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ARRAS - 3 reference results
Arras, Treaty of. 1 Treaty of 1435, between King Charles VII of France and Duke Philip the Good of Burgundy. Through it, France and Burgundy became reconciled. Philip deserted his English allies and recognized Charles as king of France. In return, Philip received the Somme towns and was exempted from homage to the crown. Charles also agreed to punish the murderers of Philip's father, Duke John of Burgundy. 2 Treaty of 1482, between King Louis XI of France and the local governments of the Netherlands, following the death of Mary of Burgundy. In 1483 Mary's widower, Archduke Maximilian of Austria (later Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I), reluctantly accepted the treaty. The acquisition of Burgundy by France was recognized. Maximilian's infant daughter, Margaret of Austria, was to marry the dauphin (later King Charles VIII), bringing Artois and Franche-Comté as dowry. Maximilian's infant son (later King Philip I of Castile) was to do homage for Flanders to France. When Charles VIII married Anne of Brittany, Maximilian forced him to restore Margaret's dowry by the Treaty of Senlis (1493).
Arras, city (1990 pop. 42,715), capital of Pas-de-Calais dept., and historic capital of Artois, N France, on the canalized Scarpe River. It is a communications, farm, and industrial center, with oil works and factories making machinery, metal products, and esparto goods. Of Gallo-Roman origin, it became an episcopal see c.500. It was granted (1180) a commercial charter by the crown and enjoyed international importance in banking and trade. By the 14th cent. it had become a center of wealth and culture, renowned particularly for tapestry. It was nearly destroyed during the wars between Burgundy and France (15th cent.), which ended with the Treaty of Arras (1435). Occupied (1492) by the Spaniards, Arras was conquered (1630) by the French; French possession was confirmed (1659) in the Peace of the Pyrenees. Heavy bombardments in World War I destroyed much of the town, and it was further damaged in World War II. Nevertheless it retains much of its old Spanish-Flemish flavor. The town square, bordered by 17th-century buildings, forms a notable ensemble of Flemish architecture. The damaged town hall (16th cent.) and the Abbey of St. Vaast (18th cent.; now housing a museum) have been restored. The house where Robespierre was born still stands. A school of agriculture is there.
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