Pouancé
Encyclopedia
Pouancé is a commune
in the Maine-et-Loire
department in western France
. It is located on the border of 4 French departements: the Maine-et-Loire
where its belong, the Mayenne
in the North, the Ille-et-Vilaine
in the North-west, and the Loire-Atlantique
in the West.
Since the Middle-age, Pouancé is a true border between Anjou
, part of the Kingdom of France
, and the independent duchy of Brittany. The city gained the nickname of "Door of Anjou, March of Britanny". Until now, the city keeps its partially preserved city walls, some of its city gate
s and its medieval castle, the second largest in Anjou
.
of Pierrefrite is one of the only remains from the prehistory
in Pouancé region, along with some stone axe
s and an arrow
head. The menhir is located on the border of the commune of Armaillé
et Saint-Michel-et-Chanveaux
. The menhir is made of red slate
and is 5 meters tall.
After the discover of pieces of tegulae
in a wood, it is supposed that a roman kiln
did exist, and along with it, a gallo-roman
habitat.
The earlier place of settlement on the territory is supposed to be the village of Saint-Aubin, around one kilometre far from the center of Pouancé. In the walls of Saint-Aubin church (12th century) was found the remains of a Merovingian
sarcophagus
.
The first known lord of Pouancé was Manguinoë, from 990 to 1037. It is supposed that he built the first castle, in a motte-and-bailey
style. For defensive reasons, the motte was built one kilometre from Saint-Aubin, on a slate hill. At the end of the 12th century, a medieval village grew up around, the first towers were built, and the village was fortified. The fortress complete, it counted 15 towers and 3 defensive walls.
During the reign of Charles V of France
, a permanent tax, the gabelle
, was established on the salt. The Anjou became a Pays de grandes gabelles, where tax was heaviest. Because Brittany was exempted of this tax, a important smuggle developed in the border of Anjou and Brittany. In 1343, a greniers à sel (salt granary) was established in Pouancé to store the salt and judge dispute on the tax. The smuggling was so important in Pouancé that a special jail for the faux-sauniers (name for the salt smugglers) was built.
During the Hundred Years War, Pouancé has been besieged twice: the first time in 1432 by John VI, Duke of Brittany
, allied with English and Scottish troops. The second time in 1443, by John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset
. But the city managed to resist every time, and the besiegers were forced to retreat.
During the 16th century, Pouancé was also famous in Anjou for its forge
s. The French royal navy command commission the forge for several thousand of round shot
s.
After the French revolution
, Pouancé became the chef-lieu
of a canton
. The canton of Pouancé groups together 14 communes.
pouleum (a hill, or a butte).
First mention of Pouancé dated from 1050, when the town is named Poenciacum and Pautiacum. As time goes by, Pouancé born the following name:
forms part of the commune's northern border along with the Araize.
The river Verzée
flows southeastward through the southern part of the commune and crosses the town. It forms the lake of Saint-Aubin, then the lake of Pouancé just under the castle, and finally the lake of Tressé.
since 2007 (Website).
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 Maine-et-Loire
Maine-et-Loire
Maine-et-Loire is a department in west-central France, in the Pays de la Loire region.- History :Maine-et-Loire is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. Originally it was called Mayenne-et-Loire, but its name was changed to Maine-et-Loire in 1791....
department in western 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...
. It is located on the border of 4 French departements: the Maine-et-Loire
Maine-et-Loire
Maine-et-Loire is a department in west-central France, in the Pays de la Loire region.- History :Maine-et-Loire is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. Originally it was called Mayenne-et-Loire, but its name was changed to Maine-et-Loire in 1791....
where its belong, the Mayenne
Mayenne
Mayenne is a department in northwest France named after the Mayenne River.-History:Mayenne is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. The northern two thirds correspond to the western part of the former province of Maine...
in the North, the Ille-et-Vilaine
Ille-et-Vilaine
Ille-et-Vilaine is a department of France, located in the region of Brittany in the northwest of the country.- History :Ille-et-Vilaine is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790...
in the North-west, and the Loire-Atlantique
Loire-Atlantique
Loire-Atlantique is a department on the west coast of France named after the Loire River and the Atlantic Ocean.-History:...
in the West.
