Martigné-Ferchaud

Martigné-Ferchaud Marzhinieg-Houarnruz
The church of Saint-Pierre The church of Saint-Pierre
Coat of arms of Martigné-Ferchaud Coat of arms
Martigné-Ferchaud
Location within Brittany region Martigné-Ferchaud
Coordinates:
Country	France
Region	Brittany
Department	Ille-et-Vilaine
Arrondissement	Fougères-Vitré
Canton	Retiers
Intercommunality	Pays de la Roche-aux-Fées
Government
• Mayor (2014–2020)	Pierre Jégu
Area1	74.10 km2 (28.61 sq mi)
Population (2008)2	2,650
• Density	36/km2 (93/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code	35167 / 35640
Elevation	42–234 m (138–768 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Martigné-Ferchaud (Breton: Marzhinieg-Houarnruz, Gallo: Marteinyaé-Fèrchaud) is a commune in the Ille-et-Vilaine department of Brittany in northwestern France.

Etymology

The name "Martigné" is thought to date from the Gallo-Roman period, the place being named after the first Roman governor of the area, known to have been named Martinus. The place-name was recorded in 1218 as Martigneum. The origin of the second part of the name is less clear. In French fer chaud means hot iron, and the two most likely origins are the practice of shoeing horses with hot iron and the local iron working industry.

Geography

The town lies in the middle of the commune, on the left bank of the River Semnon, which flows westwards through the commune.

History

In ancient times the town was part of the Riedones, one of the five Breton federations. Following the Roman invasion of 56 BC, it became part of the Province of Lyonnaise, under Governor Martinus.

Situated on the Roman road from Angers to Rennes, it was a main crossing point on the Semnon. It is believed to have had a small Roman garrison due to its strategic position as a river crossing and as a centre for arms manufacture. The Roman legions withdrew from Gaul in 410AD.

During the feudal period, justice was administered by the local lord, who was required to give service to his sovereign. The service required of the lord of Martigné Ferchaud was two horsemen fully equipped, while that of Vitre was five men-at-arms.

The lord of Martigne had the right of High Justice, including capital crime. Martigné Ferchaud was one of the larger country towns in the region and was subject to the barony of Vitre. The title became associated by marriage with that of Chateaubriant in the 11th century.

Though predominantly an area of agriculture, metal smelting and working continued in Martigné from Roman times until the early 20th century.

Population

Inhabitants of Martigné-Ferchaud are called Martignolais in French.

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1962	3,168	—
1968	3,227	+1.9%
1975	3,285	+1.8%
1982	3,150	−4.1%
1990	2,920	−7.3%
1999	2,634	−9.8%
2008	2,650	+0.6%

See also

• Communes of the Ille-et-Vilaine department

References

• INSEE

• Mayors of Ille-et-Vilaine Association (French)
• "Le Pays de Martigne Ferchaud" Yves Breton 1985

External links

• French Ministry of Culture list for Martigné-Ferchaud (French)