Pernes, Pas-de-Calais

Pernes
Commune
The town hall and festival hall of Pernes
Pernes
Location within Hauts-de-France region  Pernes
Coordinates: 50°29′06″N 2°24′41″E / 50.485°N 2.4114°E / 50.485; 2.4114Coordinates: 50°29′06″N 2°24′41″E / 50.485°N 2.4114°E / 50.485; 2.4114
Country	France
Region	Hauts-de-France
Department	Pas-de-Calais
Arrondissement	Arras
Canton	Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise
Intercommunality	Pernois
Government
• Mayor (2008–2014)	Jean-Marie Olivier
Area1	4.58 km2 (1.77 sq mi)
Population (2006)2	1,690
• Density	370/km2 (960/sq mi)
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
INSEE/Postal code	62652 /62550
Elevation	70–182 m (230–597 ft) (avg. 83 m or 272 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.

Pernes (or Pernes-en-Artois) is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France.

Pernes lies halfway between Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise and Lillers, on the junction of the D70 and D916 roads. It is crossed by the river Clarence, the source of which is in the neighbouring village of Sains-lès-Pernes, at a place known as "Le Buich".

The town can be accessed by SNCF TER (Regional Express Train) services to Pernes-Camblain station, with connections to Calais, Boulogne-Sur-Mer, and Lille.

Of Roman origin, written evidence of the existence of Pernes dates back to around 823. The town depended on the wealthy Abbey of Saint-Riquier. Because of countless invasions, the town's defenses were strengthened over centuries into a true fortress. The Lords of the Manor built an impregnable castle on a mound surrounded by marshland. As with many French towns in the Middle Ages, Pernes was governed feudally by a succession of lords. The first of these authorities were the Counts of St. Pol. In 1569, they were still the masters of the castle, mill, gardens, marshes and all important buildings within their jurisdiction.

In 1627, the domain and the barony were sold to François of Cuinchy. His son, in debt, had to yield it to his creditor, Pierre de Predhomme d'Hailly, in 1648. The town remained under the management of the Cuinchy family until the line died out, in 1772. Afterwards, the lordship passed to the count of Wassier. In spite of the emigration of the count abroad, in 1792, the French Revolution did not strip the family of their property rights, as they were of Belgian nationality.

In 1520, the town was host to Francis I, as he prepared for his battle with Henry VIII, that resulted in the Field of the Cloth of Gold .