Mons

Mons (Flem. Bergen), the capital of the Belgian province of Hainault, on the Trouille, 38 miles SSW. of Brussels. Its fortifications, renewed and strengthened since 1818, were demolished in 1862; but the country around can be laid under water. The Canal de Condé connects Mons with the Scheldt. The church of St Waudru (1450-1589) is a masterpiece of Gothic; and there are a townhall (1458), a belfry (1662) 275 feet high, a good library, &c. The manufactures include woollen and cotton goods, cutlery, and sugar; whilst the vicinity forms an extensive coalfield. Pop. (1875) 24,539; (1895) 25,350. Mons, occupying the site of one of Cæsar's camps, was made the capital of Hainault by Charlemagne in 804. France, Spain, and Austria often contended for its possession. See Boussu's Histoire de Mons (2 vols. 1868).