Saint-Python

Saint-Python (sɛ̃ pitɔ̃; officially spelt Sainct-Pieton and St-Piton during different periods preceding 1800) is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. It was named after Piatus of Tournai. Its inhabitants are called Saint-Piatiens or Piatonnais. In 1176, a Leprosarium Title of Cambrai first mentions 'Santus Piatus'. 'Sancto Piato' is found in a letter by Roger de Wavrin, évêque de Cambrai in 1182 and in the Communal Charter of Solesmes in 1202. 'Python' is a deformation of 'Piatus or Piat'. The church of the commune is also under the name of Saint-Piat also named Piat de Seclin or Piatus of Tournai, thus confirming the origin of the name of the village. The following chronologically-ordered dates mark the historical events which had the most impact on Saint-Python: 57 BC: The legions of Julius Caesar marched on the Mourmont, a lieu-dit between Saint-Python and Solesmes to lead the Battle of the Sabis, and were nearly defeated. 1074: Saint Lietbertus donated lands and properties located in Saint-Python to the Abbaye Saint-André du Cateau in Le Cateau-Cambrésis. 1185: Saint-Python was set on fire by Philip I, Count of Flanders. April 1263: Founding of a chapel belonging to Abbaye Saint-André. 24 February 1416: The Burgundians are housed in Saint-Python. 1437-1440: The écorcheurs (French: [ekɔʁʃœʁ], lit. "flayers") devastated the country including Saint-Python. 1450: The plague struck Saint-Python at least in 1450 and around 1669 (as quoted in Solesmes' Public Registers). 1536: Reconstruction of Saint-Python Church. 1544-1581: The village is periodically abandoned during French occupation of the region, with some inhabitants taking refuge in Cambrai, Valenciennes or Le Quesnoy. 1559: Traités du Cateau-Cambrésis: Peace between Henry II of France and Philip II of Spain. 7 July 1637: Landrecies and Le Cateau taken by the French (Turenne). Saint-Python is declared to have been abandoned after taking Landrecies. 7 November 1659: The Treaty of the Pyrenees was signed to end the 1635–1659 Franco-Spanish war.