Since the Middle-age, Pouancé is a true border between Anjou
Anjou
Anjou is a former county , duchy and province centred on the city of Angers in the lower Loire Valley of western France. It corresponds largely to the present-day département of Maine-et-Loire...
, part of the Kingdom of France
Kingdom of France
The Kingdom of France was one of the most powerful states to exist in Europe during the second millennium.It originated from the Western portion of the Frankish empire, and consolidated significant power and influence over the next thousand years. Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, developed a...
, and the independent duchy of Brittany. The city gained the nickname of "Door of Anjou, March of Britanny". Until now, the city keeps its partially preserved city walls, some of its city gate
City gate
A city gate is a gate which is, or was, set within a city wall. Other terms include port.-Uses:City gates were traditionally built to provide a point of controlled access to and departure from a walled city for people, vehicles, goods and animals...
s and its medieval castle, the second largest in Anjou
Anjou
Anjou is a former county , duchy and province centred on the city of Angers in the lower Loire Valley of western France. It corresponds largely to the present-day département of Maine-et-Loire...
.
History
The menhirMenhir
A menhir is a large upright standing stone. Menhirs may be found singly as monoliths, or as part of a group of similar stones. Their size can vary considerably; but their shape is generally uneven and squared, often tapering towards the top...
of Pierrefrite is one of the only remains from the prehistory
Prehistory
Prehistory is the span of time before recorded history. Prehistory can refer to the period of human existence before the availability of those written records with which recorded history begins. More broadly, it refers to all the time preceding human existence and the invention of writing...
in Pouancé region, along with some stone axe
Axe
The axe, or ax, is an implement that has been used for millennia to shape, split and cut wood; to harvest timber; as a weapon; and as a ceremonial or heraldic symbol...
s and an arrow
Arrow
An arrow is a shafted projectile that is shot with a bow. It predates recorded history and is common to most cultures.An arrow usually consists of a shaft with an arrowhead attached to the front end, with fletchings and a nock at the other.- History:...
head. The menhir is located on the border of the commune of Armaillé
Armaillé
Armaillé is a commune in the Maine-et-Loire department in western France.-Geography:The village lies on the right bank of the Verzée, which flows east-southeastward through the commune....
et Saint-Michel-et-Chanveaux
Saint-Michel-et-Chanveaux
Saint-Michel-et-Chanveaux is a commune in the Maine-et-Loire department in western France.-References:*...
. The menhir is made of red slate
Slate
Slate 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...
and is 5 meters tall.
After the discover of pieces of tegulae
Imbrex and tegula
The imbrex and tegula were overlapping roof tiles used in ancient Greek and Roman architecture as a waterproof and durable roof covering. They were made predominantly of fired clay, but also sometimes of marble, bronze or gilt...
in a wood, it is supposed that a roman kiln
Kiln
A kiln is a thermally insulated chamber, or oven, in which a controlled temperature regime is produced. Uses include the hardening, burning or drying of materials...
did exist, and along with it, a gallo-roman
Gallo-Roman culture
The term Gallo-Roman describes the Romanized culture of Gaul under the rule of the Roman Empire. This was characterized by the Gaulish adoption or adaptation of Roman mores and way of life in a uniquely Gaulish context...
habitat.
The earlier place of settlement on the territory is supposed to be the village of Saint-Aubin, around one kilometre far from the center of Pouancé. In the walls of Saint-Aubin church (12th century) was found the remains of a Merovingian
Merovingian dynasty
The Merovingians were a Salian Frankish dynasty that came to rule the Franks in a region largely corresponding to ancient Gaul from the middle of the 5th century. Their politics involved frequent civil warfare among branches of the family...
sarcophagus
Sarcophagus
A sarcophagus is a funeral receptacle for a corpse, most commonly carved or cut from stone. The word "sarcophagus" comes from the Greek σαρξ sarx meaning "flesh", and φαγειν phagein meaning "to eat", hence sarkophagus means "flesh-eating"; from the phrase lithos sarkophagos...
