south ayrshire council

Both the Scottish National Party (SNP) and Labour made no gains or losses to remain as the second and third parties respectively. Her influence can be seen in the sculptural dcor such as dormer windows on the main residence, the Golden Crown Tower (Tour de la Couronne Dore), all marked by early signs of the Renaissance style, emerging in Italy. French people call them les Nantais and les Nantaises. Whats the Difference Between Great Britain and the United Kingdom? Contact your local council if there's a change to your: name. Read more details about Les Machines de lle here: http://www.lesmachines-nantes.fr/en/. Divided between the Paris basin and the Armorican Massif, Sarthe's topography is composed of Jurassic limestone to the north and to the east; the remainder of the region consists primarily of silurian schists, granite and reddish-brown sandstone. He remains famous and nowadays embodies the French Resistance. With winds mainly blowing from the sea the annual mean temperatures are in the range 9.5 to 9.9C (49.1 to 49.8F) in coastal areas of South Ayrshire such as Ayr and Troon. During the Second World War, the city of Nantes was at the heart of the French Rsistance. In 1991, the Pont de Chevir (Chevir Bridge) was finally constructed over the Loire River, completing the ring road of the city. Sources: La France - Dpartements at quid.fr; and Loire-Atlantique Tourism Bureau. KEX&w-M]~_. dailyrecord. Maps of local authority area boundaries in Scotland. South Ayrshire forms part of two Scottish Parliamentary constituency seats, listed below: Regional List MSPs If you cross the Place du Commerce (Commerce Square), heading towards the north, you will reach, within a few steps, the Place Royale (Royal Square), another beauty of the City. The Top 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in France, Top 20 Most Popular French Cities for International Visitors, The Essential Guide to Alsace, France: What to See & Do, Pilgrimage Walking Routes From France to Spain, 7 Chteaux You Can See by Train or Bus From Paris. Also, the idea of reunification is mainly expounded by a minority located in Brittany and the majority of the population does not consider this issue a major one and are satisfied with the status quo. Save my name, email and website in the browser for my next comment. With a turnout of 69.8%, 36,265 votes were cast for remain and 25,241 were cast for leave. In general, December is the dullest month and May or June the sunniest. Nantes is the capital city of the Pays de la Loire region and the dpartement of Loire-Atlantique. Design and concept by Ian C. Mills and the Wharton Group. It is one of the most important (Paris excluded), together with those of Lille, Toulouse, Rouen, Bordeaux and Lyon. The region is cut from east to west by the Loire River. As a consequence, the city council started to restructure the city and to improve the safety of some neighbourhoods. Note: Your feedback will help us make improvements on this site. The Chteau des Ducs de Bretagne is definitely worth a visit. The castle was listed as a historical monument in 1862 and was sold to the city of Nantes in 1915. Cattle are raised on the Kyle plain in the north, and cattle and sheep on the Carrick uplands in . Sources: La France - Dpartements at quid.fr; and Sarthe Tourism Bureau. Your email address will not be published. If you are more interested in arts, do not miss seeing the Muse des Beaux-arts, located on Rue Georges Clemenceau, perpendicular to Cours Saint Pierre in front of the rear entrance of the Cathedral. Election results since 1995 have been as follows:[16], The council is based at County Buildings on Wellington Square in Ayr, which had been built in 1931 as the headquarters for the old Ayrshire County Council, being an extension to the older Sheriff Court built in 1818. South Ayrshire covered the same area as the abolished Kyle and Carrick district, and also took over the functions of the abolished Strathclyde Regional Council within the area. The Conservatives retained two of the three seats they won at the previous election and lost one to independent candidate Bob Shields while the SNP retained their only seat. The Conservatives (2), the SNP (1) and Labour (1) retained the seats they won at the previous election. As well, Nantes botanical garden was created in its current form by Jean Marie Ecorchard, a botanical teacher named in 1836 as chairman of the botanic sector. [21] However, the Conservative group formed a minority administration and took control of the council[22] after the first full-council meeting thanks to Labour abstentions. History. Industrial pollution and smoke haze can also reduce sunshine amounts, but the decline in heavy industry in the Ayrshire area, primarily in