Caudry

Caudry ( ) is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. Its inhabitants are called the 'Caudrésiens'. The town is mostly known as the Capital City of French Lace (along with Calais). Caudry station has rail connections to Douai, Cambrai, Paris, Lille and Saint-Quentin.

Caudry ( ) is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. Its inhabitants are called the 'Caudrésiens'. The town is mostly known as the Capital City of French Lace (along with Calais). Caudry station has rail connections to Douai, Cambrai, Paris, Lille and Saint-Quentin.

History

In the Middle Ages, as tradition will have it, Maxellende, a daughter of the lord of Caudry, was stabbed to death by one Harduin d'Amerval on 13 November 670 after turning him down. Following this Harduin became blind. However it is said that he recovered his sight as his victim's body was carried past him during its translation. Since then Maxellende has been the patron saint of Caudry and of the blind or partially sighted. ]] In the 19th century Caudry started specializing in tulle and lace making. The first loom was installed in 1826 with parts smuggled from England. By 1913 there were some 650 looms employing several thousand workers. The population expanded from 1,926 in 1804 to 13,360 in 1911. Caudry was shelled and burnt during the August 1914 Battle of Le Cateau, where it was on the left flank of the line of the retreating British Expeditionary Force. It remained under German occupation until recaptured in late 1918. Today Caudry remains, with Calais, the only town in France where lace is still made. A lace museum has been opened in a former workshop in the town centre.

Population

Twin towns

Caudry is twinned with: Wedel, Germany

See also

Communes of the Nord department

References

External links

Caudry official website Aujourd'hui à Caudry Lace museum / Musée de la dentelle website

Text derived from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364836492 under CC BY-SA 4.0; modifications have been made.