Maubeuge (ancient
Malbodium, from
Latin, derived from the
Old Frankish name
Malboden, meaning "assizes of Boden") owes its origin to
Maubeuge Abbey, a double
monastery, for men and women, founded in the 7th century by
Saint Aldego, the
relics of whom are preserved in the
church. It subsequently belonged to the territory of
Hainaut. The town was part of the
Spanish Netherlands and changed hands a number of times before it was finally ceded to France in the 1678
Treaty of Nijmegen. As part of
Vauban's
pré carré plan that protected France's northern borders with a double line of fortresses, it was extensively fortified as directed by
Louis XIV of France. with a flag as an appreciation from the town which was taken by the division on 9 November 1918. Major-General
Torquhil Matheson is seen receiving the flag, 14 November 1918.
Besieged in 1793 by Prince
Josias of
Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, it was relieved by the
victory of Wattignies, which is commemorated by a
monument in the town. It was unsuccessfully besieged in 1814, but was compelled to capitulate, after a vigorous resistance, in the
Hundred Days. As a
fortress, Maubeuge has an old enceinte of bastion trace which serves as the center of an important entrenched camp of 18 miles perimeter. The fortress was constructed after the
War of 1870 but has since been modernized and augmented. The forts were
besieged in
World War I by the
German Empire. Maubeuge suffered heavily in
World War II: 90% of the town centre was destroyed by bombardments in May 1940. Fighting again occurred in early September 1944, in and around the outskirts of Maubeuge, involving units of the
U.S. 1st Infantry Division during the American push toward
Belgium. After the war the town was rebuilt: the new buildings culminated in the new
Hôtel de Ville which was completed in 1970.
Heraldry ==Geography==