Cotentin, THE

Cotentin, THE, the peninsula projecting from the north-west of Normandy into the English Channel, between the Bay of St Michel and the Gulf of Carentan, now forms the northern part of the department of La Manche. It is about 55 miles long and 25 broad. Under the dukes of Normandy, the Cotentin became the seat of numerous powerful barons and rich abbeys. Many of the former followed William the Conqueror to England in 1066, and the names of several of the aristocratic families of England may be traced to humble towns and villages on this peninsula (e.g. Beaumont, Bruce, Carteret, Neville). The Cotentin is highly fertile, and is famous for its herds of fine cattle. The chief town in the peninsula is Cherbourg, though the old capital is Coutances.