Pernes, Pas-de-Calais

French commune|name=Pernes
region=
departement=
arrondissement=Arras
canton=Heuchin
insee=62652
cp=62550
maire=Jean-Marie Olivier
mandat=2008-2014
intercomm=Communauté de communes du Pernois
longitude=2.41139
latitude=50.485
alt moy=83 m
alt mini=70 m
alt maxi=182 m
hectares=458
km²=4,58
sans=1,628
date-sans=1999
dens=355
date-dens=1999

Pernes (or Pernes-en-Artois ) is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais "département" in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.

Geography

The town of Pernes-en-Artois is halfway between Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise 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".

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-Riquier. 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 .

Population

Places and monuments

* 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 had two windmills 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.

ee also

* Communes of the Pas-de-Calais département

External links

(All French language)
* [http://www.ign.fr/affiche_rubrique.asp?rbr_id=1087&CommuneId=59614 Pernes on the website of l'Institut géographique national]
* [http://www.recensement.insee.fr/RP99/rp99/co_navigation.co_page?nivgeo=C&codgeo=62652&theme=ALL&typeprod=ALL&lang=FR&quelcas=LISTE Pernes on the website of l'Insee]
* [http://www.quid.fr/communes.html?mode=detail&id=27140&req=Pernes Pernes on the website of Quid]
* [http://www.lion1906.com/Pages/ResultatLocalisation.php?InseeVille=620652 Position of Pernes on a map of France]
* [http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?latlongtype=decimal&latitude=50.485&longitude=2.41138888888889&zoom=8 Map of Pernes on Mapquest]