Lillers
Lillers is a commune. It is found in the region Nord-Pas-de-Calais in the Pas-de-Calais department in the north of France.
Lillers | |
---|---|
The town hall of Lillers | |
Coordinates: 50°33′52″N 2°28′59″E / 50.5644°N 2.4831°E | |
Country | France |
Region | Hauts-de-France |
Department | Pas-de-Calais |
Arrondissement | Béthune |
Canton | Lillers |
Intercommunality | CA Béthune-Bruay, Artois-Lys Romane |
Government | |
• Mayor (2014–2020) | Pascal Barois |
Area 1 | 26.9 km2 (10.4 sq mi) |
Population (2010) | 10,050 |
• Density | 370/km2 (970/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
INSEE/Postal code | 62516 /62190 |
Elevation | 18–88 m (59–289 ft) (avg. 29 m or 95 ft) |
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. |
History
changeIn the year 700 AD, two Irish princes, Lugli and Luglien, were on a pilgrimage to Rome. On the road between Boulogne and Thérouanne, near Ferfay, they were attacked and killed by robbers. Their servants buried the bodies, but they were moved by a storm to the castle of the Bishop of Thérouanne. This was seen to be a miracle. When the Normans invaded, the bodies, now holy relics, were moved to a safer place on an island with a marsh all around it. Years later, the sister of the princes, Lilia, came to pray at the chapel built to hold the relics. The town was named Lillers, after her.[1]
World War 1
changeIn World War I, Lillers was the site of a big British military hospital. Nearly 900 soldiers are buried in the cemetery.[2] They include two winners of the Victoria Cross, Corporal William Richard Cotter and Major David Nelson.[3]
Related pages
changeReferences
change- ↑ "History Lillers". Site Officiel de la Ville de Lillers (in French). Archived from the original on 2003-11-27. Retrieved 2009-12-01.
- ↑ "Lillers Cemetery". Retrieved 2009-12-01.
- ↑ "Lillers Communal Cemetery and Extension". Archived from the original on 2009-04-14. Retrieved 2009-12-01.
Other websites
change- Official commune website Archived 2003-11-27 at the Wayback Machine
- Lillers on the Quid website (in French)