History of Arles

At the entry of the delta of the the Rhone Arles, a town of 2.500 years is, with a not very banal history, that of a borough become imperial residence then capital of a kingdom which declines then gradually until our days in sub-prefecture of the Rhone delta.

Proto-city celto-Ligurian ( Arelate , the city of the marshes), temporarily emporion and quoted Greek with ( Théliné , the feeder), the city passes then under indigenous domination then Marseillaise.

In 46 av. J. - C., it acquires the statute of Roman colony ( COLONIA JVLIA PATERNA ARELATE SEXTANORVM ) then transforms into imperial residence under the emperor Constantin I {{er}} with the nickname of Constantina . In 407, it accommodates to the fall of the Empire, the prefecture of Gaules transferred from Trier and remains then a refuge of the romanity under the Visigoths, Burgondes, Ostrogoths and Francs which in turn takes possession of it. , S, with the invasions, are difficult for the city which is taken and put at the step into 739 by the Carolingiens.

With the the Middle Ages, the city becomes capital Royaume of Arles then residence of the first dynasties of the counts de Provence. After one period of conflicts, during which Arles tests émanciper, the city passes under the domination of the dynasties Angevines and loses little by little its political, commercial and ecclesiastical importance. In 1483, it is finally attached with Provence to the Kingdom of France. Under the Old Mode, Arles embellishes private mansions, and as from years 1850 deeply transforms large agricultural and harbor borough into a working city with the arrival of the railroad. It is finally necessary to await the end of the 19th century to see the city increasing beyond its medieval enclosure and directing themselves towards tourist activities in relation to its historical heritage and its demonstrations.

With this past always present, Arles is classified town of Art and History. The Roman and Romance monuments of the city are registered on the list of the World heritage of humanity since 1981.

Before the Romans

Before

Occupied as of X E by the Ligure , then after the first Celtic migration by the Celto-Ligurians, the site of Arles is attended by Mediterranean tradesmen, Phéniciens and Etrusques in particular.

With the foundation of Marseilles (600 av. J. - C.), the city initially organizes towards the end of the O C in emporion Greek then in colony called Théliné .

At the time of the Celtic push of the beginning of the IV E, the city returns under indigenous domination and takes again its patronym of Arelate and maintains the relations animated with its Marseilles neighbor. At the end of the summer 218 av. J. - C., Hannibal crosses the the Rhone near Arles. Shortly after towards 200 av. J. - C., Arles takes part in the federation of the Salyens founded by a local aristocracy which opposes the city State Marseillaise.

Creation of the Narbonnese

During the II E, Marseilles fighting against Salyens, Arles undergoes extensive damage in a quasi-concomitant way with important believed of the river. The southernmost peripheral districts in the south of the primitive enclosure are then abandoned. After the crushing of the confederation in 122 av. JC, the Romans settle in Provence. Arles is probably attached to the Gaulle founded Narbonnese in 118 av. JC, although certain historians include as of this time the city arlésienne in the zone of influence of Marseilles.

Arles, strategic place

Provence is quickly with the catches with people of the North of Europe which beat the Roman armies with the battles of Arausio (Orange) in 105 av. JC. To prohibit with the cruel troops the access of Italy, the consul Marius intervenes in the area of Arles where it makes dig for logistic reasons, a broad ditch called Fosses Mariennes with the mouth of the the Rhone before crushing the barbarians. After these victories, Marius gives up the use of the new water way to the Marseillais who extend their influence on Arles thus, from now on at the same time river and maritime port.

Roman epoch

Ier front century J.C. : foundation of the colony

After a beginning of century marked by the last revolts salyennes, the chance of Arles occurs in 49 av. JC when the city supports Jules César against Marseilles. In reward of this help, the city becomes a Roman colony (46 av. JC), and César establishes the veterans of the there sixth legion.
On this date, a monumental town-planning is launched bearing on the creation of a strengthened enclosure, the installation of vast public spaces and the construction of the three major buildings: the forum, the arc of the Rhone and the theater. The initial fortune of the city goes back to this time.

I, II and IIIe centuries: Arles Gallo-Roman

Ier century: the extensions flaviennes

At the beginning of the 1st century, Strabon announces the commercial role of the city. The city profits from a new plan of urban development at the end from because of expansion of the city related to economic development and commercial. This new project requires the modification of the northern layout of the first Roman enclosure to allow the construction of the arenas.

IIe century

At the next century, the city again increases with in particular the construction of the Roman circus. Arles is the seat of the important corporation of the nautes and centers it of a cereal agricultural area which exports its corns with Rome.

IIIe century: first invasions and beginning of the church arlésienne

If the Christian legend locates towards 220 - 240 the presence of Saint Trophime the first bishop of Arles, the existence of the Church arlésienne however is proven as of 254. The historical tradition reports that the suburbs of the city would have been plundered by the Alamans, which seems to confirm archeology. Perhaps that work of fortification, following the example those undertaken in many cities is then completed.

IVe century: Arles, imperial city

The urban development begins again only at the beginning of the 4th century, under the emperor Constantin, with a new political and administrative growth. The city becomes an appreciated residence of the emperor who remains there on several occasions.

Having recognized the Catholic religion, Constantin organizes a council in the city, on August 1st 314 to make there condemn the Donatisme. Another follows in 353, at the instigation of his/her son Constance II, which devotes the temporary triumph of the Arianisme. It is of this time which the first sarcophagi paléo-Christians arlésiens date.

The city knows a boom then, in particular thanks to its trade, as underlines it the poet and politician Ausone.

Beginning of Ve century: Arles, capital of Gaules

Probably in 407, the imperial administration moves the prefecture of the court of Gaules located until then at Trier, from now on too exposed, on Arles. The city of Provence consequently knows a true political rebirth one century exactly after Constantin Ier. However, this new role does not exclude the threats from invasions. This double military aspect and political mark the 5th century arlésien.

Arles is successively the residence of the usurper Constantin III of 407 with 411, then of the Patrice Constance. The importance of the city is reinforced in 418 by the emperor Honorius who proclaims Arles place of annual meeting of the seven-provinces. Previously, on March 22nd 417, the pope Zosime had raised the Church of Arles to the row of primatiale of Gaules in favor of his bishop Patrocle.

The city is transformed at the same time by the construction of new Christian buildings and by the appearance of the parasitic dwellings into connection with the population growth due to the transfer of the Prefecture and the search of a protection near the ramparts of the city.

End of Ve century: Arles at the end of the Empire

The presence of the Visigoths installed in Aquitaine since 418 is a permanent threat for the city. In spring 451, Aetius is delayed in the city to obtain reinforcements before facing Attila.

After the death of Valentinien III (455), the federate cruel kings seek to increase their territories. The town of Arles east thus mingled with many events marking the end with the Empire, like the proclamation of Avitus, emperor or the intervention then and the presence of the emperor Majorien in the city. Starting from 471, the events precipitate, initially by the defeat of the Roman troops of the emperor Anthémius, then by a new seat in 472 and finally by the catch of the city in 473. After a restitution of short duration, Euric takes again the town of Arles during the year 476 (or 480) before being made main from all Provence in on this side Durance.

This end of century is marked by the decline of Arles which saw its devastated campaigns and which loses its role of regional capital to the profit of Marseilles. The town of Arles and Provence, weakened and representing the access to the Mediterranean, become thus an object of desire for their neighbors of north.

