WALLONIA’S ‘ENGLISH’ OUTPOST For five years in the early 16th century, the border town of Tournai, notable for its five-spired cathedral, belonged to England. It was captured from the French (who controlled the region at the time) after a siege in September 1513. Ten days later the young king Henry VIII rode into town to view his latest acquisition, and ordered an extensive fortress to be built on the bank of the river Escault. Only a single round tower – Tour de Henri VIII - survives to this day. The English occupation of Tournai was short-lived. Peace was made with the French, and the town was returned to them in 1518. Henry had other business on his mind. Tournai remains the only town in Belgium that was once an outpost of England. By Frank Partridge
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