Eaucourt-sur-Somme (, literally ''Eaucourt on Somme''; pcd, Yucourt-dsu-Sonme) is a

commune A commune is an alternative term for an intentional community. Commune or comună or comune or other derivations may also refer to: Administrative-territorial entities * Commune (administrative division), a municipality or township ** Communes of ...

in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...

Geography

The commune is situated southeast of

Abbeville Abbeville (, vls, Abbekerke, pcd, Advile) is a commune in the Somme department and in Hauts-de-France region in northern France. It is the chef-lieu of one of the arrondissements of Somme. Located on the river Somme, it was the capital of ...

on the D901 and by the banks of the river Somme.

History

The etymology of the name "Eaucourt". One of many towns in Picardie where the name ends in ‘court’. This dates back to the Middle Ages, when a manor was enlarged by the building of smaller houses around it in a ‘court’. ‘Eau’ is ‘water’.
The town of Eaucourt-sur-Somme appears to have been founded in the 7th or 8th century as part of the possessions of the Abbey of St Riquier. By usurpation, or by concession, Eaucourt passed into the hands of the lords of the Ferté, at that time, the Châtillons family.
The castle was first constructed in the 13th century, since the diocesan Pouillé of 1301 talks about the chapel of Saint Margherite and the castle. He called it "Aqua curte". The castle construction was carried out by the lords of the Ferté in response to the wishes of King Philippe II (Augustus) (1165–1223) to fortify towns in order to defend the newly conquered territory.
Around 1358, during the imprisonment of King John the Good of France, municipal troops of Abbeville demolished the castle to prevent the English any means to establish themselves in the region. Rebuilt soon after, in 1420, by Simon of Boulainvilliers, it was subsequently fought over by the kings of France and England (and the Burgundians) and left in ruins.
The castle was rebuilt in 1436 by John of Eaucourt, who chose to live here. 4 years later it was pillaged by Pierre Renaud of Vignolles in 1440, who put the lord of Eaucourt to ransom.
In 1575, the seigneurie of Eaucourt was held by Françoise of Soyecourt.
In 1589, during the

French Wars of Religion The French Wars of Religion is the term which is used in reference to a period of civil war between French Catholics and Protestants, commonly called Huguenots, which lasted from 1562 to 1598. According to estimates, between two and four mi ...

, the leaguers of Abbeville attacked the troops of King

Henry IV of France Henry IV (french: Henri IV; 13 December 1553 – 14 May 1610), also known by the epithets Good King Henry or Henry the Great, was King of Navarre (as Henry III) from 1572 and King of France from 1589 to 1610. He was the first monarch ...

and took possession of the castle.
In 1700, the seigneurie of Eaucourt was held by the Dame of Belleforière-Soyecourt.
In 1755, by Joachim-Charles de Seiglière de Belleforière.
In 1777, by François Valliant, knight, who bought the castle and lived there until 1779. This is the last time anyone used it as a home. In 1983, Damien Maupin founded the Association for the Restoration of the Chateau d’Eaucourt (ARCH) and organized the first restoration work.

Places of interest

* The church * The windmill (rebuilt by the community) * The Château

Personalities

* Henri Sannier, the mayor since 1977, is also a well-known French television sports reporter.

Population

References

External links

Le site internet de l'ARChE(Association pour la Restauration du Château d'Eaucourt sur Somme)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Eaucourtsursomme Communes of Somme (department)