Once, Vendin-le-Vieil was just a name in old abbey records. Now, it stands as a living testament to centuries of shifting borders and resilient people.
Vendin-le-Vieil is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department. It lies in the Hauts-de-France region of France. Today, we will explore its story together.
The story of Vendin-le-Vieil is deeply rooted in history. Its name “Wendinium” first appeared in 996. It was written in the annals of the Saint-Pierre de Gand abbey. Imagine this village witnessing invasions by Vandals. Then came the Franks and over a century of English rule.
Vendin-le-Vieil found itself within the County of Artois. Its borders changed over the centuries. It was influenced by neighboring counties like Boulogne and Flanders. The village stood at the heart of numerous wars.
The area roughly corresponds to the land of the Celtic Atrebates tribe. Their capital, Nemetocenna, eventually became Arras. The Romans included it in the province of 2nd Belgium. Later, the Franks conquered it in the 5th century. Charles the Bald gave it to his daughter Judith in 863. She married Baldwin Iron Arm, Count of Flanders.
After being held by the Counts of Flanders, France took over in 1180. Saint Louis granted it to his younger brother Robert in 1237. In 1382, Artois joined Flanders. Through royal marriages, it became part of the Duchy of Burgundy. Later, Mary of Burgundy’s marriage brought Artois to the House of Austria.
The years 1437 and 1438 brought plague and famine. Vendin-le-Vieil’s population declined sharply. The County of Artois lost almost half its inhabitants between 1300 and 1469. By 1469, only 44 households remained in the village.
From 1515 to 1559, war was nearly constant. France and Charles Quint battled for Artois. Peace and prosperity finally arrived under Archdukes Albert and Isabella. This was during the Spanish period.
In 1569, Philip II imposed a tax on capital. Thanks to this “hundredth penny” tax, we know that Vendin-le-Vieil had grown to 82 households. That is about 250 residents.
This peace ended when France reconquered Artois. War ravaged the land again from 1635 to 1659. Even though Louis XIV’s wars mainly occurred in Flanders, Artois suffered greatly in 1676 and 1710. In 1698, Vendin-le-Vieil had only 31 households and 181 inhabitants.
Vendin-le-Vieil had two coal mining sites. These were pits 8 and 10. They belonged to the Lens mining company. Important coal processing plants also existed here. There was a coking plant closed in 1978. Also there was a central washing facility closed in early 1983. There was a riverbank for shipping coal by barge and a power plant. There were large stock parks and a locomotive maintenance station.
Pit 8 was next to the HGD factory which was demolished not long ago. It had two wells. It closed in 1958. However, the wells served for some time for the service.
The Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 ended the War of the Spanish Succession. Vendin-le-Vieil and all of Artois finally regained prosperity. When the revolution broke out, the village had 745 residents. Célestin Deleruelle became the first elected mayor in February 1790. He replaced the bailiff, Jean-Baptiste-Hyacinthe Dubois.
Today, Vendin-le-Vieil stands as more than just a historical footnote. It’s a vibrant community. It continues to evolve while cherishing its past. As you explore, remember the countless generations who shaped this land. Their struggles and triumphs echo in the streets and buildings around us. Vendin-le-Vieil is a testament to enduring spirit.