Henrichemont
Encyclopedia
Henrichemont, formerly known as Boisbelle, is a commune
in the Cher department in the Centre region
of France
. The village was created and named in honour of Henri IV in 1609 by Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully to be the capital of the principality of Boisbelle and possibly a refuge for the protestants of the region. The principality approximated to the territories of the current canton of Henrichemont.
The hamlet of La Borne is home to a restored tradition of stoneware
pottery, attracting world-renown artists and writers to stay there. The village is one of the most popular small tourist attractions in France.
. Under Roman law, an allod is a freehold with none of the constraints of feudal tenure. Being sovereign meant that the owner had the rights of a ruler and governed the territory in complete independence: he or she could make laws, administer justice and mint money.
The inhabitants of Boisbelle were free from any taxes or services and could not be conscripted into the armed forces, but were however subject to the requirements of the Roman Catholic Church.
of 11 July 1606 and 27 October 1606 which confirmed its sovereign status and the immunity of its inhabitants. After further dispute with the provincial authorities over the gabelle
salt tax, Henri IV issued further letters patent on 23 September 1608 declaring the people of Boisbelle free of all tax in perpetuity.
. Planned as a grid, it was to have a Catholic church, a Protestant chapel, a secondary school, a market hall and an inn. The first stone was laid on 13 April 1609 on the central square, which was given the name of Béthune.
and farming village situated by the banks of the river Vernon, some 16 miles (25.7 km) northeast of Bourges
, at the junction of the D12, D11, D20 and the D22 roads.
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 Cher department in the Centre region
Régions of France
France is divided into 27 administrative regions , 22 of which are in Metropolitan France, and five of which are overseas. Corsica is a territorial collectivity , but is considered a region in mainstream usage, and is even shown as such on the INSEE website...
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...
. The village was created and named in honour of Henri IV in 1609 by Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully to be the capital of the principality of Boisbelle and possibly a refuge for the protestants of the region. The principality approximated to the territories of the current canton of Henrichemont.
The hamlet of La Borne is home to a restored tradition of stoneware
Stoneware
Stoneware is a vitreous or semi-vitreous ceramic ware with a fine texture. Stoneware is made from clay that is then fired in a kiln, whether by an artisan to make homeware, or in an industrial kiln for mass-produced or specialty products...
pottery, attracting world-renown artists and writers to stay there. The village is one of the most popular small tourist attractions in France.
Beginnings
From ancient times, Boisbelle had been a sovereign allodAllodial title
Allodial title constitutes ownership of real property that is independent of any superior landlord, but it should not be confused with anarchy as the owner of allodial land is not independent of his sovereign...
. Under Roman law, an allod is a freehold with none of the constraints of feudal tenure. Being sovereign meant that the owner had the rights of a ruler and governed the territory in complete independence: he or she could make laws, administer justice and mint money.
The inhabitants of Boisbelle were free from any taxes or services and could not be conscripted into the armed forces, but were however subject to the requirements of the Roman Catholic Church.
Acquisition by Sully
On 31 August 1605, Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully, a Protestant and a friend of King Henri IV since 1572, bought from the Duke of Nevers the title and lands of the principality of Boisbelle.Challenges over status
As the French Treasury had challenged the tax-exempt position of Boisbelle, Sully obtained from Henri IV letters patentLetters patent
Letters patent are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch or president, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a person or corporation...
of 11 July 1606 and 27 October 1606 which confirmed its sovereign status and the immunity of its inhabitants. After further dispute with the provincial authorities over 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....
salt tax, Henri IV issued further letters patent on 23 September 1608 declaring the people of Boisbelle free of all tax in perpetuity.
Foundation of the town of Henrichemont
Secure over the status of the principality, Sully decided to build a new capital, calling it Henrichemont in honour of the king. To lay out the town, he called on the civil engineer Claude Chastillon, while the design of the buildings was entrusted to the architect Salomon de BrosseSalomon de Brosse
Salomon de Brosse was the most influential early 17th-century French architect, a major influence on François Mansart. Salomon was from a prominent Huguenot family, the grandson through his mother of the designer Jacques I Androuet du Cerceau and the son of the architect Jean de Brosse...
. Planned as a grid, it was to have a Catholic church, a Protestant chapel, a secondary school, a market hall and an inn. The first stone was laid on 13 April 1609 on the central square, which was given the name of Béthune.
Assassination of Henri IV and collapse of project
On 14 May 1610, when Henri IV was assassinated, Sully lost his friend and protector. Rapidly, his offices were taken away and with them his income. Construction of his town slowed and the contractors fell into dispute with him. Work stopped in 1612 and law suits started, though in 1614 the archbishop of Bourges was able to consecrate the new church of St Laurent. In 1624, Sully was ordered by the court to pay the contractors and in 1636 the owners of the few private houses that had been built sold up at a loss.Establishment of a mint
A mint to provide coinage for the principality was built and it operated from 1635 to 1656. The building still stands.End of the principality
On 24 September 1766, the 7th Duke of Sully and last independent Prince ceded the principality to the Crown. It was integrated into France and the inhabitants lost all their privileges.Geography
A forestryForestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
and farming village situated by the banks of the river Vernon, some 16 miles (25.7 km) northeast of Bourges
Bourges
Bourges is a city in central France on the Yèvre river. It is the capital of the department of Cher and also was the capital of the former province of Berry.-History:...
, at the junction of the D12, D11, D20 and the D22 roads.
Population
Places of interest
- The church of St.Laurent, dating from the nineteenth century.
- Two museumMuseumA museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
s of potteryPotteryPottery is the material from which the potteryware is made, of which major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The place where such wares are made is also called a pottery . Pottery also refers to the art or craft of the potter or the manufacture of pottery...
at the hamlet of La Borne.. - A five-sided feudal motte.
- The “Maison de Sully”, an old house.