Early middle ages

6th century

End of the romanity

conflicts of the beginning of the century

Passed under the domination of the king burgonde Gondebaud at the latest in 499 or 500, the city passes by again in 501 at the time of a conflict between Francs and Burgondes under the control of the Visigoths. In the tread, the Francs reconciled with the burgondes of Gondebaud try in their turn to reach the sea. In 502, then at the time of a seat in 507 - 508, they thus try without success to seize the city of Arles. At the time of this second attempt, the besieged city is helped by the Ostrogoths of Théodoric Large the. After the release of the city, king Ostrogoth supplies the inhabitants, finances the restoration of the ramparts and takes the city under his protection.

protectorate ostrogoth

The years 510 - 540 which follow correspond to one period of peace with two famous men: the prefect of the court of Gaules Libérius and the bishop Césaire of Arles which Gospel campaigns. Protected by the benevolent military support from Théodoric, the city escapes until the beginning from the Années 530 with the ambitions Burgondes and Franques.

fastening with the Francs

Threatened in 532 by the Burgondes, then in 534 by Théodebert, the city is sold in 536 with Provence by Ostrogoths. During winter 536/537, the Frank Théodebert wire of Thierry and his uncle Childebert come to take possession of their new acquisition. Arles passes then under the authority of Christian princes and for the first time obeys foreign Scandinavian Masters with the Roman traditions.

Particular bonds are then established between the royalty and the évêché. Thus, in 548, the pope Vigile at the request of the king Childebert Ier names Aurélien vicar of the Saint Sits in Gaules and the Pallium grants to him. The same year, Aurélien bases in Arles a monastery for men on order of king Childebert, and little time after, on June 28th 554, a council is held in Arles under the direction of the energetic bishop Sapaudus.

Catastrophes of the end of the 6th century

Second half of the century is marked by epidemics, disorders and natural disasters.

As of the end of the Years 540, Arles is struck by the Peste, called Peste of Justinien.
The city also undergoes the by-effect of conflicts between Francs neustriens of Gontran (in the west), austrasiens of Sigebert (in the east) after the division of 561 and the creation of the corridor austrasien connecting the Auvergne to Marseilles and insulating Arles. The Provençal territory is also devastated in 574 by the Lombards and in 585 or 587, the city is also affected by the Visigoths. Many authors date from second half of the 6th century construction of a made reduced enclosure of blocks torn off with the Roman monuments to limit the territory to be defended in the event of attaque.
Then the natural disasters come. In 580, a raw history drowns the suburbs of the city; the Roman Cirque devastated will never be rehabilitated. Finally the city and its territory undergo the great famine of 585.
The end of the century is known grace in particular to the papal letters addressed to the bishop Virgilius who succeeds Licerius in 588. The pope reproaches him forced conversions of Jews and the practice of the simony all while entrusting to him the preparations of the mission of evangelization of England.

In less than fifty years, following the disorders and of the plague, the city was folded up on itself. This insecurity and this demographic tragedy ruin agriculture and the famine reigns. At the end of the 6th century, Arles and its territory enter during one difficult period and the defensive vocation of the city becomes paramount then.

7th century: Arles under the Mérovingiens last

With the whole beginning of this century the Provence as the remainder of Gaulle is subjected to very rigorous winters. If the campaigns are depopulated by the demographic crisis which follows the Peste of Justinien, the city seems however flourishing thanks to its port activities. In the same way, the Archevêché of Arles always plays a big role as confirm it, the Pallium and Vicariat conferred by the pope Boniface IV, in 613, with the Florianus bishop.

Under the reign of Clotaire II (613 - 629), Arles which has a monetary workshop, is then managed by the representatives of the branches mérovingiennes, either within the framework of unified Provence, or in a way individualized by a duke. There thus on several occasions exists a Provence arlésienne (in opposition to the Marseilles Provence ), whose presence seems to go hand in hand with the existence, as at the previous century under Gontran, of the corridor austrasien . From 673 - 675, a Patrice resident with Marseilles directs Provence in the name of the frank sovereigns.

One also announces some rare events, like the council of Arles, chaired in 682 by the bishop of the city Felix.

VIIe and VIIIe: the transformation of the trade

At the 7th century, in particular Syrian Eastern merchants concentrate between their hands the import trade as a Gaulle. This one continues at the next century. A diploma of Chilpéric II of 716, indicates for example the food products to us imported and forwarding by Arles or its advanced port Fos. Henri Pirenne underlines however that the exchanges between the Occident and the East strongly decline as of the Sarrasine presence in the Western Mediterranean at the beginning of the 8th century. It notes that Eastern products such as gold, silk, pepper and the papyrus practically disappear under the Carolingians and that the trade enters the Occident and the East is made nothing any more but by the Jewish traders , probably of the Radhanites, only bonds between Islam and Chrétienté.

8th century: the Carolingian resumption in hands

Information available over the 8th century, comprises many gaps; for example one knows no bishop of Arles between 683 and 788.

sarrasine Presence and opposition to the mayors of the Palate

About the middle of the Years 710, disorders are announced in Western Provence. A text of 780 fact echo to a revolt led by the Patrice Antenor against the frank capacity of Pip of Herstal, then of Charles Martel, revolt which is accompanied by spoliations of goods ecclésiastiques.
Ten years later, the danger comes from the Sarrasins. Buckwheats which crossed the the Pyrenees in 720, undertake in 725 large a raid : they take Carcassonne, the Languedoc until Nimes and venture in the valley of the the Rhone until Autun; Arles being/> seems épargnée.
Taken again in hand by the Francs

In 735 - 739, in front of the danger of the troops of Charles Martel, which go down along the Rhone-native furrow until the Languedoc, Arles and Avignon led by the duke Mauronte would have made call for their defense with the latter. According to the Chronic of Frédégaire, Charles Martel seizes and plunders the city in 739. After the victory of the Francs, Arles and the Provence are put at the step with rigor by the Carolingian capacity. The patrices are removed replaced by counts and administrative cutting is fixed on that of the episcopal dioceses.

End of VIIIe and beginning of IXe: Arles and Carolingian Rebirth

However at the end of the century towards 780, appears one boom, the Carolingian Renouveau probably related to the policy change of the Carolingian kings in Provence and Septimanie.
the strength of the development of Christendom generates centrifugal movements leading to the bursting of the diocese of Arles; into 794, with the council of Frankfurt, the archbishop's palace of Arles is divided into three, the dioceses of Embrun and Aix becoming independent. In 800, Théodulf, bishop of Orleans, passage in the city announces all the products which one can find there thanks to his port: Arles is at that time a prosperous free port open on the Mediterranean world.

This revival continues at the beginning of the 9th century with the setting in culture of new grounds. Being on one of the routes of the Christian merchants and Jews which will sell slaves with Cordoue, the city always knows a flourishing trade and probably accommodates a many Jewish community. The Église of Arles also enjoys an important radiation: a council is held in 813 to with it chaired by Jean II, then in 824, its successor, the archbishop of Arles Noton, exchange of the grounds of the countryside arlésienne with the count Leibulf.

9th century

Arles at the time of the Carolingian successions

And yet, in this beginning of IXe century, the coasts of Septimanie and Provence start to obtain defense against the pirates by construction with strengthened buildings. But it is especially after the death of Charlemagne, that the history of Arles will fall under the process of disintegration of the Carolingian Empire with the disorganization of the civil capacity, the disorders and the invasions. With the liking of the successions appears then an autonomous territory and individualized called kingdom of Provence well who will constitute Provence.