Ayr in South Ayrshire along with Kilmarnock in East Ayrshire, has resulted in an increase in sunshine duration particularly in the winter months. Burns House was subsequently demolished in 2021, creating a new open space, landscaped with funding from the Scottish Government. A few hours before his death, he wrote a poignant letter. The region presents a geological diversity of schists, silica and alluvial soil. Nantes finally fell in 1488 and in 1532, under the reign of Francis I, the Duchy of Brittany was united with the Kingdom of France, thanks to Claude de France (wife of Francis I and daughter of Anne of Brittany who was the previous queen and the last duchess of Brittany) who donated the Duchy to her husband. The area had an estimated population in 2021 of 112,450. Keep walking until you reach the Jardin des Plantes, a stunning place, full of colours during summer and autumn. South Ayrshire, council area, southwestern Scotland. Please note the alternative number will still be subject to your providers international call rates. Each ward elected either three or four members, using the STV electoral system. Some of our services can be contacted via social media. It stretches along the shores of the Firth of Clyde and includes the steep rock of Ailsa Craig at its mouth. NEXT PAGE Anjou, Maine, Nantes, LeMans. Omissions? Customers calling from abroad may be charged at premium rate and should check with their own telephone providers before calling. File size 325.2 kB Download South Lanarkshire Council area map. Other areas of significance include the towns of Maybole and Girvan which are located to the south of the council area in the district of Carrick. With a population of 483,027 (1990 census), the Vende comprises a total of 31 cantons and 281 communes (see map). (2001) 112,097; (2011) 112,799. As a result, the SNP planned to run the council as a minority administration on a "collaboration and consensus basis". The prfecture (capital) is La Roche-sur-Yon; the sous-prfectures are Fontenay-le-Comte and Les Sables d'Olonne. Councillors claimed the move was "vital . The towers of Pied-de-Biche and Boulangerie (crowbar and bakery towers) flank the main entrance of the castle and protect the drawbridge. Unlike the previous vote, the Conservatives fielded the highest number of candidates at 19 seven more than they had in 2017. Among departments in France, Maine-et-Loire ranks fifth in farming, and also boasts some 49,421 acres (20,000 ha) of vineyards which produce 27 different A.O.C. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. You can see the coats of arms of the Duchess carved on the Boulangerie Tower(the right one in the picture). Find more details about Nantes Fine Arts Museum here. Despite being a costal area, the smallest employment in South Ayrshire is in the agriculture and fishing sector. Then, Cours Saint Pierre, the Muse des Beaux-Arts (Fine-arts museum), the Jardin des Plantes (Botanical garden) and last but not least, the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany. SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER AND GET THE FREE EBOOK, Bravo! contact details. Two independents were also returned. [8], The council and its neighbours of East Ayrshire and North Ayrshire work together on economic growth as the Ayrshire Regional Economic Partnership, with support from the Scottish and UK governments and other private and public sector organisations. In fact, the Machines de lle occupy former disused shipyards. St. Pierre and St. Paul Cathedral: Begun in 1434, the Gothic cathedral wasn't finished until the end of the 19th century. Information and services for residents, businesses and visitors to South Ayrshire. Council tax is to soar by five per cent in South Ayrshire. Enter a postcode or a street name or a building name to find out about your bin collections. 150,605), and sous-prfectures are La Flche and Mamers. On 20 October 1941, the Feltcommandant Karl Hotz was shot during an operation led by three French resistance fighters. It provides a consistent and transparent approach to the planning enforcement process. See also: Ville de La Flche, Ville de Mamers. South Ayrshire lies entirely within the historic county of Ayrshire. Edited by Ian C. Mills. Pop. West Dunbartonshire Council 35; Dundee City Council 34; South Ayrshire Council 33; Angus Council 29; Inverclyde Council 28; Stirling Council 21; Clackmannanshire Council 17; East Renfrewshire Council 15 . As part of the South Scotland electoral region, South Ayrshire is represented by 7 regional MSPs who are elected to represent the entire South Scotland region all regional list MSPs elected for the South Scotland region are listed below: At the 2014 Scottish independence referendum South Ayrshire rejected independence