As to the origin of the name Caudebec, authorities differ. It is thought to be of Norse or Icelandic origin, coined by the Normans. Kalder—Kalt—cold, and Bek meaning a rivulet—Kalt bek (Caudebec) meaning cold brook and applying it to the St. Gertrude river as it flows into the Seine.
Traces of former occupation of this region and of varying degrees of civilization are abundant. For centuries the land was occupied by barbarous, wandering tribes of various origin. They were continually disputing, fighting and exterminating one another. About 49 B. C. the Romans were attracted to this region. They conquered and subdued the tribes and continued to control that part of Normandy for about five centuries. There are yet evidences of Roman occupation in and about Caudebec and of the occupancy of it by barons, dukes and other royalties. Fragments of Gallo-Roman potteries are found at Caudebec, also coins stamped with Calidu upon them. Calidu was the chief tribal town of the Caletes at the time of the Roman conquests of France. Julius Caesar conquered these people and constituted a Roman colony on the site of Caudebec about 648 A. D. St. Vandrille founded a monastry "near a sparkling stream in the forest" which under the influence of Charlemange grew rapidly. It had many students, at one time over three hundred. The village of Caudebec was formed below it and the town developed rapidly in population and importance. This condition continued until late in the 9th century.
Following this the Franks gained control and established their first monarchy and with their feudal rules controlled the country and the people. In the ninth century the Norsemen—Northmen (Normans) established their colonies and took possession of the fertile valleys of northern France, where their aggressive industry and assertive ways enabled them to possess the land. They adopted civilized manners, language, customs and pursuits and became an energetic, skillful, warm-hearted, patriotic people—the best sailors, fishermen, agriculturists, and manufacturers in all France.
In the 11th century Caudebec became the commercial town and the central market in the land of Caux.
In the 16th century tanneries were established and the manufacture of gloves and hats developed extensively, becoming the chief industry. The black hat of Caudebec with the large black feather was made here as was most of the headgear worn in France. The French court adopted this Caudebec hat, a large black beaver with a long feather, and later it was used almost universally in France.
The church at Caudebec is said to be one of the finest in Normandy. It has suffered greatly by reason of the sectional wars that have repeatedly devastated the country, especially those of the 16th and 17th centuries. It was built originally in the 11th century and has been enlarged and repaired repeatedly. The splendid tower was completed in 1491.
On August 15th, 1415, Henry V of England caused the land of Caux to be the seat of war, which lasted several years. In May, 1418, the town of Caudebec, besieged by the English army under generals Warwick and Talbot, made a heroic defence, but surrendered in September. It remained in English hands until 1435 when the peasantry of Caux rebelled against English rule. A protracted war followed which caused famine and plague and the land was reduced almost to a desert. The province remained the seat of war until 1499 when Charles VII took Rouen by storm and later made triumphal entry into Caudebec with an army of 12,000 men. The country prospered, Caudebec grew—most of the houses in the town date to that period of the 15th century.