Arles under Louis the Piles

As of the first fights of wire of Louis the Piles (814-840) against their father, Provence undergoes the attack of invaders come from the sea who go up the Rhone. To fight against these pirates, the emperor gathers towards 835 the whole of the provençaux counties under the authority of a duke residing at Arles, probably Leibulf. In 841, one announces a certain duke Garin, who with his quotas arlésiens and provençaux participle in a decisive way to the battles of Fontanet, on June 25th 841.
Cela does not prevent Arles from being plundered in 842 by the Sarrasins.

Arles under Lothaire Ier After the Treated of Verdun (843), Provence passes under the authority of Lothaire I {{er}} and of its representatives, of which the duke Fulcrad who tries in 845 a secession of Provence with the probable participation of Arlésiens. During this time of disorders, Arles is again attacked in 850, but contrary to 842, it is defended successfully and massacred the barbaresque ones in their escape.

Arles: an active port with the Middle East

In this middle of century, we have testimonys that the town of Arles in spite of these events is still prosperous and has an active port. The deacon Florus who writes shortly after 843, indeed speaks about optimum Arelas portus (Arles, rich port) . In the same way a few years later towards 860-870, the Arab geographer Ibn Khordadbeh in his Book of the Roads and the Kingdoms evokes the Jewish merchants whom it calls Radhanites and which starting from the ports of the frank country moves towards the Middle East, carrying goods of septentrional origin (slaves, swords and skins) to bring back spices.

Arles under Charles of Provence

In 855 after death Lothaire I {{er}}, the division of its kingdom gives rise to Provence (kingdom including the Lyonnais, the Viennoise and the Provence itself) reserved for Charles which leaves the administration of its kingdom with Girart of Roussillon. The court resides at Vienna which becomes thus the capital of this Kingdom to the detriment of Arles until the beginning of the 10th century.

It is at that time (859) which the Normands, of passage in the Mediterranean, devastate the territory of Arles.

Arles under the emperor and king d' Italie, Louis II the Young person

With died of Charles (863), the southern part of its kingdom, i.e. Provence limited to the territories of Arles, Aix and Embrun, returns to Louis II the Young person emperor and king d' Italie. Under this new authority, the capacity then seems exerted by the bishops who are brought to take the defense of the population. Thus the archbishop of Arles Roland (852-869) made strengthen the theater and intervenes in the campaigns. At the time of a raid in the Camargue in September 869, the Sarrasins surprise it supervising the setting in defense of the area. The bishop is made prisoner, then exchanged against weapons, slaves, and other richnesses. Unfortunately, Arlésiens will recover only its corpse, equipped and put on a seat by the barbaresque ones at the time of the handing-over of ransom.

Arles under Charles the Bald person and Boson duke of Provence

In 875, with died of the emperor, Provence is recovered by Charles the Bald person. Boson is named duke of Provence and for this reason accommodates in Arles the pope Jean VIII in spring 878. On this occasion the bishop of Arles Rostaing, receives the Pallium. Boson is let try shortly after by the Italian crown proposed by Jean VIII. But its attempt runs up against noble Italian and Boson must turn over to Provence after an unfruitful forwarding of a few months.

The creation of the Kingdom of Provence

the attempt at Boson

October 15th 879, Boson enters in rebellion against the constestés Carolingian successors, Louis III and Carloman II and is made crown King de Provence in his castle of Mantaille with the support of large and that minority of the provençaux bishops, of which Rostaing archbishop of Arles.

However, the attempt turns quickly to the failure and Carloman recovers Provence after the catch of Vienna in October 881 and leaves like traces of its authority some sums of money struck in Arles. But during this disturbed time, the Buckwheats always present and opportunist, again plunder the city little time before 883.

To died from Carloman (884), the authority of Charles III the Large extends to Provence; Boson sunken in grace dies out in Arles, on January 11th 887, and his/her son Louis is adopted shortly after by the emperor.

establishment of his/her son Louis III

In 890, Louis III is proclaimed in his turn king de Provence always with the support of the archbishop of Arles Rostaing. Resident in Vienna, Louis undertakes at the beginning of his reign (896) some attempts against Buckwheats which continue to devastate Provence. He discharges then from the administration of his kingdom on the Count Thibert which intervenes in several cities, in particular in Arles.

Arles at the end of the 9th century

In this end of century, Arles is a strengthened citadel dominating a deserted territory. Several texts, evoke grounds depopulated by the attack of the barbarians who settle towards 890 in Eastern Provence, to the Fraxinet. If the city gave up its role of capital, it preserves however an economic and religious role important.

10th century

Arles under Hugues of Arles

The history of first half of the 10th century is marked by Hugues of Arles, count d' Arles and of Vienna, successor of the count Thibert and cousin of the king Louis III. In 911, it settles in Arles of which it makes, in spite of the initial conflicts with the local aristocracy (911 - 920) and its activities in Italy, the capital of its kingdom.

Suzerainté of Conrad the Pacific

As of 948 (or 949), Conrad, known as the Pacific , supported by the Germanie king, succeeds in making recognize its suzerainty on the old kingdom of Provence. Conrad affirms its authority by creating the Marquisat of Provence and by naming three counts and of the Viscounts, foreigners to the country, of which one in Arles which quickly will supplant all the others. It is about the count of Burgundian origin Boson II (relative far away from Boson of the end 9th century), at the origin of the first line of the counts de Provence.

Birth of Anger dynasty of the counts de Provence and feudality

safety in Provence: the problem of the Moors

The sedentary problem most important in Provence especially in the oriental party, they are the Sarrasins. The fight against these plunderers is initially only sporadic insofar as the counts of Provence are committed in Italy in their companies of conquest. After with the removal of the abbot Mayeul, the princes of Provence brought together under the aegis of the count Guillaume Ier, who succeeded his Boson father in 968, are definitively victorious Moors with the Bataille of Tourtour in 973.

establishment of the first dynasty comtale in Arles

This victory obtained without the troops of Conrad is important: it makes it possible Guillaume to obtain the suzerainty in fact of Provence (he will distribute the grounds reconquered to its vassal) and Arles to find its statute of capital where shortly after 981, the count become marquis de Provence returns to be established there. It is also in second half of this century that is born with the first line comtale, feudality arlésienne. In Arles, they are the founders of most famous arlésiennes families: initially Pons juvenis for the family of the Beams as of 952 and then Daidonat for that of the Piglet in 972. Feudality arlésienne has its own characteristics: she is of course rural, but also urban and commercial. As of 980, returned peace brings the conditions of an economic revival and the fame of the count, a transitory political radiation.

The Middle Ages

11th century

Weakening of the capacity comtal

Of the multiple causes

As of the first years of the 11th century, the counts Guillaume II known as the Piles (993-1019) and Roubaud of Provence, his/her uncle, are not any more able to hold great chalk-linings in respect. In 1008, with died of Roubaud, thus opens a period of disorders, worsened by the increasing power of the big families, the militarization of the company arlésienne and fastening with the Saint Germanic Roman Empire in 1032

the Gregorian reform in Arles and the crisis of the end of the century

Another factor of weakening of the count: the Gregorian Reform. In Arles and in Provence, as of the Years 1040, it becomes an instrument of a policy directly aiming the archbishop of Arles and a more subtle way, the count de Provence.
Initialized with the Paix of God, the Gregorian reform also tries to eliminate the prelates who tend to follow a policy more in the interest of the family inheritance that of that of the Church. This policy radicalizes after 1078 and led to a true political crisis between the count weakened, which is placed under papal suzerainty thus disavowing its bonds of vassalage with the Emperor, and the archbishop of Arles Aicard of the family of the Vicomtes of Marseilles, excommunicated but supported by the city, the big families and the count of Toulouse. Anibert sees in this crisis the leaven of the ideas of emancipation of the city which will be concretized fifty years later by the consulate. Finally, it is only after 1096 that the Church benefitting from the absence of the local dynasties left in Croisade, will be able to put order in its hierarchy.

