Thursday 22 January 2015

Where did all the English go?

Dear Val

From the eleventh century until the mid fifteenth century English influence in France was enormous. The kings of England effectively ruled large parts of France and it all culminated in the 100 years war (1337-1453). It is accepted that Gascony was one of the main areas of English influence and the Gasgons who were mercenaries for the English army. However exactly how far did this influence go into the Tarn,

We know that the area around here was a border between the English and the French. Tradition has it that the English took Puycelsi twice while the French recaptured it three times. Last weekend we received documentary proof that the church here had had a chapel dedicated to St George before 1560 and probably from its foundation. This information, contained in a monograph in the Tarn archieves showed that it also had a chapel dedicated to St Eutrope a thrid century martyr who was venerated by soldiers from the area just above Gasgony. In Cahuzac sur Vere the church is dedicated to St Thomas à Becket. Near Careiche there is a hamlet called St George;

Is does any TAG reader who knows of anything and can help me get a better picture. I'd like to know if there are churches, chapels, carvings, hamlets, fields or farms dedicated to or called St George or any other English Saint? Does St Eutrope figure as a local name?  If we could build up a map of places where these names are found it might give clues to the actual medieval border between France and 'England' was.

Or has this work already been done, in which case I would appreciate the name of the person who can help me and prevent me trying to reinvent the wheel.  

Happy New Year -i'm just in time and I dont think I have been in touch since I came back from holiday in December!
Thank you
Ginny
Happy New Year Ginny to you and Ross. That is fascinating and I wonder if we have any readers who may know more. Keep us informed, we are interested.
Val says there is a church between Varen and Verfeil called St. Eutrope, disused now but on a pretty walk we take next to the Seye. I will try to find out more about it.
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