Editing Haute-Vienne (section)

==History==
A few Paleolithic and Mesolithic remains have been found in the department, Neolithic inhabitants are attested to by standing stones and by burial chambers, like the dolmen Chez Boucher in [[La Croix-sur-Gartempe]], and others at [[Berneuil, Haute-Vienne|Berneuil]] and [[Breuilaufa]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tourisme-haut-limousin.com/t?p=210000914&lei=68&criteres=30000279 |title=Circuit des Mégalithes (CIEUX - Monts de Blond) |publisher=Tourisme Intercommunal du Haut Limousin |language=fr |access-date=2015-09-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223030/http://www.tourisme-haut-limousin.com/t?p=210000914&lei=68&criteres=30000279 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Artefacts from the [[Bronze Age]] include axe heads found at [[Châlus]]. With the coming of the Romans, trade was opened up and gold and tin were mined. Agriculture developed and grapes were grown; [[amphora]]e for storing wine were found at [[Saint-Gence]]. During the reign of Augustus, the city of Augustoritum was founded (later to become Limoges) at a strategic ford across the Vienne. The Romans built roads from here to [[Brittany]], [[Lyon]] and the Mediterranean. The city declined in the third century when barbarian invasions of the region took place.

The domination of the Visigoths was short-lived and [[Clovis I]] seized control of Limousin after the battle of Vouillé in 507.<ref>{{cite book|author1=J.A.A. Barny de Romanet|author2=Rougnard|author3=Bibliothèque du Palais des Arts|title=Histoire de Limoges et du Haut et Bas Limousin, mise en harmonie avec les points les plus curieux de l'histoire de France...|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z5nh7mlIY5UC&pg=PA347 |year=1821 |publisher=H. et P. Barbou Frères |pages=347–}}</ref> By 674, the region was attached to the duchy of Aquitaine, and the Viscount of Limoges was created. There followed an unsettled period with various powers vying for control. In 1199, [[Richard Cœur de Lion]] was mortally wounded during the siege of the [[Château de Châlus-Chabrol]]. The region was much involved in the [[Hundred Years' War]] and at the [[Treaty of Brétigny]] in 1360, France granted England a large area of territory comprising much of Limousin. Limoges city rebelled and gave its allegiance to the French crown, and as a result was sacked in 1370. Further troubled years followed but when peace was restored, the department benefited economically; tanneries sprang up by the Vienne, paper was produced, printing developed and the area became known for fine [[Vitreous enamel|enamelwork]]. After a revolt by the peasants, [[Henri IV]] brought peace and prosperity to the region of Limousin. He visited Limoges in 1607 and was greeted enthusiastically. The Counter-Reformation led to the creation of numerous convents and religious orders, especially in Limoges. In 1761, [[Anne Robert Jacques Turgot]] was appointed ''intendent'' (tax collector) of Limoges. He negotiated a reduction in taxes payable by the region and developed fairer methods of collecting taxes, as well as improving the road system and encouraging agricultural development.<ref>{{cite book |title=Anne Robert Jacques Turgot, 1727-1781: Volume 27 of Short list, Bernard Quaritch (Firma) |year=2000 |publisher=Bernard Quaritch }}</ref> Around 1765, [[kaolin]] was discovered near [[Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche]] in the south of the department, and the [[porcelain]] industry developed.

The department was created on 4 March 1790, during the French Revolution, the southern half being a subdivision of the Region of Limousin while the northern half was carved out of the county of Marche, as well as some parts of [[Angoumois]] and [[Poitou]]. At first it was given the number 81, but in the nineteenth century, the number was changed to the 87th department, when further land to the east and northeast was added. It takes its name from the upper reaches of the Vienne which flows through it. In 1998, the southwest part of the department, together with the northern part of the region of [[Périgord]] was designated as the [[Parc Naturel Régional Périgord-Limousin]].<ref>{{cite book|author1=Abram, David |title=The Rough Guide to France|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9obU8526SiQC&pg=PA683 |year=2003 |publisher=Rough Guides |isbn=978-1-84353-056-5 |page=683}}</ref>