MAYENNE  , a

town of north-western France, capital of an arrondissement in the department of Mayenne, 19 M . N.N.E. of Laval by rail . Pop., town 7003, commune 10,020 . Mayenne is an old feudal town, irregularly built on hills on both sides of the river Mayenne . Of the old castle overlooking the river several towers remain, one of which has retained its conical roof; the vaulted chambers and chapel are ornamented in the style of the 13th century; the building is now used as a prison . The church of Notre-Dame, beside which there is a statue of Joan of Arc, dates partly from the 12th century; the choir was rebuilt in the 17th century . In the Place de Cheverus is a statue, by David of Angers, to Cardinal Jean de Cheverus (1768-1836), who was born in Mayenne . Mayenne has a subprefecture, tribunals of first instance and of commerce, a chamber of arts and manufactures, and a board of trade-arbitration . There is a school of agriculture in the vicinity . The chief industry of the place is the manufacture of tickings, linen, handkerchiefs and calicoes . Mayenne had its origin in the castle built here by Juhel, baron of Mayenne, the son of Geoffrey of Maine, in the beginning of the 11th century . It was taken by the English in 1424, and several times suffered capture by the opposing parties in the wars of religion and the Vendee .

At the beginning of the 16th century the territory passed to the

family of Guise, and in 1573 was made a duchy in favour of Charles of Mayenne, leader of the League .