Racquinghem
Encyclopedia
Racquinghem is a commune
in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France
.
, on the N43 road, located on the banks of the Noeufossé canal, the border between the department of Nord and the Pas de Calais.
The commune is close to the eastern boundary of the Helfaut plateau, a remarkable geological and ecological area, not typical of the region, which now hosts the Helfaut Nature Reserve. Its flora comprises both dry and wet heathland and some protected fauna, mostly amphibians.
times, as testified by artefacts discovered in the commune. The name is probably derived from Rikiwulfinga-haim, referring to the occupation by the Viking Rikiwulf in 880, who also settled nearby Reclinghem
.
Various wars have been waged around the town, including the war of 1046 to 1056 between Baldwin V, Count of Flanders
and Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor
, one battle of which was fought between Arques
and Aire-sur-la-Lys
. An artificial border was created on this occasion by digging a defensive canal called the Neufe-Fosse, which eventually became the Noeufossé canal.
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
A large village some 6 miles (9 km) southeast of Saint-OmerSaint-Omer
Saint-Omer , a commune and sub-prefecture of the Pas-de-Calais department west-northwest of Lille on the railway to Calais. The town is named after Saint Audomar, who brought Christianity to the area....
, on the N43 road, located on the banks of the Noeufossé canal, the border between the department of Nord and the Pas de Calais.
The commune is close to the eastern boundary of the Helfaut plateau, a remarkable geological and ecological area, not typical of the region, which now hosts the Helfaut Nature Reserve. Its flora comprises both dry and wet heathland and some protected fauna, mostly amphibians.
History
The area has been populated since before RomanAncient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
times, as testified by artefacts discovered in the commune. The name is probably derived from Rikiwulfinga-haim, referring to the occupation by the Viking Rikiwulf in 880, who also settled nearby Reclinghem
Reclinghem
Reclinghem is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France. It was settled by the Viking Rikiwulf in the 9th century, who probably also settled nearby Richebourg and Rijkeghem in present Tielt, Belgium.-Geography:Reclinghem lies about 12 miles south of...
.
Various wars have been waged around the town, including the war of 1046 to 1056 between Baldwin V, Count of Flanders
Baldwin V, Count of Flanders
Baldwin V of Flanders was Count of Flanders from 1035 until his death.He was the son of Baldwin IV, Count of Flanders, who died in 1035.-History:...
and Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor
Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor
Henry III , called the Black or the Pious, was a member of the Salian Dynasty of Holy Roman Emperors...
, one battle of which was fought between Arques
Arques
Arques may refer to the following places in France:* Arques, Aude, in the Aude département* Arques, Aveyron, in the Aveyron département* Arques, Pas-de-Calais, in the Pas-de-Calais département...
and Aire-sur-la-Lys
Aire-sur-la-Lys
Aire-sur-la-Lys is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France.-Geography:The commune is located 10 miles southeast of Saint-Omer, at the junction of the N43 with several departmental roads, by the banks of the Lys and the Laquette rivers.-History:Aire-sur-la-Lys is mentioned for...
. An artificial border was created on this occasion by digging a defensive canal called the Neufe-Fosse, which eventually became the Noeufossé canal.
Population
| 1962 | 1968 | 1975 | 1982 | 1990 | 1999 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 919 | 976 | 1219 | 1816 | 2368 | 2334 | 2278 |
| Census count starting from 1962: Population without duplicates | ||||||
Places of interest
- The church of Notre-Dame, dating from the nineteenth century.
- The Château de Bambecque.