Economic life: clearings and trade

On the economic plan, the movement of recovery started as of the end of the 10th century continuous after the year 1000. Grounds are given in culture and of many vaults are built. The city itself develops outside the walls. After the years of tension 1015 - 1040, the city opens to the Italian tradesmen at the time where Genoa and Pisa become powers in the Mediterranean. The clearings take again after 1050, primarily in the form of drainings of marsh, in particular around the Abbaye of Montmajour and in Crau.

12th century

The city will be during this century the object of a movement of urban emancipation, one of oldest of Provence. This movement falls under a context of a great political instability, an enrichment of the city and a significant religious development.

Installation of the 2nd dynasty of the counts de Provence and the consulate

an arranged and disputed marriage which leads to the partition of Provence

In 1112, the count of Barcelona Raimond Berenger Soft wife the oldest daughter of Gerberge of Provence, countess of Provence: it is the official beginning of the second dynasty of the counts de Provence . However this transaction is disputed; as of 1112 by big families of Provence, then starting from 1119 by the Toulouse party supported by the arlésiennes families which oppose in the city the archbishop of Arles, representing of the pope and combined Catalan counts. Finally, in 1125, an agreement is signed dividing Provence in a marquisat in the North allotted to the Toulouse and a county in the South, of which Arles is the capital, ghost with the Barcelona .

the creation of the consulate and the wars Baussenques

In spite of the treaty of 1125, the authority of the count around the area of Arles is almost null. The Soft death of in 1130 and that of Raimond-Berenger in 1131 makes re-appear the latent problems of succession of the county of Provence. As of 1131, the lords of the Beams, from now on supported by the count of Toulouse, thus put forward their rights near the emperor Conrad. This latent conflict is worsened by the political situation of Arles burst in districts whose lords are objectively plain in the refusal to leave the count Provence become possessionné in the city. In this context, the death of the count Raimond-Berenger gives the additional impulse necessary to creation in 1131 of a Consulat.

In 1144, the nonfortuitous death undoubtedly of the count de Provence Berenger-Raimond starts the Guerres Baussenques in which take part Arlésiens initially, allied with the Beams. It is probably in relation to these fights that it is necessary to apprehend the revolt of Arlésiens against their archbishop in 1150 or in 1156. At the end of successive conflicts, they finish in 1162 by the victory of the Catalan counts and the defeat of the Beams.

Arles loses its role of capital of Provence and sets up in Republic

the consequences

The baussenques Guerres, which make it possible the dynasty comtale to put at the row the Beams, initially serve the interests of another big family arlésienne, that of Piglet. In 1162, the outcome of this crisis corroborates their policy option in favor of the counts of Provence. While the castles of Trinquetaille and the Beams are taken, the end of XIIe century devotes the power of this family. They then play in Provence a political role of foreground and lead a personal policy of prestige to the detriment of the old enemies of the family of Barcelona. This role is explained beyond the support for the comtale family, by a very important inheritance and incomes which bring the average hardware requirements to their policy and by a cohesion lignagère made solidarity and of a conservation of the inheritance in undivided . It is about at that time (1150 - 1160) (or 1142?) that the archbishops of Arles make Living room-of-Provence their main home when the archbishop of Arles, Raymond de Montredon becomes lord of Living room. The richness of the soil, the protection offered by the Castle of Empéri on the one hand and the urban agitation of Arles on the other hand, explain this choice during one time disturbed by the wars and the revolts. The city and its castle are thus bound during almost eight centuries to the temporality of the Church of Arles.
To Arles, the diffusion of the uses feodo-vassalic for the benefit of the ecclesiastical seigniories which is contemporary standardization of the relations between the bishops and the large laic ones after the serious tensions of the Gregorian period, applies with a characteristic: increase in the pledged fields of the family of the Beams.

Arles at the time of the conflicts between the counts of Barcelona and Toulouse

… (1165-1180)/to make: peace of J. 1176

a more marked presence of the Germanic emperors

In this context of weakness of the counts, Frederic Ier Barberousse (1122-1190), Germanic emperor since 1155 and suzerain of Provence wishes to take again the old title of King d' Arles and to thus point out its authority. He then confirms many privileges of the Church of Arles, intervenes diplomatically in the wars Baussenques and is made crown on July 31st 1178 in the basilica Saint-Trophime by the archbishop Raimond de Bollène (1163-1182) in the presence of all the large ones of the kingdom except notable for the count de Provence and Barcelona.

Cause or consequence, it is at that time, towards 1180, that the counts de Provence forsake Arles and settle with Aix and that the city obtains a government known in the history under the name of République of Arles (1180-1251) following the example Italian cities with which the city maintains many relations. After the creation of the Republic of Arles , and the disappearance of internal conflicts between districts of the city, the inhabitants decide to lock up the old Borough, the Borough-nine and the Market in a new enclosure practically finished in 1190.

… (1180-1200)/to make: before and after 1190, died of F Barberousse

Economic life and nun at the 12th century

the economy arlésienne in XIIe century

On the economic plan, at the 12th century, the wearing of Arles is active as the episodes to the maritime war and the statutes of the city testify some. There exists a military fleet arlésienne: in 1114 for example, boats of the city take part in the crusade of Majorque; in the same way, in 1120, the fleet of Arles (14 ships driven by the Beams and the Piglet) assistance Galicians against the Moslems of Spain; finally, in 1165, of the ships arlésiens take part with Pisans in the attempt at interception of the pope Alexandre III. Many articles of the statutes of the city also refer to the port activities, thus article 140 (written between 1160 and 1200) specifies the conditions of loading of the pilgrims with Arles.
The knights and the probi homines arlésiens profit from the development of the exchanges, in particular by the incomes of the Lesde, the Tonlieu X and salt. Accumulating enormous richnesses which will make of them the backers of the counts, they become extremely powerful. Arles also profits from the Croisades; one pays thus that the first certificate in France of windmills (of means-Eastern origin), figure in a charter of the town of Arles gone back to 1170.
The Jewish community of Arles, relatively important, also benefits from the rise of the trade. In 1165, Benjamin de Tudèle counts two hundred household heads in the city; they control part of the trade of the luxury items and that of vermilion and some of them deal with the businesses of the archbishop, the count and the Beams. On this basis of two hundred Jewish household heads, one can try an estimate of the global population of the city: approximately 8.000 to 10.000 inhabitants. It is an estimate close to that of the historian Louis STOUFF who judges the figure from 5.000 to 6.000 advanced by Erika Engelmann at the date of 1200, like probably in-on this side truth .
However, at the 12th Arles century does not succeed in collecting with its profit the reappearing international traffic (cloths of Flandres, spices and produced Raising) which makes the fortune of Saint-Gilles, new city established with approximately twenty kilometers downstream from the Small Rhone beside an old market with the doors of an abbey, supported by a pilgrimage and the installation of Italian merchants which in a few years makes of it the commercial port most active of the Rhone-native area.

