Cambray
or CAMBRAI, a fortified city of France, in the department of Nord, capital of the arrondissement, on the Scheldt, 32 miles S. S. E. of Lille.
Its fortifications were improved by Vauban; the town is well built, and has a magnificent parade ground. Its principal public buildings are the Cathedral, the City Hall, and the Theater, and it has some good schools of art, and a public library. Cambray was formerly an archbishopric, and can boast of having had Fénelon, who died here in 1715, among its prelates. Cambray has long been famous for its manufacture of fine linens and lawns, whence all similar fabrics are called cambrics. It has also manufactures of thread, cottons, soap, leather, linens, etc. It is a very ancient city, having been an important place under the Romans. In 1508 the League of Cambray was concluded here. It was formed by Maximilian I. of Germany, Louis XII. of France, the King of Aragon, Ferdinand of Spain, and Pope Julius, against the Venetian Republic. In 1529 peace between Francis I. and Charles V. was also concluded here. During the WORLD WAR (q. v.) Cambray and the territory adjoining saw continuous and severe fighting. In November, 1917, American railway engineers assisted the British and Canadians in driving back a German surprise CAMBRIDGE attack against Allied positions near Cambray. Pop. about 25,000.