Vendée

History

The area today called the Vendée was originally known as the Bas-Poitou. In the south-east corner, the village of Nieul-sur-l'Autise is believed to be the birthplace of Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204) and was part of her Kingdom. Eleanor's son, Richard I of England (the Lionhearted) often based himself in Talmont. The Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) turned much of the Vendée into a battleground.

Related Topics:
Eleanor of Aquitaine - 1122 - 1204 - Richard I of England - Talmont - Hundred Years' War - 1337 - 1453

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Since the Vendée held a considerable number of influential Protestants, including control by Jeanne d'Albret, the region was also greatly marked by the 36-year French Wars of Religion which broke out in 1562. Eventually King Henri IV, issued the Edict of Nantes and the Wars came to an end. When the Edict of Nantes was revoked in 1685, it caused many Huguenots to flee from the Vendée.

Related Topics:
Protestants - Jeanne d'Albret - French Wars of Religion - 1562 - King Henri IV - Edict of Nantes - 1685 - Huguenots

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It is also remembered as the place where the peasants revolted against the Revolutionary government in 1793. The bloody conflict, in support of the Monarchy and against the changes imposed on the Roman Catholic Church erupted in defiance of the Revolutionary government's military conscription. A guerrilla war, led by an underground faction known as the Chouans (screech owls), known as the Revolt in the Vendée and would cost more than 100,000 lives until it ended in 1796.

Related Topics:
Revolutionary - 1793 - Roman Catholic Church - Conscription - Guerrilla - Chouans - Revolt in the Vendée - 1796

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In 1850, British author, Anthony Trollope, published his book "La Vendee" detailing the history of the region and the war. In the preface he pays tribute to Madame de Larochejaquelein on whose memoirs of the war he based his story.

Related Topics:
1850 - British - Anthony Trollope

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