by an above-average margin of 57.9% "No" to 42.1% "Yes". Finished in 2000, the new Law Court is different from other traditional Law courts in the main cities which are often roman style buildings. File size 362.1 kB Download West Dunbartonshire Council area map. It was one of the last cities to recognise King Henry IV. This is the Cookie Policy for South Ayrshire Council, accessible from www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk. the 500-metre walk along the battlements where you will enjoy various different views of the city or views of different parts of the castle. Its Atlantic coast is the site of a number of fishing and shipping ports, and ducks are also raised in this area. At the end of the 1990s, Nantes was the first city in France in terms of expansion and development: its harbour has become the fifth most important in France. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Political control of the council since 1996 has been as follows:[16], The leaders of the council since 1996 have been:[17][18], Since 2007 elections have been held every five years under the single transferable vote system, introduced by the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004. In 2017, Hugh Hunter was elected as a Conservative candidate. Nantes,the capital of the Pays de la Loire region of northwestern France, was named by Time magazine as the most livable city in Europe in 2004. In February the mean daily minimum temperature varies from about 2C in most of the islands, 1 to 2C along most of the Solway Firth and lowland inland areas, but less than 1C in parts of the Southern Uplands and central Highlands. The slave trade was initiated in Nantes which was the last harbour to facilitate it. (Scotland) Act 1994, which replaced Scotland's previous local government structure of upper-tier regions and lower-tier districts with unitary council areas providing all local government services.South Ayrshire covered the same area as the abolished Kyle and Carrick district, and also took over the functions of the . Also famous in the neighbourhood are the Anneaux de Buren, located on the Antilles wharf (Quai des Antilles) far west of the island. Also try a gateau nantais, a cake that's a mixture of sugar, almonds, butter, and Antilles rum. This area was once populated by a Gallic tribe, the Diablintes, whose capital Jublains has revealed interesting archeological artifacts traces of Gallo-Roman civilization. The Liberal Democrats named six candidates in this election after fielding none in South Ayrshire in 2017. After a long walk in the direction of the Cours Cambronne you can lie down on the grass and rest for a while under the trees. Its northern section was derived from the western side of the old province of Maine or bas Maine. [27][28], At the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum a majority of voters in South Ayrshire voted for the United Kingdom to remain a member of the European Union (EU), with 59% of voters in South Ayrshire voting for the United Kingdom to remain a member of the EU and 41% voting for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union. The Council's commercial portfolio of around 270 establishments includes shops, industrial units, ground lets etc. The new Riverside Public Realm Space is nearing completion (Image: South Ayrshire Council) The first pictures of a project that has been seven years in the making have emerged . Fishing is popular in the ocean or in the Vende's rivers and lakes. The warm Gulf Stream also has a strong influence on western Scotland. For the traveler, this means the nightlife in Nantes is quite lively. The original structure, the former sheriff court at the eastern end of the complex, is Category A listed building, while the main office building at the western end of the complex, is a Category B listed building. Ayrshire Live. Beancounters took the "difficult decision" to hike the rates at a budget meeting this morning. Those in favour of the reunification maintain that Loire-Atlantique and Nantes are culturally, historically and geographically united to Brittany whereas those against it claim that reunification would create a negative and non-productive concurrency between the two historical capital cities: Rennes and Nantes; and that it would be dramatic for the Pays de la Loire region, in economic terms. The Znith hosts various events such as big concerts but also one-man shows and important ballets. Therefore, the city centre, the historical centre of Nantes, is rather small but overflowing with various buildings, parks and other monuments. Official page of SAC. [15] Political leadership is provided by the leader of the council. Check school holidays and find out about local services including housing, council tax and