religious life arlésienne in XIIe century

The 12th century is on the religious level one time of transformations.
on September 29th 1152, Raimon de Montredon organizes the translation of the relics of Trophime saint, of the Alyscamps to the basilica Saint-Etienne , which probably then loses this patronym with the profit of current the Saint-Trophime . In 1170, begins the realization from the carved frontages of the basilica Saint-Trophime of Arles and Saint-Gilles-of-Gard (Romanesque art) (fine in 1220). According to other sources, this work started rather as of the years 1152, would be completed in 1178, at the date of crowning in this basilica of the Germanic Roman Emperor, Frederic Ier Barberousse. Rebuilding or alterations in the Romance style are also announced at that time in Arles even and of its area (cf the church of the Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, towards 1175).
Beside the modifications of the pertaining to worship frame, the new religious orders founded at the end of or the beginning of the 12th century are established in the city and contribute to the religious evolution of the city.

military orders:
- the Hospitaliers of Midsummer's Day create the house of Saint-Thomas de Trinquetaille;
- the order of Templiers, founded in 1119, is in Arles towards 1142 in the north of the door of the Borough-Nine to which they gave their name ( Porte of the Militia or Porte of the Cavalry ) and in the Camargue as of the years 1160 settles then quickly.
Les two orders acquire there very great fields what involves the hostility of the patriciat arlésien and of the conflicts of property and use with monasteries.
the Cisterciens: they found an abbey in the Camargue initially with Ulmet towards 1180, then with Sylvéréal.

13th century

The advent of the 1 dynasty of Anjou and end of the republic of Arles

The movement of urban emancipation continues at the 13th century, opposed by new actors, the such Church confronted with the Albigensian, the Guelfes and the Gibelins, the princes franciliens and the French royalty. Thus, after some initial conflicts, of which that related to the context of the first Albigensian Crusade (1209 - 1218), the city directs towards 1220, following the example Italian cities, towards a type of particular government, the Podestat and assumes a real autonomy then. In 1235 - 1237, with the brotherhood of the buckets then in 1245 - 1250, the city revolts, in a movement deeply anticlerical, against his archbishop, before capitulating in 1250 in front of the army of Charles of Anjou, the brother of the king Louis XI, which imposes the new dynasty of the Counts de Provence. Capétiens after having set up an administration meddles, as well with respect to the great communities, as of the nobility or of the clergy, rèvent of Italy where they leave, followed by the nobility of Provence in particular arlésienne, in 1265.

Transformations of XIIIe century arlésien

On the political plan, the capitulation of 1250 mark a rupture in the history arlésienne. The city loses its consuls replaced by the comtaux viguier and civils servant, like all its goods. It preserves only some privileges which it gets busy to defend bitterly. The nobility formerly proud and jealous of its prerogatives, changes and from now on will seek the honors, revenues and careers near the count. In this context politico-monk, XIIIe century arlésien is that of the Ordres beggars which settle of number in the city. Lastly, on the economic plan prosperity continues, probably favoured at the end of the century by the peace and safety brought by the first dynasty of Anjou. Thus at the end of the century, Arles which extends and includes new districts in an increased enclosure, reached its demographic optimum of the Middle Ages with a population of approximately 15.000 inhabitants.

The late Middle Ages

See also: History of Arles to the late Middle Ages

After the installation of the first dynasty Angevine in 1250, the city undergoes a political decline (with the profit of Aix, capital of the County), ecclesiastic (Arles becomes a branch of the papacy installed in 1309 with Avignon), economic (competition of Avignon and Marseilles). This phenomenon is amplified as from the years 1340-1350 by a demographic collapse related to the famous trilogy: wars, plagues and food shortages. For Arles, the food shortage is an accident, the plague a periodic evil and the war a permanent threat, coming from the continent at the 14th century then of the sea until the end of the Années 1460. The wars related to the installation of the second dynasty Angevine, make it possible however the town of find in 1385 part of its rights alienated in 1250. Paradoxically in this depressed context, the extremely petitioning country of Arles in labor becomes a center of immigration. This migratory flux will be at the origin of the demographic resumption of the city in the Années 1470. At the end of the Middle Ages, in 1483 when Provence is attached to the Kingdom of France, the company arlésienne became a company of farmers and stockbreeders, with a many nobility and rich person who will dominate the city until the Révolution.

14th century

A beginning of century thrives

At the beginning of the 14th century, Arles profits from one at the same time intellectual, demographic prosperity and économique.
The town of Arles accommodates in 1306, the driven out Jews of Languedoc. The rabbi and Jewish philosopher averroïste Joseph ibn Caspi also known under its name of Provence of SEN Bonfos or Gift Bonafoux of Argentière, thus settles in Provence initially with Tarascon in 1306 then in Arles in 1317 where it binds with Kalonymos Ben Kalonymos (Shem Tov Ben Shem Tov) and writes his introduction to the Pentateuque, the Tirat Kessef , which was worth to him to be scrambled with Kalonymos Ben Kalonymos and the Masters of that-ci.
According to Louis Stouff, the city would then have included/understood approximately 250 fires of Jewish confession, quantifies which will never again be equalized and which will remain most important in the history of Arles. The city with almost 2.200 fires, is approximately 11.000 inhabitants, is then the second city of Provence.
On the economic plan, the city posts a robust prosperity thanks to the agricultural production of its affars, with the quality of its ovine breeding which feeds the trade of wool and the skins and with the richness of its saline. The city also counts many windmills (23 in 1332), primarily on the hill of Mouleyres and an active port which develops in first half of the 14th century bound for Acute-Dead Tarascon and .

…. To add a synthesis of the situation of Arles between 1320 and 1345: trades,…; the arrival of Italian traders who become notable arlésiens;

In 1307, the brokers are 42: 35 Jews and 7 Christians.

Follow-up by famines, the plague and wars

the first difficulties

However, of the first steps announced already a retreat of the radiation of the city. On the political plan, the city which had lost a great number of privileges in the middle of the 13th century, had been erased in front of the capital comtale Aix. In the same way for the Archbishop's palace of Arles, the 14th century is not announced more favorable than it. At the beginning of the century, the installation of papacy in Avignon (1309) made that the prelates arlésiens are not very present in their diocese and Arles ceases being the residence of its archbishops. With this decline already started on the political plan, administrative and ecclesiastical, are added at the beginning of the Années 1320, the first economic difficulties: insufficient harvests appear as of 1315 and worsen in the years 1323, 1329 and 1332.

the medieval trilogy: plague, food shortages and wars

It is however only starting from the middle of the 15th century, that the situation is degraded. The town of Arles, always with the catches with food shortages, undergoes epidemics of which famous the Black Death of 1348 and a series of wars; she sees her population being reduced fortement.
The Black Death appears in the town of Arles initially in January 1348, then on several occasions until the end of the century. While eliminating half of the consumers almost it brings a respite to the famine but the grounds from now on in waste land and especially the wars of second half of the 15th century make any provisioning difficult. The famines make their reappearance in 1357 and especially between 1368 and 1375.
The wars appear shortly after and touch a population strongly weakened by the food shortages and the epidemics. Coming from the continent, they begin in 1355 and finish in 1399. All begin with a local conflict, when in 1355, the Seneshal of Provence, Fouques d' Agout, makes the seat of the castle of the Beams where took refuge Robert de Duras which dies in 1356 with the battles of Poitiers.
The area is then the prey of armed bands désœuvrées during the truces with the Guerre One hundred Year old:

1357 - 1358: presence of the bands of Routiers, led by Arnaud de Cervola says the Archiprêtre and called by the Counts of the Beams. They cross the the Rhone on July 13rd, 1357 and set out again of Provence only in October 1358.
1357 - 1358: October 1st, to fight against the Road , the seneshal calls upon the count d' Armagnac who brings between Arles and Tarascon thousand sergeants. Their intervention will be as terrible as that of the Truck drivers.
1361 : the troops of Henri de Trastamare coming from Spain arrive until under the walls of Arles.

