The Royal Burgh of
Haddington
since January 1965
twinned with
Aubigny sur Nère
cité des Stuarts
The original Chateau des Stuarts, now the municipal offices of Aubigny
| An Auld Alliance The Royal Burgh of Haddington since January 1965 twinned with Aubigny sur Nère cité des Stuarts |
The original Chateau des Stuarts, now the municipal offices of Aubigny |
The main purpose of twinning is to promote international friendship, whereby citizens of different places make a conscious attempt to come to know and understand each other, and, through that relationship, to contribute to peace and goodwill between all the countries of the world.
Many now recognise that nothing but good can come of meetings between peoples of different nationalities who wish to exchange ideas freely and seek common interests and experiences. Twinning is now widespread, Britain alone has some fifteen hundred twinning links with different European towns and with places further afield.
This is a brief description of Haddington's twin town of Aubigny-sur Nere in France and its interesting historical connection with the Scots for nearly 400 years.
The picturesque little town of Aubigny lies 109 miles south of Paris in the centre of a heavily-wooded region, and is popular for many country pursuits.
| Like Haddington, much has been done to
preserve many of its historic buildings. The old 15th and
16th century half-timbered houses, the Chateau des
Stuarts (now the Hotel de Ville), the cheerful Rue du
Prieuré, the Place du Marché and the Eglise St. Martin
are all a delight to see, and a few miles outside the
town the impressive 15th century Château de Blancafort
and the Château de la Verrerie, the latter-day residence
of the Stuarts, in its charming setting, is a fine
example of Renaissance architecture. Smaller than
Haddington, Aubigny has a population of about 6000, and
is an important commercial centre for the surrounding
area, with its main source of employment from light
industry, machine tools, furniture and garments. Aubigny
is a good centre from which to explore this attractive
region. Within easy reach are nearby GIEN on the River
Loire 17 miles, SANCERRE and its famous vineyards 27
miles, to the South BOURGES and its lovely Cathedral 28
miles. To the North-West lies Orléans 43 miles, and the
famous Châteaux of the Loire 62 miles. Recreations: Excellent facilities for Camping, Swimming, Boating, Fishing, a spacious public park and pleasant walks. |
 Le Chateau de la Verrerie, residence of the Stuarts and the Dukes of Richmond and Lennox for 400 years |
The question is often asked how it was that Aubigny-sur-Nere came to be known as La Cité des Stuarts. The following few historical notes may serve to answer that question.
| In 1419, during the Hundred Years War,
when the English possessed more than half of France, the
future King Charles VII of France, hemmed in by the
English, near Bourges, invoked The Auld Alliance with the
Scots. He appealed for help to the Regent of Scotland who
sent across a large army under the leadership of Sir John
Stuart. The Scots contributed greatly to the defeat of
the English, although they themselves suffered heavy
casualties. In 1423, as a reward for their brilliant
service, Sir John Stuart and his successors were given
the possession of Aubigny and the surrounding lands. For more than 200 years, succeeding Stuarts continued to give outstanding service to Aubigny-sur-Nere - City of the Stuarts. During the 17th century the Seigneurie of Aubigny passed to Charles II's mistress, Louise de Kerouaille, Duchess of Portsmouth, who made her home there for 50 years. After her death it passed to the first Duke of Richmond and Lennox, the illegitimate son of Charles II and Louise de Kerouaille. But as the years went on the Dukes of Richmond and Lennox spent less and less time in their French estates and so neglected their duties there that, as a result of their desultory interest and the upheavals of the French Revolution, all their properties and land were confiscated and in 1812 Aubigny-sur-Nere became French again. |
 One of the four frescoes in the gallery of the Chateau de la Verrerie |
There is an interesting link with the Stuarts to be found in Lennoxlove, the house of the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon, just outside Haddington. Frances Stuart, the daughter of Walter Stuart, 2nd Lord Blantyre, who lived her early life in France was known as "La Belle Stuart". She moved in Court circles but managed to resist the advances of King Charles II and other admirers.
| In 1667, she eloped with Charles, 6th
Duke of Lennox, with whom she was deeply in love.
Tragically, however, he was drowned soon after the
marriage. Towards the end of her life, Frances Stuart, Duchess of Lennox, purchased the Estate and Castle of Lethington which she bequeathed to her cousin, the 5th Lord Blantyre with the instruction that he should re-name the Castle "Lennox's love to Blantyre", hence Lennoxlove. Visitors to Lennoxlove can see portraits of the Duke of Lennox and "La Belle Stuart", and three pieces of furniture, one of which was given to her by her ardent admirer King Charles II. |
 Lennoxlove, home of the Duke of Hamilton |
Under its Constitution, the aims of the Haddington Twinning Association are:-
In other words, to become acquainted with the people of Aubigny and to forge the bonds of friendship between our two towns.
To achieve the above aims, the committee of the Haddington twinning association would welcome the support and involvement of as wide a span of the town's active associations and residents as possible, including cultural, social and sporting organisations, local government officials, professional people, industrial and commercial enterprises, senior citizens, youth groups and schools, (next year's school exchange visit will be the 30th).
Membership of the Haddington twinning association is open to all persons who reside or have their place of work in Haddington and the surrounding area, or who used to live or work there, and to local organisations.
If you are interested, please contact the Secretary of the Association,
c/o East Lothian Council ( Tel , 01620 824161)
Haddington has much to offer its citizens in the way of activities and cultural societies, and the members of the committee hope you will agree that the Haddington twinning association should play an active part in the life of our town.
1997