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
Commune
The town hall of Lillers
The town hall of Lillers
Coat of arms of Lillers
Coat of arms
Location of Lillers
Lillers is located in France
Lillers
Lillers
Lillers is located in Hauts-de-France
Lillers
Lillers
Coordinates: 50°33′52″N 2°28′59″E
CountryFrance
RegionHauts-de-France
DepartmentPas-de-Calais
ArrondissementBéthune
CantonLillers
IntercommunalityCA Béthune-Bruay, Artois-Lys Romane
Government
 • Mayor (2014–2020) Pascal Barois
Area
1
26.9 km2 (10.4 sq mi)
Population
 (2010)
10,050
 • Density370/km2 (970/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
62516 /62190
Elevation18–88 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

In 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

In 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]

References
  1. "History Lillers". Site Officiel de la Ville de Lillers (in French). Retrieved 2009-12-01.
  2. "Lillers Cemetery". Retrieved 2009-12-01.
  3. "Lillers Communal Cemetery and Extension". Archived from the original on 2009-04-14. Retrieved 2009-12-01.

Other websites
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lillers.


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