Editing Namur (section)

===Early history===
The town began as an important trading settlement in [[Celt]]ic times, straddling east–west and north–south trade routes across the [[Ardennes]]. The [[ancient Rome|Romans]] established a presence after [[Julius Caesar]] defeated the local [[Atuatuci|Aduatuci]] [[tribe]].

Namur came to prominence during the early [[Middle Ages]] when the [[Merovingians]] built a [[Citadel of Namur|castle]] or citadel on the rocky spur overlooking the town at the confluence of the two rivers. In the 10th century, it became a [[county]] in its own right. The town developed somewhat unevenly, as the counts of Namur could only build on the north bank of the Meuse - the south bank was owned by the bishops of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Liège|Liège]] and developed more slowly into the town of Jambes (now effectively a suburb of Namur). In 1262, Namur fell into the hands of the [[Count of Flanders]], and was purchased by Duke [[Philip the Good]] of [[Duchy of Burgundy|Burgundy]] in 1421.