Cambrai (Flemish Kambryk), city, northern France, in Nord Department, on the Schelde River, also called the Escaut River, in Flanders (Flemish Region). It is a farm-trade and manufacturing center; products include textiles, metal items, and processed food. The city formerly was a major center for producing cambric, a fine linen fabric named for the city and first made here. Notable structures are the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Church of Saint Géry, and the city hall.
In Roman times the city was known as Camaracum. It became the capital of a Frankish kingdom in AD445 and later (about 800) was fortified by Charlemagne. Much of the medieval history of Cambrai is a record of strife between the ruling bishops (archbishops from the 16th century) and the citizenry. In the late 15th century the city came under the Holy Roman Empire. At Cambrai, in 1508, the kings of France and Spain, the pope, and the Holy Roman emperor formed the League of Cambrai, an alliance against the Venetian Republic. The Peace of Cambrai, signed here in 1529, concluded a war (1527-29) between Francis I of France and Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. The treaty is sometimes referred to as the Paix des Dames (Ladies' Peace), the preliminary negotiations having been conducted by Louise of Savoy, mother of the French king, and Margaret of Austria, aunt of the Holy Roman emperor. Cambrai was annexed by the French crown in 1677. The city was occupied by the Germans and badly damaged in World Wars I and II. Population (1999) 33,738.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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