Mons

Capital of Hainault, Belgium; center of a rich coal district; important for its manufactures; nufactures; taken by Louis of Na au May 1572: retaken by the Spaniards Sept. 1572; surrendered to the French 1691; restored 1697; reduced by Marl borough and Prince Eugene 1709; ceded to Austria 1714; taken by the French 1746 and 1792; lost 1815. Pop., 1891, 25,187.