastern France.It is a sub-prefecture of the department.-Geography:...
, on its eastern side, and on the sunny side of the Ormont Hills. The commune's territory extends to the right bank of the little River Fave. The mountain topography enforces a somewhat dispersed layout for the commune's settlements, which include both the village of Nayemont itself and various hamlets such as Brompont, les Basses Fosses, les Hautes Fosses and Menumont.
History
Archaeological discoveries indicate significant human presence here both during the later Neolithic periodNeolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
and subsequently. Presumably the district shared in the switch from a nomadic hunting existence to one involving settlement and agriculture. Presumably, too, the area had its share of fighting and conquest.
During the first millennium, the end of the Gallo-Roman period was accompanied by the disappearance of central authority. It was a troubled period for Lorraine, characterised by wars and the disappearances - presumably following violent assaults - of settled communities. However, the construction on the hill a little to the east of the present day village, of Spitzemberg Castle around 900 indicates an attempt to achieve greater permanence amid the ruins of the Gallo-Roman civilisation. During the Hungarian invasions castles such as this provided a refuge for threatened villagers.
The Lordship of Spitzemberg fell within the Duchy of Lorraine, created in 959 by the German Emperor, Otto I. Lorraine remained subject to the German emperors
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
until the early fifteenth century which ushered in several uncomfortable centuries during which Lorraine would find itself one of several buffer states lodged between the conflicting territorial ambitions of The Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
and 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...
.
Meanwhile, in the twelfth century the district belonged to the Lords of Paroye until, in 1243, the Dukes of Lorraine themselves acquired the castle, where they installed a garrison: a principal objective of building up and maintaining the castle in this way was the defence of nearby Saint-Dié-des-Vosges
Saint-Dié-des-Vosges
Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, commonly referred to as Saint-Dié, is a commune in the Vosges department in Lorraine in northeastern France.It is a sub-prefecture of the department.-Geography:...
to the west. The village o Ayemont (Nayemont) along with the settlements at Les Hautes-Fosses and Les Basse Fosses were part of the domain supporting and dependent of the castle.
The 1550s found the powerful regent Christina
Christina of Denmark
Christina of Denmark was a Danish princess who became Duchess-consort of Milan, then Duchess-consort of Lorraine...
, Danish born widow of the former Duke of Lorraine
Francis I, Duke of Lorraine
Francis I was a member of the French nobility. He was briefly Duke of Lorraine from 1544–1545.-History:...
, residing at Spitzemberg Castle. During the time of the dowager duchess Christina, the local inhabitants were granted usage rights to the woods in the lower land around Ayemont which was, at this time, the principal village in the Spitzemberg deanery, with responsibility over the nearby hamlets of Hautes Fosses and Basse Fosses, and under the bailiwick of Saint-Dié
Saint-Dié-des-Vosges
Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, commonly referred to as Saint-Dié, is a commune in the Vosges department in Lorraine in northeastern France.It is a sub-prefecture of the department.-Geography:...
. Christina enjoyed her walks and also arranged for the construction and maintenance of a network of forest paths, one of which is still known as "Queen's Path" ("Chemin de la Reine"). The locals were expected to provide some form of military service (guard duty) to the castle, but this could be replaced by a tax in kind, commonly involving rye or oats.
Then as now, the village had no church of its own, being ecclesiastically dependent on the parish of Sainte-Marguerite, a short walk to the south.
Between 1790 and Year X (1801/02) Ayemont, which by now had become Nayemont, was part of the commune of Bertrimoutier
Bertrimoutier
Bertrimoutier is a commune in the Vosges department in Lorraine in northeastern France.-External links:*...
.