benefits. Follow the street and you will reach the Museum within a few steps. Tourism Bureau: Comit Dpartemental du Tourisme de la Mayenne Conseil Gnral de la Mayenne Htel du Dpartement 39, rue Mazagran, BP 1429, 53014 Laval Cdex Phone: (+33) 02.43.66.53.53; Fax: (+33) 02.43.53.58.82 E-mail: president@cg53.fr Web site: http://www.tourisme-mayenne.com/ (or) http://www.cg53.fr/. Cattle are raised on the Kyle plain in the north, and cattle and sheep on the Carrick uplands in the south, which are also extensively forested. The village of Nieul-sur-l'Autise is believed to be the birthplace of Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204) and was part of her kingdom. Maine-et-Loire, dpartement #49 in west central France, was formed mainly from the former province of Anjou. As a reprisal, the Nazis chose fifty hostages who were shot 2 days later on 22 October 1941. Four years later, the TGV (Train Grande Vitesse High-speed train) arrived in Nantes. British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact usdirect by usingContact Scotland BSL. Sources: La France - Dpartements at quid.fr; and Mayenne Tourism Bureau. Daniel Buren wanted his rings to symbolise the chains of the slaves and also the idea of union between the land, the river and the ocean. Nowadays historic buildings such as the former Palais de la Bourse (Stock Exchange), restored during the 20th Century and now occupied by a FNAC store, have been converted into big stores. To Paris (less than 4 hours following the A11). Please make use of our online services wherever possible. [6], Average annual rainfall totals range from less than 1,000mm (39in) in the upper Clyde valley and along the coasts of Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway to on average over 3,500mm (140in) over the higher parts of the west Highlands, approaching the maximum values found in the UK (over 4,000 millimetres or 160 inches further north).[6]. The three towns form a contiguous urban area in the northwest that houses most of South Ayrshires population. [3], In 2021, South Ayrshire submitted a bid for city status as part of the 2022 Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. wines. Required fields are marked. This blog is run by Pierre Guernier for French Moments Ltd, a company founded by Pierre and Rachel Guernier and based in the south coast of England. Just like le de la Cit in Paris, Nantes also has its island which has been shaped by the Loire River. The building was designed by the famous architect Jean Nouvel. To activate your Scotland Loves Local South Ayrshire Gift Card, please enter the 6-digit activation code (sent to you by post in November 2022) and your 16-digit . (Scotland) Act 1994, 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, "Local Government etc. [1], There was one change to the composition of the council following the previous election in 2017. In addition, another masterpiece of the Museum is the monumental marble staircase leading to the first floor. Elections to South Ayrshire Council took place on 5 May 2022 on the same day as the 31 other Scottish local government elections. Tourism Bureaus: Comit Dpartemental du Tourisme de la Sarthe 40, rue de Joinville, 72000 Le Mans Phone: (+33) 02.43.40.22.50; Fax: (+33) 02.43.40.22.51 E-mail: tourisme@sarthe.com Web site: http://tourisme.sarthe.com/ Conseil Gnral de la Sarthe Htel du Dpartement 72072 Le Mans Cdex 9 Phone: (+33) 02.43.54.70.06; Fax: (+33) 02.43.23.32.67 E-mail: contact@cg72.fr Web site: http://www.sarthe.com/ (or) http://www.cg72.fr/. Tourism Bureaus: Comit Rgional du Tourisme des Pays de la Loire (CRT) 2, rue de la Loire, BP 20411, F-44204 Nantes Cdex 2 Phone: (+33) 02.40.48.24.20; Fax: (+33) 02.40.08.07.10 Web site: http://www.westernloire.com/ (English site; see also French, German) Rgion des Pays de la Loire (Regional Government Office) 44966 Nantes Cdex 9 Phone: (+33) 02.28.20.50.00; Fax: (+33) 02.28.20.50.05 Web site: http://www.paysdelaloire.fr/. Tourism Bureaus: Comit Dpartemental du Tourisme de l'Anjou Place Kennedy, BP 32147, 49021 Angers Cdex 02 Phone: (+33) 02.41.23.51.51; Fax: 02.41.88.36.77 E-mail: infos@anjou-tourisme.com Web site: http://www.anjou-tourisme.com/ Conseil Gnral de Maine-et-Loire Htel du Dpartement Place Michel Debr, BP 94104, 49041 Angers Cdex 01 Phone: (+33) 02.41.81.49.49 E-mail: info@cg49.fr Web site: http://www.cg49.fr/. Situated mostly in the Armorican Massif, the department covers an area of 2,695 square miles (6,980 km2), with a population of 1,052,183 (1990 census) in 53 cantons and 221 communes (see map). P ays de la Loire is a region of western France, comprising the departments of Loire-Atlantique (44), Maine-et-Loire (49), Mayenne (53), Sarthe (72) and Vende (85). Conservative councillor Hugh Hunter was de-selected