Eglise Saint-Vaast - Norrent-Fontes, France
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member pmaupin
N 50° 35.028 E 002° 24.689
31U E 458335 N 5603708
[EN] The oldest foundations of Saint-Vaast church date from the end of the 15th century. [FR] Les plus anciennes fondations de l’église Saint-Vaast, datent de la fin du XVème siècle.
Waymark Code: WM13HCA
Location: Hauts-de-France, France
Date Posted: 12/17/2020
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member Alfouine
Views: 2
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"It is a vast building built in a flamboyant style, out of bricks consisting of a square tower (1624). A bell tower dating from 1772 then in a neo-Gothic style in the 19th century (in 1882, restoration and extension).

The reconstructed choir opposite the original choir and the nave will have the same width. Vaulted ceilings with very molded cords ending in rosettes and a polygonal apse.

The causes of the reconstruction: The year 1651, during the war between France and Spain, Monsieur de Villequierre came to Artois with a large number of French troops to draw contributions in the villages around Aire and Lillers, and knowing that the town of Lillers was ceded to the Lorrainers and that they were garrisoned there, he went there to attack them with the intention of surprising the small town of Lillers and reducing it to ashes.

But not seeing his project clearly, he went to attack the castle of Malannoy. This castle of Malannoy has always been a formidable place to enemies as much for its location as for its antiquity; the Lorrainers for their part had fortified it very regularly with good ramparts, half-moons and large ditches to be in a state of defense and to guarantee the town of Lillers.

Monsieur de Villequierre, with his troop, attacked them but in vain. Seeing his efforts in vain, he withdrew with his troops and abandoned the attack on the castle and came to the village of Norrent to draw contributions as he had done in other places, but the inhabitants of Norrent refused to pay.

He was ordered to fire on them. Monsieur de Villequierre, seeing their audacity, set fire to everywhere in the village of Norrent and Fontes; the inhabitants in front of their village on fire and in flames, took refuge in the church.

The French soldiers set fire to the church. The fire caught with such violence in the frame of the tower that all those who were withdrawn in the church and in the tower were all suffocated and burned to the number of one hundred and forty-two people both men and women.

Sources : The Church

Photo goes Here Photo goes Here

"C'est un vaste édifice construit dans un style flamboyant, en briques constitué d’une tour carrée (1624). Un clocher datant de 1772 puis dans un style néogothique au 19 ème siècle (en 1882 restauration et agrandissement).

Le chœur reconstruit à l’opposé de chœur initial et la nef auront la même largeur. Des voûtes avec des cordons très moulurés terminés par des rosaces et une abside de forme polygonale.

Les causes de la reconstruction : L'an 1651, durant la guerre entre la France et l'Espagne, Monsieur de Villequierre vint en Artois avec un grand nombre de troupes françaises pour tirer des contributions dans les villages aux environs d'Aire et de Lillers, et sachant que la ville de Lillers était cédée aux Lorrains et qu'ils y tenaient garnison, il y alla pour les attaquer à dessein de surprendre la petite ville de Lillers et de la réduire en cendres.

Mais ne voyant pas clair à son projet aboutir, il alla attaquer le château de Malannoy. Ce château de Malannoy a été de tout temps un endroit redoutable aux ennemis tant par sa situation que par son antiquité ; les Lorrains de leur côté l'avaient fortifié très régulièrement de bons remparts, de demi-lunes et de grands fossés pour être en état de défense et pour garantir la ville de Lillers.

Monsieur de Villequierre, avec sa troupe, les alla attaquer mais en vain. Voyant ses efforts inutiles, il se retira avec ses troupes et abandonna l'attaque du château et vint au village de Norrent pour tirer contributions comme il avait fait aux autres endroits, mais les habitants de Norrent refusèrent de payer.

Il fut ordonné de faire feu sur eux. Monsieur de Villequierre, voyant leur audace, fit mettre le feu partout dans le village de Norrent et de Fontes ; les habitants devant leur village en feu et en flammes, se réfugièrent dans l'église.

Les soldats français, incendièrent l'église. Le feu prit avec telle violence dans la charpente de la tour que tous ceux qui étaient retirés dans l'église et dans la tour furent tous étouffés et brûlés au nombre de cent et quarante-deux personnes tant hommes que femmes.

Sources : L’Eglise

Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 01/01/1499

Age of Church building determined by?: Church website

If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Catholic

If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: From: 9:00 AM To: 6:00 PM

If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Saturday

Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: 6:00 PM

Street address of Church:
Rue de l'église
Norrent-Fontes, Pas-de-Calais France
62120

Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link]

Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link]
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pmaupin visited Eglise Saint-Vaast - Norrent-Fontes, France 12/16/2020 pmaupin visited it