Editing Veurne (section)

===Origins up to the 15th century===
Veurne, in Latin ''[[List of Latin place names in Continental Europe|Furna]]'', is first found in 877 as a possession of the [[Saint Bertin]] Abbey in [[Saint-Omer]].  Around 890 AD, it was noted as a successful fortification against the [[Viking]] raids.  It soon was placed at the head of the [[castellan]]y of Veurne, a large territory counting 42 parishes and some 8 half-independent parishes, owing allegiance to the [[Count of Flanders]].  Veurne became a city in the 12th century.  During the following century, trade with England flourished.  In 1270, however, the relations with England came to a standstill and the city's economy went into a long decline; hence the nickname of the Veurne Sleepers.  On August 20, 1297, the [[Battle of Furnes|Battle of Veurne]] was fought in the ongoing struggle between the Flemish cities and the French king.

The gothic church of Saint Walburga and the tower of the church of Saint Nicolas, date from that period. Saint Walburga housed a chapter of [[Canon (priest)|canons]]. Saint Nicholas and Saint Denis (gone 18th century) were the two other parish churches and possessions of the Norbertine abbey of Saint Nicholas.