The city profiting then from a few years of peace, on June 4th 1365, Charles IV king de Bohême is made crown like its predecessor Frederic Barberousse, king d' Arles with the cathedral Saint-Trophime.
But the respite is of short duration. Starting from 1367, the ambitions of Louis of Anjou in Provence constitute a new danger. Thus from April 11th to May 1st 1368, the city is besieged without success by troops led by Duguesclin, representing the interests of Louis of Anjou in Provence.
At the autumn 1380, the adoption of Louis of Anjou by the queen Jeanne puts all Provence in agitation. Provence is cut into two: on a side partisans of Louis of Anjou led by the towns of Marseilles and Arles, other those of Charles Duras gathered around the towns of Aix, Nice and Tarascon. Of 1382 with 1387, during these disorders called war of the Union of Aix , confusion is with its roof. to supplement …. The most dramatic episode for Arles proceeds in 1384. In spring of this year, the chief tuschin combined of Charles Duras, Etienne Augier more known under the name of Ferragut, settles in the Alpilles and makes reign terror until the the Rhone and Arles which it takes on July 24th with internal complicities. The viguier of the city is killed. After a few hours of disorders, the inhabitants revolt against Tuchins and drive out them city. The following day, a severe repression is carried out against their partisans. However, the town of Arles, careful, awaits the fate of the weapons before engaging. Thus it is only after several months of excuses that the city accommodates in its walls on December 9th 1384, Marie of Blois and Louis II his son. After having to negotiate counterparts and a new convention (1385) establishes, Arles then recognizes this last like its new lord.

Lastly, a last conflict emerges in 1389 when Raimond Roger of Beaufort, Viscount of Turenne and nephew and great nephew of the popes Gregoire XI and Clément VI, takes again the weapons and of its castles of the Beams and Roquemantine, makes reign terror in Western Provence; Arles is held to ransom twice, in 1392 and 1396. Finally the arlésiens are mobilized and with the assistance of Louis II and his brother Charles de Tarente of return of Naples in August 1399, definitively pacify the county between 1398 and 1399.

The company arlésienne with the advent of the second dynasty of Anjou

Into 1385, when the second dynanstie of Anjou takes possession of the county of Provence, the town of Arles was deeply transformed.

demographic and economic Transformations

political Transformations and nuns

Beside the demographic and economic impacts, this agitated period also its batch of transformations on the political plan and monks bring. On the religious level, the Confréries develop starting from the Années 1350 after being a long time run up against the ecclesiastical authority, in remembering old the République of Arles . These associations which have a charitable activity, convivial, religious and especially funerary mix in an intimate and daily way with the life of the arlésiens. To indicate the principal brotherhoods . On the political plan, the years 1350 - 1385 and in particular the period related to the installation of the second dynasty Angevine paradoxically makes it possible the town of find part of the rights alienated in 1251. Already in 1349, the town of Arles obtains a body of permanent syndics (executive urban) and as of 1368, the queen Reine Jeanne reconsidering the convention of 1251, authorizes the city to have goods. The same year, the town of Arles obtains a captain of the city in charge of defense with the city which takes again part of the functions of the viguier comtal.

the life arlésienne at the end of XIVe: the chronicle of Bertrand Boysset

Starting from the Years 1380, the chronicles of the arlésien Bertrand Boysset constitute an important documentation on the event-driven and daily history of the city. It thus announces the rising of the the Rhone of November 14th 1396 which drowns the low districts of the city (the Rocket) under two meters of water or the destruction of the wings of the mills of Mouleyrès by the Mistral. It also evokes the epidemic of Peste which occurs between on April 1st 1397 and January 1399.

The 14th century is thus a period of decline, at the same time demographic, economic and ecclesiastical. The demographic retreat reduced in a brutal way the population arlésienne and affects all its activities in particular the agriculture which misses arm. It involves the disappearance of urban parishes and the wars the destruction of the farmhouses and the churches of the suburb. But paradoxically the political disturbances of second half of this century made it possible the city of Provence to find part of its rights.

15th century

After the terrible epidemic of 1347 - 1350 (Black Death), low demographic is reached one century later, towards 1440, the city having then passed from approximately 12.000 (in 1337) to 5000 inhabitants. Other epidemics of Peste strike the city in 1398, 1450 and 1482. Two periods are particularly difficult for the city: 1418 - 1433 and 1481 - 1484. The population arlésienne in is very affected and the city will find its manpower of the beginning of the 14th century only the day before Révolution.

the beginning of the century: state of the campaigns with the given up farmhouses, the churches in ruins,…
+ low demographic about 1420 (1000 fires) Situation worsened by exogenic elements. 1418 - 1433, with the epidemics of 1418,1420,1429, the permanent war, the drynesses and insufficient harvests of 1421,1424,1426,1429,1432 and the dearness of the grain in 1428,1432 and 1433;

Arles about 1440: a land city structured in communities

The tax documents (list of the men paying wrapping, books burrows), the municipal wills and documents make it possible to seize the trades, activities and communities of the company arlésienne. It is at the time when the demographic curve starts to rectify towards 1437 - 1438, which it is possible to know the composition of the population arlésienne.

the trades

On the 1.228 taxed chiefs of fire, only the three-quarters have a profession which is known for us. Agriculture, the breeding, fishing and hunting as well as the trades related to the food represent the large majority of the listed professions, that is to say approximately 70%, the trades concerning the trade, the work of the stone and metals and those related to clothing only 25% and the professions intellectual or official, marginal, less than 5%. The trades of Arles, if one brings them closer to those of cities like Paris or Turns, are of restricted number and often have the effect of being little specialized. Broadly they are related to the soil and are not directed towards export. Another characteristic of Arles, it is the specialization of the communities: the still many Jews at this beginning of century (80 fires) constitute for example the majority of the praetors, tailors, brokers out of cereals and doctors. Contrary, one finds them neither in the trades of the ground nor as stockbreeders.

the activities

Agriculture arlésienne is characterized by local characteristics: a strong presence of gardens and orchards, an omnipresent vineyard intended for a primarily personal production and great fields called affars , properties of the archbishop's palace, the noble ones or plowmen nouveau riches. The demographic shock involves a modification of the exploitation of these properties. The documents available show a progressive abandonment of the direct use to the profit of the fachery (share-cropping) then of the renting (tenant farming).
The pastoral activity since the drafting of the first statutes in XIIIe century increased and the municipal authorities are concerned with preserve the grounds of the delta, will pasturas and herbagia and those of Crau, the coussouls . There exist two types of breeding of the sheep: large herds between the hands of the aristocracy and professional stockbreeders, the nourriguiers and those from 50 to 400 animals, had by the shepherds. As of this time, the Transhumance is very organized: in 1398 more than 21.000 animals belonging to 11 owners leave Crau for the Alpages of Digne. The Camargue is then a ground of hunting and bovine breeding and équin.
Fishing is carried out at sea, on the the Rhone or in the marshes and the sinners of Arles constitute a world with share, a community, in the city. On 60 listed, 59 live the district of the Rocket and belong to the same brotherhood.

