| Native name | Josilin |
|---|---|
| Commune status | Commune |
| Coordinates | 47.9567°N 2.5472°W |
| Arrondissement | Pontivy |
| Canton | Ploërmel |
| Insee | 56091 |
| Postal code | 56120 |
| Mayor | Nicolas Jagoudet[1] |
| Term | 2020–2026 |
| Intercommunality | Ploërmel Communauté |
| Elevation m | 30 |
| Elevation min m | 32 |
| Elevation max m | 93 |
| Area km 2 | 4.48 |
Josselin (ʒɔslɛ̃; Breton: Josilin) is a commune in the Morbihan department in Brittany in northwestern France.[2]
The commune is listed as a Village étape.[3]
History
St Meriadek is said to have founded a chapel there during the 4th century. Much later Josselin became a stronghold of the House of Rohan.
An alternative explanation for the location of the chapel concerns a labourer who in 808 discovered a wooden statue in the brambles which enabled his hitherto blind daughter to see. A chapel was constructed on the site of this miracle which subsequently grew into a church (parts of which date back to the twelfth century). A fresco in the church now recalls the Combat of the Thirty summarized below.
In 1351, during the Breton War of Succession (part of the Hundred Years' War), two groups of approximately 30 English knights (led by Robert Bramborough, the English captain of Ploërmel) and Franco-Breton knights (commanded by Jean de Beaumanoir, captain of Josselin) staged an arranged combat at a spot halfway between the Chateau de Josselin and Ploërmel. The Franco-Breton side eventually won after killing or capturing the English force, including Bramborough. This episode was later known as the Combat of the Thirty.
The Castle of Josselin can still be seen today, although only four of the original nine towers remain after the Cardinal Richelieu ordered the castle partially demolished in 1629.
Population
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 2,283 | — |
| 1975 | 2,611 | +14.4% |
| 1982 | 2,548 | −2.4% |
| 1990 | 2,338 | −8.2% |
| 1999 | 2,419 | +3.5% |
| 2007 | 2,578 | +6.6% |
| 2012 | 2,453 | −4.8% |
| 2017 | 2,495 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | 2,584 | +3.6% |
INSEE[4]
Inhabitants of Josselin are called Josselinais in French.
Breton language
In 2008, 16.05% of children attended the bilingual schools in primary education.[5]
Twin towns
Josselin is twinned with:
See also
References
- ^ "Maires du Morbihan". Préfecture du Morbihan. 7 July 2020.
- ^ Commune file, INSEE
- ^ "Josselin | Village Étape"
- ^ Population municipale entre 1968 et 2023, INSEE
- ^ (in French) Ofis ar Brezhoneg: Enseignement bilingue
- ^ "Twin towns - Complete France". Archived from the original on 2013-07-05. Retrieved 2013-07-11.
External links
- Official website (in French)
- Mayors of Morbihan Association (in French)