Pernes, Pas-de-Calais
Encyclopedia
Pernes is a commune
in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France
.
and Lillers
, on the junction of the D70 and D916 roads. It is crossed by the river Clarence
, the source of which is in the neighbouring village of Sains-lès-Pernes
, at a place known as "Le Buich".
The town can be accessed by SNCF TER (Regional Express Train) services to Pernes-Camblain station, with connections to Calais, Boulogne-Sur-Mer, and Lille.
. Because of countless invasions, the town's defenses were strengthened over centuries into a true fortress. The Lords of the Manor built an impregnable castle on a mound surrounded by marshland. As with many French towns in the Middle Ages
, Pernes was governed feudally by a succession of lords. The first of these authorities were the Counts of St. Pol. In 1569, they were still the masters of the castle, mill, gardens, marshes and all important buildings within their jurisdiction.
In 1627, the domain and the barony were sold to François of Cuinchy. His son, in debt, had to yield it to his creditor, Pierre de Predhomme d'Hailly, in 1648. The town remained under the management of the Cuinchy family until the line died out, in 1772. Afterwards, the lordship passed to the count of Wassier. In spite of the emigration of the count abroad, in 1792, the French Revolution
did not strip the family of their property rights, as they were of Belgian nationality.
In 1520, the town was host to Francis I
, as he prepared for his battle with Henry VIII
, that resulted in the Field of the Cloth of Gold
.
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 and Access
Pernes lies halfway between Saint-Pol-sur-TernoiseSaint-Pol-sur-Ternoise
Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France. The population of the canton is 14,939.-History:The county of Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise, usually referred to as just Saint-Pol, was originally a stronghold of the Counts of Flanders and was established as a county...
and Lillers
Lillers
Lillers is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:A small farming and light industrial town situated some 15 km northwest of Béthune and 40 km west of Lille, at the junction of the D185, D182 and the D69 roads...
, on the junction of the D70 and D916 roads. It is crossed by the river Clarence
Clarence River (France)
The Clarence is a river in northern France whose 32 km course crosses the département of Pas-de-Calais.Its source is near the village of Sains-lès-Pernes...
, the source of which is in the neighbouring village of Sains-lès-Pernes
Sains-lès-Pernes
Sains-lès-Pernes is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:Sains-lès-Pernes is at the junction of the D70 and D71 roads, some northwest of Arras, close to the town of Pernes. It is the source of the river Clarence, at a place known as "Le...
, at a place known as "Le Buich".
The town can be accessed by SNCF TER (Regional Express Train) services to Pernes-Camblain station, with connections to Calais, Boulogne-Sur-Mer, and Lille.
History
Of Roman origin, written evidence of the existence of Pernes dates back to around 823. The town depended on the wealthy Abbey of Saint-RiquierSaint-Riquier
Saint-Riquier is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Geography:The commune is situated northeast of Abbeville, on the D925 and D32 crossroads.-Abbey:...
. Because of countless invasions, the town's defenses were strengthened over centuries into a true fortress. The Lords of the Manor built an impregnable castle on a mound surrounded by marshland. As with many French towns in the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, Pernes was governed feudally by a succession of lords. The first of these authorities were the Counts of St. Pol. In 1569, they were still the masters of the castle, mill, gardens, marshes and all important buildings within their jurisdiction.
In 1627, the domain and the barony were sold to François of Cuinchy. His son, in debt, had to yield it to his creditor, Pierre de Predhomme d'Hailly, in 1648. The town remained under the management of the Cuinchy family until the line died out, in 1772. Afterwards, the lordship passed to the count of Wassier. In spite of the emigration of the count abroad, in 1792, 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...
did not strip the family of their property rights, as they were of Belgian nationality.
In 1520, the town was host to Francis I
Francis I of France
Francis I was King of France from 1515 until his death. During his reign, huge cultural changes took place in France and he has been called France's original Renaissance monarch...
, as he prepared for his battle with Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
, that resulted in the Field of the Cloth of Gold
Field of the Cloth of Gold
The Field of Cloth of Gold is the name given to a place in Balinghem, between Guînes and Ardres, in France, near Calais. It was the site of a meeting that took place from 7 June to 24 June 1520, between King Henry VIII of England and King Francis I of France. The meeting was arranged to increase...
.
Population
| 1962 | 1968 | 1975 | 1982 | 1990 | 1999 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1657 | 1696 | 1653 | 1516 | 1536 | 1628 | 1690 |
| Census count starting from 1962: Population without duplicates | ||||||
Places of interest
- A section of wall of the castle, destroyed during the French Revolution.
- The townhall, with its clock dating from 1586.
- St. Peter's church (16th-19th century). The baptismal font is from the beginning of the 16th century. Former Lords of the manor are buried in here.
- Pernes British Cemetery, a cemetery of 1075 First World War burials, and of 18 graves from the Second World War, totalling 1096 (identified) casualties. The cemetery is located 1 km west on the road from Pernes to Sains-Les-Pernes, the D70 (Avenue du Président Kennedy). Wheelchair access is possible, but only through a side entrance which leads onto a dirt track that runs along the western side of the cemetery. More information is available from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
- Pernes had two windmillWindmillA windmill is a machine which converts the energy of wind into rotational energy by means of vanes called sails or blades. Originally windmills were developed for milling grain for food production. In the course of history the windmill was adapted to many other industrial uses. An important...
s to provide flour. One, situated at the "Ferté", is still working. The other, in the Rue du Guit, stopped working several decades ago. There was also formerly a mill that pressed oil.