town, Nord département, Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, northern France, on the Escaut (Scheldt) River. The origin of the name is obscure. Some believe ... [2 related articles] Found on http://www.britannica.com/eb/a-z/v/3
Valenciennes is a variety of pillow lace. Originally it was made by hand at Valenciennes, it was later largely manufactured by machines at Nottingham. At its height in the 18th century, the craft employed about 4,000 workers in Valenciennes in 1750, but in 1851 only two lace-makers survived. The meshes, made of two threads partly twisted at the top... Found on http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/browse/PV.HTM