In the 13th
century, Edward I of England
bestowed on Beauregard
the status of bastide (which
the charters of the era designated as « Bastide Belli Gardi
»). Around 1268, Edward built a castle there which was owned
by a succession of families and which suffered severe damage
in various battles. The bastide was never rebuilt after the
Wars of Religion.
Bassac owes its name
to the BASSAS family (who
had their country seat there).
Bassac and Beauregard doubtless joined forces to become one
village in the aftermath of the Revolution in an attempt to
settle the quarrels and problems arisen during this period
between the two « towns ».
The famous
cartographer Pierre de Belleyme, was born at Bassac on 14th
March 1747.
Toponymy (origins of
the commune’s place names)
Beauregard :
Called Belregard in 1289.
The name originates in its geographical position, meaning «
Belle Vue » or beautiful view and was very often the name
given to a manor house.
Bassac :
Called Bacaicum in 852. The Latin word was originally a man’s
name, Bassius or Baccuis.
LaCabane :
the name comes from the
Latin ‘Capanna’ meaning cabin. Its origins date back to
prehistoric times.
Le Perier
:
Comes from the Latin
‘Petra’ meaning stone (‘pierre’) or rock or mountain. The word
can also refer to ancient ruins.
Baneuil :
Called Baniolum or
Baigneuse in the 13th century which comes from the combined
name of a Germanic person, ‘Banné’ which means field and the
Gaulish ‘lalo’ meaning clearing.
Les Mazeaux :
owes its name to leprosy.
In Arabic ‘mézorra’ means leper. The afflicted were known as
the « Mézeaux ».
La Souille :
a man’s name - either
the Gaulish ‘Sollius’ or the Latin ‘Solius’.
Beauregard et Bassac is situated in the canton of Villamblard and is reached by the D38, 4km from the St Mamet Bridge
(RN21). It has a surface area of 1182 ha and a population of
197.
Text translated by Pays du Grand Bergeracois (professional translator).