in the run-up to the 2022 elections and resigned from the party to stand as an independent. Named after the river which runs through the south-eastern part of the department, Vende covers an area of 2,692 square miles (6,971 km2); its highest point is Mont Mercure (935 feet/285 m). We use cookies to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing By scrolling down to this point, you have officially browsed the entire website of French Moments! Indeed, even though the regions administrative services were located in Rennes, Nantes, thanks to its geographical position, its harbour and its key role in The Triangular Tradewas able to grow and soon became one of the biggest harbours in Europe. eV4D[>R@%4D9" Jc9[,$(Z We use cookies to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing "Scottish Conservatives to drop Prestwick councillor Hugh Hunter from 2022 local election team", "Former South Ayrshire Conservative councillor Hugh Hunter confirms Independent bid for May election", "Scottish council elections 2022: South Ayrshire candidates revealed for May 5 vote", "Declaration of Results Report Ward 1 Troon", "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report Ward 1 Troon", "Declaration of Results Report Ward 2 Prestwick", "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report Ward 2 Prestwick", "Declaration of Results Report Ward 3 Ayr North", "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report Ward 3 Ayr North", "Declaration of Results Report Ward 4 Ayr East", "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report Ward 4 Ayr East", "Declaration of Results Report Ward 5 Ayr West", "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report Ward 5 Ayr West", "Declaration of Results Report Ward 6 Kyle", "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report Ward 6 Kyle", "Declaration of Results Report Ward 7 Maybole, North Carrick and Coylton", "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report Ward 7 Maybole, North Carrick and Coylton", "Declaration of Results Report Ward 8 Girvan and South Carrick", "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report Ward 8 Girvan and South Carrick", "SNP to run South Ayrshire as minority administration as Labour claim 'political stitch-up', "BREAKING: Tories take control of South Ayrshire Council", "Every Scottish council with a Tory-Labour deal - see the full list", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2022_South_Ayrshire_Council_election&oldid=1130316443, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 29 December 2022, at 15:58. Here you can take some nice pictures of the blue granite fountain with different sculptures symbolising the four rivers: the Erdre, the Svre, the Cher and the Loiret; a marble statue at the top, representing the City of Nantes, armed with the trident of Neptune, the Roman god of the seas and the oceans, which reflects the harbour city. [9], Educational provision in South Ayrshire is offered via eight secondary schools, forty-one primary schools, two special needs schools and five stand-alone Early Years Centres (although some primary schools have Early Years Centres attached). On 25 May 1800, a violent explosion destroyed the Tour des Espagnols (Spaniards Tower) leaving a hole in the rampart. Edited by Ian C. Mills. In addition, the Sun King promulgated le Code Noir (Black Code) which legalised slavery and the slave trade. Moreover, the city has a reputation for being a green city, always looking for improvement in terms of reducing pollution. Near the Passage Pommeraye and the Place Royale is the Maison des Vins de Loire, the Loire Valley Wine Center, located in the former "wine port" of Nantes, where you can buy the local wines of the Loire Valley. All you have to do is click on the link and any booking you make is automatically tracked. [2][3], The total number of candidates increased from 45 in 2017 to 61 mainly due to the increased number of parties contesting the election. File type 1 page PDF. Nationally 55.3% of voters voted "No" in the referendum compared to 44.7%, who voted "Yes" resulting in Scotland remaining a devolved part of the United Kingdom. Inside the Muse des Beaux-arts, you will find different collections, from Ancient Paintings (13th to 18th century) to Modern Art (19th and 20th century), which includes various famous painters such as Rubens, Watteau, Delacroix, Monet, Picasso, and Renoir. Grolier Interactive Inc., Danbury, CT); Angers Tourism Office; CRT Pays de la Loire; and Rgion des Pays de la Loire. Elections to South Ayrshire Council took place on 5 May 2022 on the same day as the 31 other Scottish local government elections. South Ayrshire Council South Ayrshire councillors facing toughest ever budget this week South Ayrshire Council