Mortemer, Seine-Maritime
Encyclopedia
Mortemer is a commune
in the Seine-Maritime
department in the Haute-Normandie
region in northern France
.
and farming village situated in the valley of the river Eaulne
in the Pays de Bray
, some 23 miles (37 km) southeast of Dieppe
at the junction of the D7, D36 and the D929 roads. The A29 autoroute
passes through the territory of the commune.
in February 1054.
This village is possibly the source of the medieval family name of Mortimer
. The nature of the family's relations confused Robert of Torigni
, one of the authors of the Gesta Normannorum Ducum
. He claims that Roger of Mortemer was the brother of "William
, later to be Earl of Surrey
". But possibly Robert missed out a generation, as he did in dealing with the family history of the Montgomery
s.
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
in the Seine-Maritime
Seine-Maritime
Seine-Maritime is a French department in the Haute-Normandie region in northern France. It is situated on the northern coast of France, at the mouth of the Seine, and includes the cities of Rouen and Le Havre...
department in the Haute-Normandie
Haute-Normandie
Upper Normandy is one of the 27 regions of France. It was created in 1984 from two départements: Seine-Maritime and Eure, when Normandy was divided into Lower Normandy and Upper Normandy. This division continues to provoke controversy, and some continue to call for reuniting the two regions...
region in northern France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Geography
A small forestryForestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
and farming village situated in the valley of the river Eaulne
Eaulne
The river Eaulne is one of the rivers that flow from the plateau of the eastern Pays de Caux in the Seine-Maritime département of Haute-Normandie in northern France. The Eaulne’s source is at Mortemer...
in the Pays de Bray
Pays de Bray
The Pays de Bray is a small natural region of France situated to the north-east of Rouen, straddling the French départements of the Seine-Maritime and Oise...
, some 23 miles (37 km) southeast of Dieppe
Dieppe, Seine-Maritime
Dieppe is a commune in the Seine-Maritime department in France. In 1999, the population of the whole Dieppe urban area was 81,419.A port on the English Channel, famous for its scallops, and with a regular ferry service from the Gare Maritime to Newhaven in England, Dieppe also has a popular pebbled...
at the junction of the D7, D36 and the D929 roads. The A29 autoroute
A29 autoroute
The A29 is a motorway in Normandy, northern France. The road is also European Route 44.-Route:The road connects the port of Le Havre with the A26 autoroute at Saint-Quentin...
passes through the territory of the commune.
History
Site of the battle of MortemerBattle of Mortemer
For 16 years the Norman realms of the young William I of England, then known as Duke William II, were gravely threatened by other Norman barons and also by the French King. This was because William came to power at age seven....
in February 1054.
This village is possibly the source of the medieval family name of Mortimer
Mortimer
Mortimer is a popular English name, used both as a surname and a given name.- Norman origins :The origin of the name is almost certainly Norman, but the details are disputed....
. The nature of the family's relations confused Robert of Torigni
Robert of Torigni
Robert of Torigni was a Norman monk and chronicler. He was born at Torigni-sur-Vire in central Normandy, at an unknown date. He entered the monastery of Le Bec in 1128 and became prior there about 1149. He was elected abbot of Mont-Saint-Michel in 1154, and served there until his death.Robert was...
, one of the authors of the Gesta Normannorum Ducum
Gesta Normannorum Ducum
Gesta Normannorum Ducum is a chronicle originally created by the monk William of Jumièges just before 1060. In 1070 William I had William of Jumièges extend the work to detail his rights to the throne of England. In later times, Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni Gesta Normannorum Ducum (Deeds...
. He claims that Roger of Mortemer was the brother of "William
William de Warenne, 1st Earl of Surrey
William de Warenne, 1st Earl of Surrey, Seigneur de Varennes is one of the very few proven Companions of William the Conqueror known to have fought at the Battle of Hastings in 1066...
, later to be Earl of Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
". But possibly Robert missed out a generation, as he did in dealing with the family history of the Montgomery
Roger de Montgomerie, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury
Roger de Montgomerie , also known as Roger the Great de Montgomery, was the first Earl of Shrewsbury. His father was also Roger de Montgomerie, and was a relative, probably a grandnephew, of the Duchess Gunnor, wife of Duke Richard I of Normandy...
s.
Population
| 1962 | 1968 | 1975 | 1982 | 1990 | 1999 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 136 | 139 | 110 | 124 | 121 | 107 | 109 |
| Starting in 1962: Population without duplicates | ||||||
Places of interest
- The church of St.Martin, dating from the eighteenth century.
- Ruins of a twelfth century Cistercian abbeyAbbeyAn abbey is a Catholic monastery or convent, under the authority of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serves as the spiritual father or mother of the community.The term can also refer to an establishment which has long ceased to function as an abbey,...
. - Ruins of the donjon of the twelfth century castle.
See also
- Communes of the Seine-Maritime department
- Seine-MaritimeSeine-MaritimeSeine-Maritime is a French department in the Haute-Normandie region in northern France. It is situated on the northern coast of France, at the mouth of the Seine, and includes the cities of Rouen and Le Havre...
- NormandyNormandyNormandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...