Moreuil | |
---|---|
Commune | |
Coordinates: 49°46′31″N 2°29′02″E / 49.7753°N 2.4839°ECoordinates: 49°46′31″N 2°29′02″E / 49.7753°N 2.4839°E | |
Country | France |
Region | Hauts-de-France |
Department | Somme |
Arrondissement | Montdidier |
Canton | Moreuil |
Intercommunality | Avre Luce Moreuil |
Government | |
• Mayor (2001–2008) | Pierre Boulanger |
Area1 | 23.43 km2 (9.05 sq mi) |
Population (2006)2 | 4,040 |
• Density | 170/km2 (450/sq mi) |
Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
• Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
INSEE/Postal code | 80570 /80110 |
Elevation | 32–113 m (105–371 ft) (avg. 42 m or 138 ft) |
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. |
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
Moreuil is a commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France.
Moreuil is situated on the D920 and D935 crossroads, some 13 miles (21 km) southeast of Amiens, on the banks of the Avre River.
Known by several names over the years, Morolium (1103), Moroil (1183), Moruel, Moroilum, Moroiel, Moreul (1240), Moureul, Moureuil (1340), Morveul, Morvels and finally Moreuil, the commune has ancient origins. Flint tools have been found here and the presence of tall boundary stones indicates pre-Roman settlement. Moreuil comes from a Celtic word meaning ‘sea’. Moreuil is found on the Roman road that links Compiègne, Montdidier and Amiens which explains the number of Gallo-Roman finds in the vicinity.
First mentioned around 800 as a fort and square on the river Avre, it was sacked by the Normans. The lords of Moreuil rendered great service to the Kings of France during the Crusades. One was created a Knight of the Order of Malta. During the Hundred Years War, Moreuil suffered through blood and fire. It was taken, won back and re-taken by the Burgundians.
During the Wars of Religion, it was one of the strongest supporters of the Catholic League In 1574 the towns’s two schools were burnt down, but reconstructed thanks to the benefices of Cardinal Antoine de Créquy, Bishop of Amiens and abbot of Moreuil.