the communities

Arles is made of a community of citizens, inhabitants and people of passage. To be regarded as citizen it is necessary to pass, for the not-natives of the city, a ceremony called citadinagium . The arlésiens also live according to the social classes, of the trades and the religious communities which structure the districts of the ville.
A hierarchy of fortunes can be established. It reveals considerable variations. The richest arlésien, noble, is 900 times richer than poorest and with the bottom of the scale, 54% of the taxpayers hold only 15% of the goods. People gather by trades: in the district of Hauture the shepherds of Crau and in that of the Rocket live the sinners. The Christian community is organized in parishes and Confréries, kinds of charity associations and social of the time. But the city is especially divided between two religious communities: Christians and the Jews which live a reserved district, Méjan, with their own bosses and of the specific laws.

the threat of the Catalans: 1420-1460

During more than one half-century, the city lives with the threat of the Catalans, i.e. Aragonese galères which plunder the the Camargue and which are a permanent danger to the arlésiens.

the plague of 1450 and repopulation by immigration

To introduce the consequences here: decline of the trade (Arles, forsaken crossroads), agricultural resumption of work,…
Arles becomes a forsaken crossroads; the trade disappeared and its port is competed with by that of Bouc.
Paradoxically, the city and petitioning country of Arles strong in labor (agricultural work, will to accommodate craftsmen…) become an important center of immigration, initially with populations of Western Provence, then Rhone-native furrow until Geneva and finally of the Cantal and the Lozere. This migratory flux will be at the origin of the demographic resumption of the city in the Années 1470.

end of the century: fastening with the Kingdom of France, religious tensions, plague, but architectural revival

The archbishop's palace of Arles still shining at the beginning of the century, loses of its prestige. In 1475, to died of Philippe de Lévis, the pope Sixte IV reduces the diocese of Arles: it detaches the Diocèse of Avignon allotted in 1474 to its nephew Julien of Rovere, the future pope Jules II, of the province of Arles, sets it up in Archevêché and allots to him like suffragan évêchés the comtadins of Carpentras, Cavaillon and Vaison. A few years later, the archiépiscopats of Eustace de Lévis and its successor Nicolas Cibo mark the end of the coining of Arles.

1481 - 1484: shortage of grains in the in December 1481 city, January 1482, September 1483, February 1484 and the epidemic of plague of 1482-1484.

In 1483, Arles, Adjacent Ground of Provence, is joined together with this one with the Royaume of France little time after the death of the King Rene (1481), his last count.
Arlésiens of the end of the 15th century are very attached to the worship and even to the legendary traditions as shows it the unhappy incident concerning the relics of holy Antoine in 1493. In this situation of religious aggravation, maintained by preachings the minor brothers, the climate between the Christian communities and Jewish is degraded. Under the archiépiscopat of Eustace de Lévis (1475-1489), and more particularly after the fastening of Provence to the Kingdom of France, the tensions lead to the bag of the juivery of Arles on June 7th 1484. Finally, on September 23rd 1493, an edict of Charles VIII orders the expulsion of the Jews of Arles.

At the end of the century, the city undertakes the first renovation works urban: in 1497, the place located in front of Saint-Trophime is increased.

Old Mode

16th century

The annexation of Arles to the Kingdom of France is done without difficulty and a few years later, in 1536, Arlésiens testify to their attachment to their recent fatherland by stopping the second invasion of Provence led by Charles Quint.
Returned peace, Arles grows rich thanks to its vast soil gradually put in culture. It is of this time which the first modern attempts go back to drying of the marshes which surround the city. Irrigation work is also undertaken, whose most significant, the Canal of Craponne dug in the years 1550, connects the Durance to the the Rhone downstream from Arles.
This boom results in the artistic development of the city. Several public monuments and of the private mansions of Renaissance style are then built.

However these happy hours for the city are completed with the beginning of the year 1560. Indeed, the end of the century is marked by epidemics of Peste and floods. With these natural disasters are added the wars of religion. These times of religious and political disorders, punctuated by the royal visit of Charles IX and its mother Catherine de Médicis in autumn 1564, will end only with the abjuration and especially the crowning of Henri IV, on February 27th 1594.

After all these tests the financial position of Arles is catastrophic: strongly involved in debt the city must consequently be solved to sell part of the communal goods.

17th century

At the beginning 17th century, the city is always in its enclosure which it is necessary to restore because of the latent conflicts of religion in Provence and Languedoc. After 1625, favorable climatic conditions allow an increase in agricultural production; these conditions start again the idea of the draining of the marshes. However various difficulties ruin the initial success of the company.

Déchue of any political ambition to the profit of Aix, Arles does not shine any more but by the glare of sound archbishop's palace. The pastoral dash impelled by the Concile of Thirty is relayed in the city by active archbishops. It results a multiplication from it from religious congregations while the population increase encourages with a restoration of the parishes.

Following the debts accumulated during the Wars of religion which obliged the city to sell part of its immense territory, one sees appearing in the Camargue of land vast domains which take part in the agricultural reconquest of this soil deserted since from the decades. In return to this enrichment of the noble classes and bougeoises, arts develop and the city is avoided of a great number of private mansions. The rich person owners build sumptuous residences inherited the art of the Renaissance. Notable modifications are also made to the religious establishments. In this architectural revival the new town hall completed in emerges 1675 and supplemented by erection vis-a-vis the new monument of the obelisk. As from 1679, a policy of alignment is undertaken by the consuls. This policy which continues until the Révolution, modifies the aspect of the downtown area considerably.

End of the old mode

To the turning of the century, Arles will join again with an episode of multiple catastrophes: L `winter 1709 ruin harvests and freezes the olive-trees, floods and food shortages follow one another and large the Peste of 1721 causes a demographic disaster: it carries approximately 9.000 inhabitants out of 23.000, that is to say more of the third of the city.

At the beginning of 1752 (at the end of January, at the beginning of February), the archbishop of Jumillac intervenes in Arles to alleviate a riot related to a corn shortage generated by the speculation. It orders to make distributions of bread to the people. However, the leaders of the riot are severely punished; one is hung, eight condemned to the galères with life and others to ten and five years.

About the middle of the 18th century, industrial plants and artisanal appear around the walls and with Trinquetaille.

Arles under the Revolution

the first steps

In 1788 - 1789, a hard winter plunges in a deep misery a population overpowered by the tax. In March 1789, émeutent burst everywhere in Provence. The town of Arles is raised as of on March 13rd; sailors and sailors tear off with the first consul a fall in the price of the edible ones. Disturb begin again at the time of the preparation of the Registers of grievances, and after having challenged their deputies with the General states, Arlésiens are made main of the municipality. The Great fear gains the territory arlésien at the end of July 1789. August 4th, they deposit their consuls and a new council is formed, composed representatives of the nobility, clergy, middle-class and various corporations.

1790-1792: a fight between Jacobins and counter-revolutionaries

As of the first months of the Revolution, Pierre-Antoine Antonelle, of aristocratic origin and mythical chief of the Monnaidiers (in favor of the Revolution) becomes the most important protagonist of the French revolution in Arles. He is elected on February 15th 1790 mayor of the city, thanks to the voices of the craftsmen and the sailors. During its mandature, the village of Fontvieille becomes common autonomous by deduction of the territory arlésien. July 14th, the first patriotic festival is held on the place of the Republic and all the constitutional priests lend oath this day. Aristocrat but savagely anticlerical, Pierre-Antoine Antonelle opposes in the city the archbishop Monseigneur of Lau and to the royalist partisans, the Chiffonistes . December 23rd, the mayor Pierre-Antoine Antonelle, assisted of a former royal prosecutor become municipal officer, Ripert, puts the decree of July 12th at execution by expelling of Saint-Trophime the recalcitrant canons. Arles with an abundant nobility, in contact with the aristocratic Languedoc and networks quickly becomes however a turntable counter-revolutionary. A club the noble ones at that time builds monumental Cercle of the Rotunda, building inspired of works of the neo-classic architect Claude-Nicolas Ledoux. With the end of the year 1790, the fear of a plot causes in all Provence an outburst of violence.

