Peronne

Péronne , town (1993 est. pop. 9,200), Somme dept., N France, in Picardy, on the Somme River. It is a farm trade center, and its manufactures include wool, bricks, furniture, and plastics. It was a residence (10th cent.) of the Frankish kings and was united to the French crown in 1477. It was there that Charles the Bold of Burgundy forced on Louis XI of France a humiliating treaty in 1468. In World War I the town was almost entirely destroyed during the five months of bloody fighting (1916) along the Somme. St. Jean Church (16th cent.) has been restored.

Fursa, St (d. c.649). Successfully establishing a monastery in Ireland, he left to escape the crowds he attracted, and, crossing to East Anglia c.633, built one near Yarmouth. When he withdrew again, he lived briefly as a hermit before going to Gaul. His monastery at Lagny, east of Paris, was built c.644. He was buried at Peronne, and a foundation developed there known as Perona Scotorum, because it attracted many Irishmen. Fursa's fame, however, rests upon his visions, which informed medieval accounts of the other world. Borne aloft by protecting angels Fursa saw the joys of the blessed, the struggles of evil spirits, the torments of sinners, and the flames destined to consume the world. Touched by a tortured soul, he bore a permanent scar as witness, and it was said that when relating his experience, he sweated profusely, despite bitter winter weather.

Audrey MacDonald