.
The first known lord of Pouancé was Manguinoë, from 990 to 1037. It is supposed that he built the first castle, in a motte-and-bailey
Motte-and-bailey
A motte-and-bailey is a form of castle, with a wooden or stone keep situated on a raised earthwork called a motte, accompanied by an enclosed courtyard, or bailey, surrounded by a protective ditch and palisade...
style. For defensive reasons, the motte was built one kilometre from Saint-Aubin, on a slate hill. At the end of the 12th century, a medieval village grew up around, the first towers were built, and the village was fortified. The fortress complete, it counted 15 towers and 3 defensive walls.
During the reign of Charles V of France
Charles V of France
Charles V , called the Wise, was King of France from 1364 to his death in 1380 and a member of the House of Valois...
, a permanent tax, the gabelle
Gabelle
The gabelle was a very unpopular tax on salt in France before 1790. The term gabelle derives from the Italian gabella , itself from the Arabic qabala....
, was established on the salt. The Anjou became a Pays de grandes gabelles, where tax was heaviest. Because Brittany was exempted of this tax, a important smuggle developed in the border of Anjou and Brittany. In 1343, a greniers à sel (salt granary) was established in Pouancé to store the salt and judge dispute on the tax. The smuggling was so important in Pouancé that a special jail for the faux-sauniers (name for the salt smugglers) was built.
During the Hundred Years War, Pouancé has been besieged twice: the first time in 1432 by John VI, Duke of Brittany
John VI, Duke of Brittany
John VI the Wise , was duke of Brittany, count of Montfort, and titular earl of Richmond, from 1399 to his death...
, allied with English and Scottish troops. The second time in 1443, by John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset
John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset
John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset, KG was an English noble and military commander.-Family:Baptised on 25 March 1404, he was the second son of John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset and Margaret Holland, and succeeded his elder brother Henry Beaufort, 2nd Earl of Somerset to become the 3rd Earl of...
. But the city managed to resist every time, and the besiegers were forced to retreat.
During the 16th century, Pouancé was also famous in Anjou for its forge
Forge
A forge is a hearth used for forging. The term "forge" can also refer to the workplace of a smith or a blacksmith, although the term smithy is then more commonly used.The basic smithy contains a forge, also known as a hearth, for heating metals...
s. The French royal navy command commission the forge for several thousand of round shot
Round shot
Round shot is a solid projectile without explosive charge, fired from a cannon. As the name implies, round shot is spherical; its diameter is slightly less than the bore of the gun it is fired from.Round shot was made in early times from dressed stone, but by the 17th century, from iron...
s.
After 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...
, Pouancé became the chef-lieu
Chef-lieu
A chef-lieu is a town or city that is pre-eminent, from an administrative perspective, in any given sub-division of territory in France and some French-speaking countries.-In Algeria:...
of a canton
Cantons of France
The cantons of France are territorial subdivisions of the French Republic's 342 arrondissements and 101 departments.Apart from their role as organizational units in certain aspects of the administration of public services and justice, the chief purpose of the cantons today is to serve as...
. The canton of Pouancé groups together 14 communes.
Toponymy
The etymology of Pouancé could come from the latin name, Potentius, derived from the latin potens (powerful). Others make its derived from the CelticCeltic languages
The Celtic languages are descended from Proto-Celtic, or "Common Celtic"; a branch of the greater Indo-European language family...
pouleum (a hill, or a butte).
