Surely, you’ve heard of Pecq. But what about Warcoing?
Welcome to Warcoing a village with a rich history. It is a part of the Walloon municipality of Pecq. Warcoing sits in the province of Hainaut. It is a place where industry and agriculture meet.
Warcoing’s story dates back centuries. The first mention of Warcoing appeared in 899. Charles the Simple confirmed the abbey of Saint-Amand’s ownership of lands here.
In 1112, a canon named Gédulphe ceded the altar to the Notre-Dame hospital of Tournai. The canon, responsible for the institution then became the patron of the parish.
The count Baudouin V of Hainaut set fire to Roger de Warcoing’s stronghold in 1193. Roger was the son of Roger II. He was also the castellan of Courtrai. This event marked the first mention of both the castle and the lord of Warcoing.
Gauthier de Nevele, still a minor in 1217, gave the tithe of Warcoing. He gave it to the Notre-Dame hospital of Tournai. He received 25 bonniers of land in return. He also received money from the tithe’s revenues.
The lord of Warcoing was the largest landowner in the 14th century. He held one of the four high justices of Tournaisis. Warcoing belonged to the House of Nevele. They were castellans of Courtrai in the 13th century. Later, it belonged to the de Fosseus family. This was in the late 14th and 15th centuries. The de Savary family, the de Landas family and the Nassau-Corroy family followed.
Several fiefs depended on this seigneury. They were Semerpont, Clercamp and Cauchevaque. Others were in Pecq, Hérinnes and Espierres. Still others were in Saint-Léger, Leers and Dottignies.
Guillaume I Petitpas became the lord of Warcoing in the 16th century. His son, Germain Petitpas, later held the title. Auguste Petitpas, Germain’s son, bought nobility in the 17th century. Guillaume II Petitpas, Auguste’s son, inherited the seigneury. François Petitpas, Guillaume II’s son, became a knight.
The Saint-Amand church was built in 1770. It stands in a semi-classical style. The base of the bell tower is from the 15th century. The entrance portal features a 14th-century sculpted frame. The church was remodeled and enlarged in the 19th century.
In the 18th century, wheat, barley and rye grew here. Farmers also cultivated rapeseed and flax. The area produced wool. Five cloth factories operated in Warcoing. There were also a dozen weavers. Two oil mills completed the industrial landscape.
Warcoing also has a darker chapter. In October 1918, numerous houses were destroyed. This happened during bombardments.
Today, Warcoing is also known for its local football club. Olympic de Warcoing is connected to the Belgian Football Association.
Warcoing: a tapestry woven with threads of nobility and industry, agriculture and resilience. It is a village that continues to evolve.