Did you know that the Allée du Vermandois whispers tales of a time long past? It speaks of a tribe called the Viromandui. They were the original inhabitants of this land. The Allée du Vermandois is more than just a street. It is a link to a rich history.
The Viromandui were a Gaulish tribe. They lived in the area before the Roman conquest. Their territory was known as Vermandois. Vermand was their capital. It was a significant settlement during that era. The Allée du Vermandois reminds us of their legacy.
Vermand’s history stretches back to prehistoric times. An ancient biface workshop was discovered here. Celts from Northern Europe settled this area. They were known as Belgae by the Romans. These tribes inhabited the lands along the Somme, Oise and Aisne rivers.
Before Julius Caesar, Vermand had a central oppidum. This was a fortified settlement. It provided shelter during invasions. The oppidum stood on the banks of the Omignon River. Ditches defended it. Vermand served as the capital of the Viromandui.
In 57 BC, Caesar intervened against the Belgae tribes. He fought the Viromandui near the Sambre River. The Viromandui were defeated. Caesar occupied their land. It is believed that he also seized the oppidum of Vermand.
Few Roman Empire medals were found in Vermand. In the 3rd to 5th centuries, a substantial civilian population lived outside the military camp. These settlements included Villecholles, Bihécourt, Soyécourt and Marteville.
Germanic incursions devastated the town. Survivors gathered around Vermand. They re-established their civil administration. Possibly, they also restored religious functions here.
Emperor Constantine granted peace to the Church through the Edict of Milan in 313 AD. Before the discovery of Saint Quentin’s body in 342 AD, a bishopric was established in Vermand. Vermand’s population remained small until the mid-11th century. Its residents depended on the parish of Misery-en-Carnois. They did not have their own parish until 1068.
Around 407 AD, the Vandals and Goths destroyed the region. A new population began to repopulate the area. This started at the end of the 5th century. It continued into the 6th and 7th centuries.
Around 470 AD, the Huns sacked Vermand. Saint Médard, Bishop of Vermand, retreated to Noyon. Vermand could not recover from its ruins. In 531 AD, Noyon became the seat of the bishopric. Vermand faded in importance.
In 881 AD, a large Norman army swept through the Somme region. Vermand succumbed to their invasion. By 1059, Herbert IV, the last count of Vermandois, bequeathed property to the church of Vermand. Clerics were assigned there. Vermand was just a small village.
Around 1144 AD, the Bishop of Noyon requested that the Prémontré order send monks to Vermand. The lordship was shared between the Counts of Vermandois. Later, the King of France ceded it to the chapter of Saint-Quentin in 1291. The bishops of Noyon also held power here.
The Allée du Vermandois stands as a reminder of this vibrant history. It echoes the stories of the Viromandui. They shaped the land long before Paris became the city we know today. Take a moment to reflect on the passage of time and the enduring spirit of this place.