Fismes
Encyclopedia
Fismes is a commune
in the Marne
department in north-eastern France
.
As Charles Rostaing indicates, the latin word “fines” is a translation from the Gallic toponym *equoranda which essentially means “boundary” or “limit.”
In 1226, Thibault IV, the songwriter, helped Fismes become a free city, thanks to hard work of natives that participated in the war led by Thibault. By a charter and a seal that bears the emblem of our commune, Fismes under the aegis of a mayor and two deputies, escaped the domination of its Lord. Thus, the village was able to develop its artisanship, businesses, festivals and markets.
The walls of the city continued to expand; a church of stone, a château which occupied the current plaza of the post office and would one day house as governor, the poet Eustache Deschamps, as well as the City Hall, that continues to occupy the same place, were all constructed in this formative epoch.
The Hundred Year War, in which participated the English, the Germans, the Italians, the Dutch and many more, brought, once again, the city of Fismes to ruins. Later, the religious wars and the Fronde would completely destroy the walls of the city and the chateau of Fismes.
In 1646, Louis II de Bourbon acquired the manorial rights to Fismes and bestowed them on César de Costentin de Tourville for his good services to the King. In 1647, the land was passed on to the eldest son of Cesar, François-Cesar.
During the Fronde, the ramparts of the city and the chateau were completely destroyed.
After the revolution, a time of much inner conflict among the people of Fismes, Napoleon came to Fismes in order to sign two important declarations. Following Napoleon and the French Revolution
, 30,000 Prussians arrived in Fismes and, once again, plundered the village.
In the 19th Century, France experienced the rapidly expanding industrial revolution. Sweets, the porcelain of Fismes (which was rare and expensive), the foundry, the railroad, hat making, tanneries and mills mark the advancements of the region and the economic history of this century.
The 20th Century began in worse conditions than the preceding finished. Fismes was greatly affected by the First World War. The Germans invaded the city, then retired on the “Chemin des Dames
” before they completely demolished the city in 1918.
Fismes attempted to reconstruct itself slowly. Unfortunately, due to its position as a railroad town through which passed the trains filled with deportees being sent to Germany, the city suffered during the course of the Second World War. 14 residents of Fismes, who were seized for acts of resistance, died in concentration camps. Among them was the mayor of Fismes, the Doctor Genillon.
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 Marne
Marne
Marne is a department in north-eastern France named after the river Marne which flows through the department. The prefecture of Marne is Châlons-en-Champagne...
department in north-eastern 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...
.
Economy
Many agricultural zones of the region may soon become a section of the zone for production of Champagne.Antiquity
Fismes, on the right bank of the Vesle, developed from a Gallic ancient city named, during the gallo-romaine era, “Ad Fines Suessioium” (limit of the Suession peoples’ territory) or “Ad Fines Remorum” (limit of the Rèmes peoples’ territory) as the city was situated on the boundary of the two Gallic tribes Suessions and Rèmes.As Charles Rostaing indicates, the latin word “fines” is a translation from the Gallic toponym *equoranda which essentially means “boundary” or “limit.”
Middle Ages
The barbaric period did not spare Fismes. During the first half of the Middle Ages, the Normands and the Hungarians, destroyed the city of Fismes multiple times. These ravages pushed the agglomoration of the city towards the heights of the Vesle’s right bank.In 1226, Thibault IV, the songwriter, helped Fismes become a free city, thanks to hard work of natives that participated in the war led by Thibault. By a charter and a seal that bears the emblem of our commune, Fismes under the aegis of a mayor and two deputies, escaped the domination of its Lord. Thus, the village was able to develop its artisanship, businesses, festivals and markets.
The walls of the city continued to expand; a church of stone, a château which occupied the current plaza of the post office and would one day house as governor, the poet Eustache Deschamps, as well as the City Hall, that continues to occupy the same place, were all constructed in this formative epoch.
The Hundred Year War, in which participated the English, the Germans, the Italians, the Dutch and many more, brought, once again, the city of Fismes to ruins. Later, the religious wars and the Fronde would completely destroy the walls of the city and the chateau of Fismes.
Modern Era
From Louis XIII to Charles X almost all the future Kings of France passed through Fismes which was their last stop on the way to their coronation at the Cathedral of Reims.In 1646, Louis II de Bourbon acquired the manorial rights to Fismes and bestowed them on César de Costentin de Tourville for his good services to the King. In 1647, the land was passed on to the eldest son of Cesar, François-Cesar.
During the Fronde, the ramparts of the city and the chateau were completely destroyed.
After the revolution, a time of much inner conflict among the people of Fismes, Napoleon came to Fismes in order to sign two important declarations. Following Napoleon and 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...
, 30,000 Prussians arrived in Fismes and, once again, plundered the village.
In the 19th Century, France experienced the rapidly expanding industrial revolution. Sweets, the porcelain of Fismes (which was rare and expensive), the foundry, the railroad, hat making, tanneries and mills mark the advancements of the region and the economic history of this century.
The 20th Century began in worse conditions than the preceding finished. Fismes was greatly affected by the First World War. The Germans invaded the city, then retired on the “Chemin des Dames
Chemin des Dames
In France, the Chemin des Dames is part of the D18 and runs east and west in the département of Aisne, between in the west, the Route Nationale 2, and in the east, the D1044 at Corbeny. It is some thirty kilometres long and runs along a ridge between the valleys of the rivers Aisne and Ailette...
” before they completely demolished the city in 1918.
Fismes attempted to reconstruct itself slowly. Unfortunately, due to its position as a railroad town through which passed the trains filled with deportees being sent to Germany, the city suffered during the course of the Second World War. 14 residents of Fismes, who were seized for acts of resistance, died in concentration camps. Among them was the mayor of Fismes, the Doctor Genillon.
Demography
Sights and monuments
- City Hall;
- Church of Fismes, dedicated to Saint Macre ;
- The city's ramparts;
- The pillar of the door Saint Gilles;
- The royal markers on the route to SoissonsSoissonsSoissons is a commune in the Aisne department in Picardy in northern France, located on the Aisne River, about northeast of Paris. It is one of the most ancient towns of France, and is probably the ancient capital of the Suessiones...
, the route to coronation; - The house called "Heurtevin" where the kings of France often spent their last night as prince;
- The American Memorial Bridge;
- The Bread Museum.
Individuals associated with the city
- Athanase CoquerelAthanase CoquerelAthanase Coquerel can refer to:*Athanase Laurent Charles Coquerel *Athanase Josué Coquerel , son of Athanase Laurent Charles Coquerel...
(1820-1875), theologist - Félix Billet
- Camille Auguste Mercier (1848-1881), scholar
- Sophie Manéglier (1803-1892), literary
- Albert UderzoAlbert UderzoAlbert Uderzo is a French comic book artist, and scriptwriter. He is best known for his work on the Astérix series, but also drew other comics such as Oumpah-pah, also in collaboration with René Goscinny.-Early life:...
, French cartoonist and co-creator of 'AstérixAsterixAsterix or The Adventures of Asterix is a series of French comic books written by René Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo . The series first appeared in French in the magazine Pilote on October 29, 1959...
, born in Fismes. - César de Costentin de Tourville (died in 1647), Count of Fismes, military officer, father of Marshall Anne-Hilarion de Tourville, vice-admiral of France.
Connected Articles
- Gare de Fismes
- Chemins de fer de la Banlieue de Reims
- Communes de la Marne
- Communes of the Marne department
- Anciennes communes de la Marne