Mase
Origin of the name Mase
The village is mentioned around 1100 as « villa Magis ». The name « Mage » was used until 1902. The patois form « Mase » is attested from 1898. What the name means is not yet known.[1]
Founding of Mase
Mase is a village on the right bank of the Borgne, in the Val d'Hérens, at about 1'345 m above sea level, whose timber-built centre is protected. The lordship, attested from the 12th century, belonged to the nobles of Conthey, Gryon, Bex and La Tour-Châtillon. They sold two thirds of their vidame rights to the chapter of Sion in 1290 and 1353, and the last third passed to the bishop in 1376. Until 1798 the community was therefore run by two métrals and a canon-vidame. Mase belonged to the dizain of Sion and, for the militia, to the IV Villes sub-banner within the great banner of Sion, from the 15th century to 1798. Assigned to the dizain of Hérémence in 1798, then to the district of Hérens in 1815, the community long lived almost self-sufficiently from livestock and timber, before opening up through roads, the postbus and hydropower royalties from the dams. Mase is now in the municipality of Mont-Noble (merger of 1 January 2011).[1]
History of Mase
around 1100. Mentioned as « villa Magis ».[1]
12th century. The lordship of Mase is attested. The parish and the church are mentioned.[1]
1290. The lords sell a first share of their vidame rights to the chapter of Sion.[1]
1353. A further sale to the chapter of Sion, which now holds two thirds of the vidame rights.[1]
1376. The last third of the vidame rights passes to the bishop of Sion.[1]
15th century. Mase is attached to the IV Villes sub-banner, within the great banner of Sion (until 1798).[1]
1483. Date of the church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine.[1]
1560-1564. The inhabitants buy back the tithes owed to the chapter of Sion.[1]
1588. Buy-back of the tithes owed to the bishopric.[1]
1705. Alteration of the church.[1]
1798. End of administration by two métrals and a canon-vidame. Mase passes to the dizain of Hérémence.[1]
1815. Mase becomes part of the district of Hérens.[1]
1898. The patois form « Mase » is attested.[1]
1902. The name « Mage » goes out of use.[1]
1935. Postbus service begins.[1]
1957-1960. Merger of the alpine pasture communities.[1]
1986-1987. Renovation of the bell tower, a listed historic monument.[1]
2002. Opening of the bisse trail, the start of agritourism.[1]
2008. On 7 September the citizens of Mase, Nax and Vernamiège approve the merger of their municipalities (date uncertain).
2011. On 1 January Mase merges with Nax and Vernamiège to form the municipality of Mont-Noble.[2]
Population of Mase
Sources and references: [1]
| 1850 | 300 |
| 1900 | 359 |
| 1950 | 347 |
| 2000 | 207 |
Historic sites in Mase
Village centre. The timber-built centre of Mase is protected.[1]
Church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine. Attested in the 12th century, the present church dates from 1483. It was altered in 1705, 1912 and 1988. Its bell tower, renovated in 1986-1987, is a listed historic monument.[1]
Bisse trail. Opened in 2002, it marks the start of agritourism in Mase.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Mase » (Patrick Maye, version du 23.12.2016)
- Etat du Valais, Département des finances, des institutions et de la santé, Service des affaires intérieures et communales, « Rapport sur les finances communales 2008 » (février 2010) (fusions de communes et dates d'entrée en vigueur)
- geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (coordonnées)
Other villages near Mase
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