| From
1019 to 1284, under the Counts of Champagne, Provins will
knows
its
greater prosperity.
They founded
few religious establishments which they equipped richly, one
counted more than twenty churches, vaults, convents and hospital
institutions. They encouraged the creation of manufactures of
cloths, leathers and cutlery which acquired a great reputation
and created fairs which became famous in all Europe :
the fairs of Champagne.
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Church Saint-Quiriace - Triforium - Detail
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Convent of the Cordelieres
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These
fairs were three per year and last several
by weeks : the fair of Saint-Martin in November,
the fair of Saint-Ayoul in September, the fair
of May towards the Rise.
A great number of European
bankers established counters in Provins and the
Counts of Champagne made a special currency of
Provins which runs all around Europe during all
the Middle Ages.
During the Twelfth Century,
the city was girded
fortified walls also protecting a brilliant
court receiving poets and intellectuals
sometimes persecuted .
Taking part in a crusade
Thibaut "the Chansonnier" brought
back a red rose " Rosa Gallica " says now the
"rose of Provins".
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Roses of Provins
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Remparts of the ville-haute
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As of the XIII century end,
prosperous times touched at their end.
The last Count Robert
III says "the Large" established taxes
which the industrial population found too
heavy and inequitable. Revolts burst on
several occasions, most terrible was the
winter 1279. The mayor "Guillaume de
Pentecoste" prolonged of one hour the
working day . The workmen raised
themselves taking the weapons, massacred
the mayor and ransacked the houses of the
aldermen.
The king of France, tutor of the young
orphan princess "Jeanne de Navarre"
future
wife of "Philippe le Beau" (marriage
which attached the Champagne County to the
kingdom of France), sent these officers to
restore the order and removed at the city
all its privileges.
Provins will never find
its last importance and its activities.
Its fairs were gradually deserted,
like its so productive workshops before.
The essential activity of the city will go
on the agriculture. |
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