It is part of theMétropole Européenne de Lille. Erquinghem is one of a series of villages on the river Lys established by the VikingRikiwulf in 880 AD at the time of the invasion led byGodfrid, Duke of Frisia: Racquinghem, Reclinghem, Rekkem and Rijkegem (the latter two now in West Flanders – Belgium).