faces a 37.8m financial shortfall over the next three years, but is using new PPP . In South Ayrshire we deliver and commission a broad range of services, meaning the Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) is in contact with citizens at all stages of life. On top of the must-do list is lunch at La Cocotte in Verre on the Ile de Versailles, followed by a relaxing boat trip down the River Erdre, with its gorgeous scenery and famous mansions on both sides. Nantes is the sixth largest city in France and is considered one of the most desirable places to live in the country. Ouropening hours are Monday to Thursday 9am - 4:45pm and Friday 9am - 4pm. The SNP, the Conservatives and independent candidate Brian Connolly retained the seats they won at the previous election. Pedestrians can reach the le de la Cit from the Old Town via Victor Schoelcher footbridge. The Machines de lle is an artistic, touristic and cultural project founded by Franois Delarozire and Pierre Orefice. This is the Cookie Policy for South Ayrshire Council, accessible from www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk Read more information about communicating with us through social media. Even though some prehistoric items, such as axes, have been found there, the history of Nantes begins during the Gallic period, with the Namnetes, a tribe that founded the city in 70 BC. However, the inside is a mixture of different styles, combining the old style of architecture and modernism, especially with the glass roof which covers the patio, the core of the museum. Finally, the Petit Gouvernement was built under the reign of Franois I and was used as the residence of French Kings. Independent candidate Alec Clark, the SNP and the Conservatives held the seats they won at the previous election. @southayrshire. We are closed duringpublic holidays. This is a largely ceremonial role, chairing council meetings and acting as the area's first citizen. The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany is the main symbol and main monument of the city. Covering an area of 2,787 square miles (7,218 km2), it has a varied landscape with forested ranges of hills in the south and north, separated by the valley of the Loire. South Ayrshire was created in 1996 under the Local Government etc. Although an elected councillor, the provost is expected to be politically impartial. As mentioned before, Nantes was for a long time the capital city of the Duchy of Brittany. With a population of 278,037 (1990 census), Mayenne comprises a total of 29 cantons and 259 communes (see map). Read more information about communicating with us through social media.. County BuildingsWellington SquareAyrKA7 1DR, Christmas and New Year service arrangements, Your choice lettings and property management, Thriving Communities - Community Learning and Development. South Ayrshires GVA represents 1.9% of the total Scottish Gross Value Added income which is consistent with the previous 20 years. With over 100 miles of sandy beaches and a very mild climate, Vende is today a popular tourist destination, featuring many churches, abbeys, and museums. This 10-year vision of the partnership includes our Wellbeing . You can change your cookie settings at any time. 62% of Scottish voters voted remain whilst 38% voted leave, whilst nationally 51.8% of voters in the United Kingdom as a whole voting to leave and 48.2% voting to remain.[29][30]. Even though debate has continued, the question remains: Does Nantes belong to Brittany? Edited by Ian C. Mills. The le de Nantes is also well known for the new Law Court (Palais de Justice) building facing the northern part of the city, the Loire River as well as the Memorial to the abolition of slavery, recently opened. Nantes Botanical garden is one of the biggest in France. East Ayrshire Council 49; East Dunbartonshire Council 48; Glasgow 46; Comhairle nan Eilean Siar 43; Fife Council 42; Aberdeen City Council . A wide band of the department's southern area was taken from the ancient province of Anjou, named after the Andes or Andecavi, a Celtic tribe. According to the most recent figures from 2010, there are 284,970 people living in the city of Nantes and more than 600,000 if you include the metropolitan area. Also, the le de la Cit is one of the centres of Nantes nightlife especially the Hangar Banane (banana depot), a bar/nightclub spot loved by students. South Ayrshire forms part of two UK Parliamentary constituencies, listed below: Constituency MSPs For details on the weather, take a look at website Nantes Weather and Climate. Francis II, the last duke of an independent Brittany during the early 15th century demolished this residence to build the castle both as a ducal residence and a defensive place against the King of France.