Book. How Montreuil-le-Henri became a “rebellious” commune

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Local historian and member since 2015 of the Compagnons de Saint-Georges association in Saint-Georges-de-la-CouéeMartin Raguin closes a chapter of writing by publishing his 3rd work on the history of Montreuil-le-Henri (Sarthe), “The little monastery”.

Released on the occasion of European Heritage Days at the end of September 2024, the historical collection of 151 pages (€12 for self-publishing) is available at Montreuil town hall and at the bar restaurant in Courdemanche, at Katia.

This third work joins a trilogy on three neighboring towns “and friends of the Etangsort valley”, says the author.

In 2015, Martin Raguin transformed a first attempt with the release of “La Vieille de Dame”, dedicated to Saint-Georges-de-la-Couée before publishing two years later, in 2017, “La cour des seigneurs”, a book retracing the history of Courdemanche.

Retired writing

“When I retired, I devoted myself to the village of Saint-Georges-de-la-Coué, I own a house there. While cleaning the church, I discovered a coat of arms at the top of the choir. I did some research and learned that it was the coat of arms of the Clermont Gallerande family who lived at the time (14th century) in a Luché-Pringé castle (the castle of Gallerande which still exists – Editor’s note). This family had owned the stronghold of Saint-Georges since 1380. From there, I began writing a book about the town,” says the amateur writer.

Put on sale in Courdemanche, this first work was a great success.

“The residents of Courdemanche asked me to write a book on the history of their commune, La cour des seigneurs, released in 2017,” recalls Martin Raguin.

This 2nd work could therefore not be the last! This series was in fact missing the 3rd and final opus, on Montreuil-le-Henri.

“I met the mayor, Alain Chevallier, and through contact with him, I began my research in 2017. There was then a break and I resumed writing the book at the beginning of the year, to release it in September.

The book that tells 1 500 ans of local history, up to the Second World War, was drawn from 200 copies.

And the dungeon becomes a castle

Montreuil-le-Henri takes its name from latin Monasteriolum which means “small monastery”.

“The history begins in the 6th century but it is especially at the beginning of the 12th that the history of the commune begins to be written around a keep which will become the castle of Montreuil built by the Count of Vendôme, its chapel seigniorial, and under the benevolence of its priory which will become a parish church”, recounts the author.

The work summarizes in its various chapters the history of the commune, from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, traces the genealogy of the lords, lists the Deaths for France and some localities, and returns to the origins of the priory, the castle and the Monterneau mill in particular.

Precursor of agricultural shows

As in all towns, men and women have left their mark on local history.

In Montreuil-le-Henri, it is Denis Charles Louis Bastard-de-Fontenaylord of Saint-Georges in the 18th century.

“He encouraged new methods of agriculture and created a prize rewarding the most deserving farmer. He is considered the precursor of the canton’s agricultural shows,” reveals Martin Raguin.

Montreuil, this rebellious commune

During his research, the author learned that “Montreuil-le-Henri was in many aspects a rebel parish. Whether the lords of the place or simple parishioners, all of them have never ceased over time to oppose the authority of the prior of the place and especially the powerful lords of Lucé. This desire not to give in has forged the identity and soul of this town.”

Montreuil-le-Henri The small monastery (151 p.) €12 on sale in Courdemanche (at Katia) and at Montreuil town hall.

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