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History of Angers


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Heraldry

The coat of arms of Angers bears the fleur de lys of the counts and dukes of Anjou; the key evokes the stonghold position of the city close to the Breton border. An acrostic from the Middle Ages calls it "Antique clef de France", which means "Antique key to France":

*    Antique clef de France, (antique key to France)

*    Necteté de souffrance, (sharpness of displeasure)

*    Garant contre ennemys, (guarantor against enemies)

*    Estappe d’asseurance, (step of assurance)

*    Recours de secourance, (help of relief)

*    Seccurité d’amys. (security from friends)

Under Napoleon I's rule, Angers was one of the "Bonnes villes" and was therefore allowed to ask for a new coat of arms. The bees, symbol of the First French Empire, then replaced the royal fleurs de lys.

In 1949, Angers received the 1939–1945 War Cross and since then, the decoration is sometimes placed between the two fleurs de lys.

Angers also had several mottos through its history:

*    During Antiquity: Assiuis conciliis (or consiliis);

*    From 1434 to 1480 (reign of René of Anjou): D’ardent désir;

*    In 1499: Antique clef de France;

*    Until June 1987: Angers, la qualité.]Prehistory and Antiquity



The first sign of human presence in Angers dates back to 400,000 BC. Vestiges from the Neolithic are more abundant and include numerous polished stone axes. Burials from 4,500/3,500 BC were also discovered in the actual castle grounds.

During the 5th century, the Andecavi, a Celtic people, settles north of the Loire. By the end of the Age of Iron, Angers is a relatively densely populated oppidum. The name Juliomagus, might it be more ancient, is not attested before the 3rd century AD. The Roman town consisted
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