 In the Middle Ages, "Aigrefeuille d'Aunis" was at the centre of a large clearing in the forest.The ancient "Forest of Argenson", which separated the old provinces of "Aunis" and "Poitou", was gradually reduced and extensive clearings were carried out mainly for vineyards which, at "Aigrefeuille", were at the southern limit of the plain of "Aunis".At the turn of the 13th century, "Aigrefeuille" became a lordship that had already acquired a certain importance in "Aunis", and the lord, Guillaume Maingot, was sire of "Surgères".