Matha

Geography

Since 1818 the commune of Matha gathers Marestay and Saint-Hérie, as well as the villages of Suchet, Héritolle, Archambaud, Hubins, Chachevrier and part of the Narrow part. The river the Antenna crosses the commune, it runs south-south-west and forms a loop which circumvents Matha by the west. It is bordered of laundrettes and mills, today properties of private individuals.

History

Toponymy

The word “matha” indicated a forest or a bush in pre-Gallic language and tudesque language, matha is assimilated to “mast” hunting for the feature. The topography of the area at the 1st millenium before our era was made forests where the Carolingian emperors came to drive out wild boar.

For others, Matha comes from the Celtic word “chechmate”, which means rise, mound, eminence (which is not found on the territory of Matha).

Late antiquity

The Visigoths settled in the area of Matha, as toponymy testifies some to Gourvillette the village of Goths. They are driven out by the Francs at the beginning of the 6th century and Matha becomes a center of diffusion of Christianity.

The Middle Ages

It is in 866 qu ' a castle is built by Wulgrin, the Count of Angouleme, to stop the Norman ones.

In 1242, Isabelle Taillefer, after having been Queen of England during its first marriage, wife Hugues X of Lusignan, count of Walk and count d' Angoulême, and involves it in a revolt against the royalty capétienne.

She gives Matha to her son of first wedding Henry III the king of England which unloads in Royan on May 13rd, 1242. Louis IX, future Saint Louis, arrives in June 1242 at Matha whose castle belonged to Foulques II of Matha, vassal of the counts d' Angoulême. The defenders of the castle went almost without fighting as of July 1242, right before the battle of Taillebourg. This castle would have been located close to the Saint-Hérie church.

During the War One hundred Year old, like all the strongholds of this area, Matha passes on several occasions with the hands of the French, with those of the English. The Lords of Matha remain prosperous and holders of the basic duties and high justice. Then the seigniory passes in the family of Montberon.

at our days

In 1649, Louis XIV gave the order to seize the grounds of Charles de Bourdeilles, Count de Matha, because it was one of the chiefs of the Sling.

An important old people's home was beside the church with Marestay and made it possible to the pilgrims of Saint-Jacob de Compostelle to stop there.

Saint-Hérie and Marestay formed independent communes formerly. May 6th, 1818, by royal decree, Saint Hérie is joined together in Matha.

The river with license the presence of mills, six hatters and the steeping of hemp.

The vine growing was always present at Matha, in spite of the epidemic of the Phylloxéra which destroyed the vineyard at the end of the XIXe century what caused one period of great misery. At the 19th century, hemp was the 2nd culture, the breeding and the mixed-farming developed, with creation of a dairy with Matha, transferred to Surgères at the beginning of the year 1980.

Administration

In 1793 the commune of Matha belongs to the district of Saint-Jean-in Angély then of the district of Saint-Jean-in Angély like chief town of canton. In 1801 Matha Maretay absorbs, then Saint-Herié in 1818. From 1926 to 1943 Matha is placed in the district of Holy before returning in that of Saint-Jean-in Angély, always like chief town of canton.

Demography

Matha gained population during first half of the 19th century mainly by absorbing the communes of Maretay and Saint-Herié. Since its population remained stable.

Places and monuments

The city is known for its medieval castle located in the park.

Pigeon of Getrou of the 17th century, Saint-Herié church of the 12th century altered at the 14th century and church Saint-Pierre de Marestay of the 12th century

Local life

Teaching

Matha has a public nursery school of 4 classes, a public elementary school of 8 classes and a private school the school of the Providence which receives the children of the nursery school until CM2.

The College Marc Jeanjean receives approximately 400 children of the canton of Matha and the Rural Family home (establishment of private education, under supervision of the ministry for agriculture) proposes a part-time course (4th, 3rd technological and BEP) in fields going from the horticulture to the assistance veterinary surgeon for 4th and 3rd with the BEPA Services in Entreprisespour the BEP.

Others to classify

The town of matha has a market hall and markets are Tuesday, Friday and Saturday mornings whereas the fair takes place first Friday of the month. The associative complex of the Forum of the Ditches, include/understand a cinema, a library, a room of dance, as well as many other rooms and a kitchen equipped. The village hall, it, can accommodate approximately 400 people.

The annual festival of folklore which allowed an exchange of the cultures is arrété after several years when the association of ajhassons (ajhassons them: in small residents of Charente the ajasses) disappeared.

Sports activities

The nautical club mathalien, Athlétic forces, Sports and leisures, Loisirs for all, the Bicycle-club mathalien, the club of yoga and the Hikers of the Country of Matha are the sporting clubs of Matha. The courts of tennis, the football field, the room of fencing, a track of roller-club and an adventure playground for smallest are joined together in the municipal park.

Personalities related to the commune

See too

Common of the Charente-Maritime

External bonds

the site of the town of Matha (the Community of Communes of the Country of Matha)
Matha on the site of the national geographical Institute
Matha on the site of INSEE
Matha on the site of Quid
Localization of Matha on a chart of France and communes bordering
Plane on Matha on Mapquest
Inventory of the pieces of furniture of the castle of Matha towards 1750

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