The Second Empire witnessed a remarkable development of business activity which, after the momentary stoppage caused by the War of 1870 and the Prussian occupation (see military section), made of Rheims, at the end of the 19th century, one of the great commercial and industrial cities of France. The population increased from about 30,000 (in 1792) to 59,000 (in 1865) and to more than 115,000 in 1912.
When the War of 1914 broke out, the rich and ancient city was still as La Fontaine had described it:
"No town is dearer to me than Rheims,
The Honour and Glory of our France."
RHEIMS, FROM AN OLD ENGRAVING (1622)
MILITARY HISTORY
If the military and commercial situation of Rheims destined it, from early times, to be a great city, it also exposed it to the greed of ambitious foreigners, and opened the road to invasion.
During the Hundred Years' War the city was fiercely disputed. On December 4th, 1359, Edward III. of England besieged it. On January 11th, 1360, a sortie of the troops and burghers, under Remi Grammaire, compelled him to raise the siege, in recognition of which feat of arms Charles V. permitted the "fleur-de-lys" (emblem of the Royal House of France) to be emblazoned on the City's coat of arms. Since then the Shield of Rheims has been: In chief France ancient, in base argent Two, laurel branches in Saltire vert. In 1420 the English were more successful and entered Rheims, whose gates were opened to them by Philippe-le-Bon, Duke of Burgundy. Nine years later (July 16th, 1429) the Dauphin of France and Joan-of-Arc entered the town, then finally delivered, by the Dieu-Lumière Gate (formerly the Gate of St. Nicaise).