In this tense atmosphere daily, the two clans Monnaidiers and Chiffonistes clash. Following their takeover in June 1791, the Chiffonistes make reign as of the summer, a true terror counter-revolutionary which the delegates of the department are impotent to repress and which ends to the elections of November 1791 with the victory of Chiffone taken along by the new mayor Pierre Antoine Loys. After the échaffourées urban ones, the Monnaidiers pursued leave the city to hide in the Camargue and the winners transform the city into royalist fortified camp. As of September, Marseilles projects a forwarding against the rebellious city. However, opposition of the departmental authorities, then that of Legislative prevent a time the execution of it. The harvest of 1791 having been bad, the food shortage reappears.

The winter of 1791 - 1792 is frozen. In spring, on March 21st 1792, Arles is declared in a state of rebellion against the Republic. An army of Marseillais is put then on the way and between on March 27th in a city deserted during the night by the Chiffonistes . In punishment of the feelings legitimists of the city, the national Convention condemns the town of Arles to shave its ramparts, which will be carried out only partially. April 24th 1792, a delegation appointed extraordinary of common D “Arles submits a report/ratio with the National Assembly. The decree of committal for trial of Louis XVI of December 11th 1792, evokes in article 9, the disorders counter-revolutionaries supported by the police chiefs sent by Paris. A new revolutionary club, the committee “of the Sabers” appears. It makes hunting for the chiffonists or the women of those which emigrated.

federalistic insurrection in Arles

In Provence, between April and June 1793, the sections are raised against the Jacobins and seize the power. All the department makes secession against the Convention. The watchword of the federalistic is the fight against the Parisian centralizing system and the creation of a federation of more or less autonomous and equal departments. However, in many communes, this movement of opposition is infiltrated by royalist counter-revolutionaries

June 12th 1793, when Marseilles is raised against the Convention while being declared of Gironde then royalist, Arles obtains a municipality favorable to this tendency. The new municipal officials group around the trader Siffren Boulevard.

… In Arles, on July 14th 1793, three hundred Residents of Toulon unload by the Rhone to break with the assistance of the Monnaidiers arlésiens resistance chiffonist. During engagements, there are seven died and about thirty blessés.
… In July 1793, the Monnaidiers must flee in their turn (?).
…

Convention reacts as of the month of August 1793 and starts, in the department, to liquidate the authorities installation by the counter-revolution. In Marseilles, on August 28th, the general Carteaux installs the revolutionary tribunal which enters at once in action: it is the beginning of Terror in Provence. With the autumn when Barred and Fréron amplify repression in Marseilles, Siffren Boulevard is judged there. In spite of its protests he is condemned to died and guillotine in bottom of the Canebière with another provisional administrator of Arles, the Grignard Master-glassmaker of $the Hague, on October 20th, 1793.

….

After the Revolution

19th century

At the 19th century, Arles is marked deeply by the Choléra. Between 1832 and 1884, there are in the city 9 successive epidemics corresponding to 2nd, 3rd, 4th and the 5th pandemias of this disease. The city also undergoes deep changes: it redécouvre its past historical and changes large agricultural and harbor borough, working downtown.

In 1801, the Concordat brings back religious peace, but devotes the disappearance of the archbishop's palace of Arles to the profit of Aix-Marseilles, as well as a less political role of the city.
With the fall of the Empire, the republicans arlésiens are victims of the white Terreur which obliges them to flee. A new aristocracy continues then with the head of the city as the rich person shows it remains Baron de Chartrouse, anobli by Napoleon i and rejoined with the Restauration in 1814 - 1815. Mayor of Arles, it undertakes towards 1824 to give in value the inheritance built by releasing the Arènes, then the ancient theater.
On the economic plan, the wearing of Arles is still important at the beginning of the 19th century: it has 104 boats in 1804, this figure passing with 152 in 1847. In 1837, the port of the city east to the 13th national rank in front of seaboard towns like Brest, Saint-Malo or Cherbourg; it profits in particular from the traffic with Algeria. In 1846, Arles has 182 marine captains, 600 sailors and Masters as a second, 1.237 people being registered on the shipping registers. With the united families, one can estimate at 5.000 the people thus living port.

However as of 1848, little time after the introduction of the first steamers (1840), Arles loses its monopoly of navigation on the Low-Rhone because of the railroads (Paris-Lyon-Marseilles line) then of Saint-Louis, port created with the mouth of the Rhone starting from 1882. The railroad revolutionizes the economy and the aspect of the activities to the detriment of the river port. The city thus empties its sailors who represented with their families nearly one the third of the population of the ville.
The city however finds a second breath in industry. The workshops of the railroads which recover the Alyscamps attract as of 1848 a new population, primarily of the workmen, including/understanding a strong component gardoise and Protestant woman. A little later, of the workshops of naval construction appear in Barriol and of the dredgers manufactured in Arles are delivered in the whole world. The rural population, which constituted 40% more of the inhabitants of the city towards 1850, leaves the city. In less than one half century Arles becomes a working city.

Starting from the middle of the 19th century, the city changes deeply while obtaining many equipment. One sees to rise the Stud farms, the channel of Arles with Bouc is dug, the arranged walk of the Strings, the Arènes and the ancient theater was released. The risings of the years 1840 and especially that of 1856, involve the construction of quays which protect the city from the river. The town planning of the Second Empire is translated in the city by the boring of new arteries (street Gambetta…), the installation of two bridges on the Rhone, for the train in 1850 and the other in 1875 to connect the city to Trinquetaille on western bank of the Rhone in the place of the bridge of boats, and the construction of new buildings of collective use: post, schools, theater, magasins.
The city develops finally in periphery by extension of suburbs, in particular in the south of the boulevard of the Strings, where a barracks of infantry settles. The architectural, neo-classic decoration at the beginning of the 19th century, becomes more eclectic after 1850.

Its territory is also emphasized. In 1856, industrialists build Saline-with-Giraud in the south of the commune for the exploitation of salt. On the agricultural level, the devastations caused with the French vineyard by the Phylloxéra starting from 1875 are an aubaine for the great landowners arlésiens who cover the Camargue of vines, the sandy and flooded grounds the winter protecting the seedlings from the attacks of the parasite. The city accommodates many foreigners, in particular Italian, sometimes target of xenophobe movements. Work of infrastructures is also completed: in 1892, two railway lines are created for the development of these saline and the development of the the Camargue (carriage of salt, agricultural produce, construction materials and passengers).

20th century

See too

Chronology of Arles: principal dates of the history of Arles
History of Arles at the time medieval
Archbishop's palace of Arles: history of the diocese of Arles with the bishops and archbishops of Arles
Councils of Arles: councils held in Arles
Vincent van Gogh: on the stay of the painter in Arles and the tables of the artist representing the city

On the Web

Hippolyte Taine: '' Origins of contemporary France - § the constitutional ones of Arles ''
Dom Claude Devic and Dom Joseph Vaissete: '' General Histoire of Languedoc ''

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