CAEN, the chief t. in the department of Calvados, France—formerly the capital of lower Normandy—is situated on the left bank of the Orne, about 9 m. from its mouth, 122 m. w.n.w. of Paris. C. is built in the middle of a fertile plain; its streets are wide and clean, it has several fine squares, and many noble specimens of ancient Norman architecture. Among the best examples are the churches of St. Etienne, founded by William the conqueror, and which contained his monument, erected by William Rufus, and destroyed by the Huguenots in 1562; La Trinite, called also Abbaye aux Dames, founded by Matilda, wife of the conqueror; St. Nicholas, now a cavalry fodder-store; St. Pierre and St. Jean. The castle, founded by the conqueror, and finished by Henry I. of England, was partially destroyed in 1733. There are several beautiful promenades in the city, which has manufactures of lace. blonde, crape, cutlery, cotton-yarn; brew cries, dye-works, wax-bleaching, and ship-building yards. Its Angora gloves, made from the unwashed, undyed fur of Angora rabbits, which are reared in the district, are celebrated. Quarries in the neighborhood produce an excellent stone, called Caen stone
(q.v.). Trade is facilitated by a maritime canal connecting the port with the sea, and also by the railway connecting it with the Paris and Rouen line; those to Cherbourg, Tours. and Honfleur, and that to Piers, opened in 1867, which affords C. communication with Granville. Nothing is known of C. before the 9th century. It was a place of impor tance in 912, when it came into the possession of the Normans, under whom it increased rulpidly. William the conqueror and his queen made it their residence, and greatly improved it. In 1346, it was taken and pillaged by the English, who again captured at in 1417. It was held by them until 14-30, when the Frenchcompelled them to surrender.
During the revolution of 1793, several of the Girondist chiefs, proscribed by the Jaco bins, went to C., and organized a revolt against the .Mountain, which proved. unsuccess ful. Pop. '76, 33,072.