History of Leers
Leers from the German laer, extends over 540 ha. Populated with 9708 inhabitants, it is crossed by the canal of Roubaix and the Espierre river. Its name is mentioned from 1106 while the entity depends on the abbey of Hasnon.
The great characteristic of the city lies in its division in 1779
The treaty of the limits from Louis XV and Marie Thérèse of Austria imposed a border which cuts the commune. This division is confirmed in 1820 by the treaty of Courtrai. So, 2/5th of the initial territory (940 ha) is situated today in Belgium under the name of Leers Nord.
The history of the city is also marked by its industrial activity. From the 18th century, the inhabitants live on the agriculture and work the linen with the "otil", at home.
In 1870, Edouard Motte, already owner of a textile factory in Roubaix, open a weaving factory on Leers which will stop its activity in 1982.
The Motte-Bossut tower ( 1895 ) still dominates the commune and testifies of this industrial past which largely modified the demographic and social aspect of Leers.
The architectural patrimony is represented by the mill and the church.
The «white mill » - 1852
Symbol of the commune, it stop any activity in 1914 then fall in ruin.
In 1973, the municipality acquires it and organizes a referendum. 76 % of Leersois pronounce in favour of his its restoration.
Inaugurated in 1976, it since is put at the honor each year at the time of traditional Fêtes of the mill (3rd weekend of June).
the church of Leers
47 meters high the church of Leers, date of the XIIIth century.
Victim of the wars and the fires , it is restored on 4 occasions.
So, the left side aisle carries the date of 1663, year of its renovation. Weakened by time, the walls of the tower are connected in 1834 by an iron corset.
We speak since then about "bell-tower connected" to indicate the church.
Finally, the building was built in the respect for the golden section and for the symbolism of the numbers
The armorial bearings of Leers are those of the abbey of Hasnon, lord of Leers
Leers through the ages
1106
First known Leers on the right altar (records of the Abbey of Hasnon)1147
Pope Eugene III confirms the rights of the Abbey of Hason's Leers territory by a patent letter.1265
Agreement between the abbey and Hasnon Arnoul, Castellan of Tournai on the rights of the latter at Leers, ratified in 1266 by Marguerite Countess of Flanders and Hainaut.1268
Jehan Leers, mayors, assigns to the Abbey of Hasnon 10 pounds of guaranteed annual pension by tithes owned1269
Agnes, widow of Jehan, Mayeur de Leers, Eloi and their son, give the "town hall" of Leers at the Abbey of Hasnon.1278
The Bishop of Tournai approves the transfers made by Jehan de Leers, his wife and their son.1288
Arnulf, Abbot of Hasnon, having contracted an important loan, the property of the Abbey from Leers are assigned as guarantee.1340
During the siege of Tournai belligerents devastate the region and commit significant looting in Leers.1387
Date of the oldest document relating to the "tenants" of the seigneury of Kevaucamp (Quévaucamps) to Leers. It gives a list of leers people.1449
The tax investigation of Lille Châtellerie reported the peasant situation in Leers.1477
On this occasion, the French garrison of Tournai looting the surrounding villages which Leers and destroyed the castle of the Royère.1566
Protestant troops burned the church of Leers who is very seriously damaged, its gradual restoration lasted until 1650.1628
King Philip IV of Spain establishes a stronghold in the Motterie Leers as county in reward Claude de Lannoy lord of the Motterie. The family of Lannoy had this fee more than two centuries.1656
François in Ghent, Bishop of Tournay, comes to Leers to devote two altars, one to the Virgin Mary, and the other to St Vaast.1658
Just repair the church was again burned by pillars soldiers, the repair will last until 1688.1661
The Bishop of Tournai comes to Leers bless three bells and give confirmation to the village children1668
Leers passes under obedience French1693
The church is on fire once again by deserters soldiers1742
An epidemic causes the death of 134 people at Leers (the village at this time had approximately 800 people)1748
The lightning falls on the church steeple is greatly deteriorated.1769
Initially, the entire Leers is given to France1779
Sharing Leers in two territories (Leers France - Leers Nord)1789
Leers delegates André Joseph Plouvier, Louis-Joseph Defrennes and Louis Joseph Salembier to go to Lille and to elect representatives of the third state of the “Châtellenie” of Lille.1790
The first mayor of Leers election: Jacques Bracaval, is elected.Leers is occupied by Austrian troops during the Battle of Tourcoing.
1798
The Church, sold on 28 April as national property, is purchased by a named Jouvenaux that la subsequently ceded to François Quique.1803
During the 19th century, the increase in the number of inhabitants is relatively high. The French went to 1007 people.1848
Leers and leersois in the 2nd Republic1871
An important cotton weaving is built at the entrance of the village, on the road of Roubaix by the company Motte-Bossut and other tissues the Parent company and the Bayart home factories is implanted in Leers.1906
On march 5th, inventory of the church under the law, resistance and serious incidents.1914
From 22 August 1914 to 11 November 1918, Leers occupied by the German army.1940
End May 1940 to 1 September 1944, Leers occupied by the German army.1944
April 29 : A U.S. plane is shot and falls rue Victor Hugo in the Desmet park.
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49, rue du Maréchal Leclerc
59115 Leers
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