Harfleur

Harfleur (called in the middle ages Hareftot), a town in the French department of Seine-Inférieure, is situated on the estuary of the Seine, 4 miles E. of Havre. Formerly Harfleur was an important seaport and maritime fortress, but the rise of Havre, coupled with the sanding up of its harbour, led to its decay. Pop. 2317. It was taken after a six weeks' siege by the English under Henry V. in 1415, and during the next twenty-five years changed hands three times. It was pillaged by the Huguenots in 1562.