First mention of Pouancé dated from 1050, when the town is named Poenciacum and Pautiacum. As time goes by, Pouancé born the following name:
|
|
Coat of arms
| Coat of arms of Pouancé | |
| Arms/Standard | Description |
|---|---|
.svg.png) |
Quarterly, first and fourth argent a pale vert, second and third vert a bend argent. |
-2.png) |
Quarterly, first and fourth or a pale vert, second and third vert a bend or. This variant is the one actually used by the municipality of Pouancé. |
Geology and hydrology
The river SemnonSemnon
The Semnon is a long river in the Mayenne, Maine-et-Loire, Ille-et-Vilaine and Loire-Atlantique départements, western France. Its source is at Congrier. It flows generally west-northwest...
forms part of the commune's northern border along with the Araize.
The river Verzée
Verzée
The Verzée is a long river in the Loire-Atlantique and Maine-et-Loire départements, western France. Its source is at Soudan. It flows generally east-southeast...
flows southeastward through the southern part of the commune and crosses the town. It forms the lake of Saint-Aubin, then the lake of Pouancé just under the castle, and finally the lake of Tressé.
Climate
| Month | Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high (°C) | 7,9 | 9,2 | 12,6 | 15,3 | 19 | 22,6 | 24,9 | 24,7 | 21,8 | 17 | 11,4 | 8,4 | 16,2 |
| Average low (°C) | 2,1 | 2,2 | 3,9 | 5,6 | 8,9 | 11,8 | 13,6 | 13,4 | 11,3 | 8,4 | 4,6 | 2,8 | 7,4 |
| Average temperatures (°C) | 5 | 5,7 | 8,2 | 10.4 | 13,9 | 16,2 | 19,2 | 19,1 | 16,5 | 12,7 | 8 | 5,6 | 11,8 |
| Months average of precipitations Precipitation (meteorology) In meteorology, precipitation In meteorology, precipitation In meteorology, precipitation (also known as one of the classes of hydrometeors, which are atmospheric water phenomena is any product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapor that falls under gravity. The main forms of precipitation... (mm) |
62,1 | 50,8 | 51,7 | 44,6 | 54,4 | 41,2 | 43,8 | 44,9 | 52,2 | 59,6 | 64,5 | 63,4 | 633,4 |
| Monthly length of sunlight (hours/month) | 70 | 92 | 141 | 179 | 201 | 234 | 248 | 237 | 191 | 129 | 89 | 65 | 1877 |
| Source : Climatologie de 1947 à 2008 - Angers, France | |||||||||||||
Nearby places
Evolution
| 1793 | 1800 | 1806 | 1821 | 1831 | 1836 | 1841 | 1846 | 1851 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,034 | 1,306 | 1,915 | 1,956 | 2,560 | 2,765 | 2,821 | 2,758 | 2,895 |
| 1856 | 1861 | 1866 | 1872 | 1876 | 1881 | 1886 | 1891 | 1896 |
| 3,001 | 3,227 | 3,266 | 3,273 | 3,390 | 3,346 | 3,502 | 3,508 | 3,355 |
| 1901 | 1906 | 1911 | 1921 | 1926 | 1931 | 1936 | 1946 | 1954 |
| 3,278 | 3,198 | 3,093 | 2,755 | 2,762 | 2,804 | 2,836 | 3,218 | 3,119 |
| 1962 | 1968 | 1975 | 1982 | 1990 | 1999 | 2006 | - | - |
| 3,094 | 3,017 | 3,165 | 3,299 | 3,279 | 3,307 | 3,192 | - | - |
| Starting in 1962: Population with duplicates - Sources : Cassini et INSEE | ||||||||
Twin cities
Şopotu NouŞopotu Nou
Şopotu Nou is a commune in Caraş-Severin County, western Romania with a population of 1456 people. It is composed of ten villages: Cârşa Roşie, Driştie, Poienile Boinei, Ravensca , Răchita, Stăncilova, Şopotu Nou, Urcu, Valea Răchitei and Valea Roşie....
since 2007 (Website).