Castle of Gourville

See also: Gourville

The Château of Gourville to Gourville in Charente was the seat of an important seigniory located in the province of the Poitou, with right of high, average and low justice.

History

  • It would have been built on an old citadel Goth and many vestiges of this time were discovered on the level of the foundations of the deusième basement.
  • Hélie de Gourville has this chatellenie very old at the beginning of the 12th century.
  • Arnaud, Hélie and Guillaume de Gourville is mentioned at the 13th century; the seigniory remains in this house until in 1351, date on which Guillaume dies without posterity.
  • the seigniory passes then between the hands of his/her sister Isabeau de Gourville, married in second weddings with Jean II Chasteigner, lord of Mailleraye (close to Parthenay), deceased in 1378. This famous family does not keep the châtellenie a long time, since in 1441, Jeanne Paulte is known as lady of Gourville and wife this year Philippe Taveau, baron de Mortemer, mayor of Poitiers to seven recoveries.
  • Roffignac succeed to them the 14th century then Montmorency at the 16th century. The king Charles IX founds the market of Monday and six annual fairs.
  • In August 1609 Henri IV sets up the châtellenie of Gourville in baronnie.
  • In 1642, Anne of Bourbon Cop marries the duke of Longueville and receives in dowry the castle and the ground of Gourville.
  • the October 25th 1660, Jean Héraut becomes about it owner for the sum of 100.000 books. This Jean Herault, more known under the name of Gourville was manservant of Louis of Rochefoucauld, then main of hotel of François of Rochefoucauld, author of the famous Maxims. He could attract himself the good graces of the superintendent Fouquet, who makes him obtain the general receipt of the sizes of Guyenne, source of his considerable fortune.
  • With its death without posterity, the baronnie passes to the hands of Philippe d' Hauteclaire, whose family the ground of Gourville until in 1780 will preserve, date on which it is sold judicially to Jean Valeteau de Chabrefy, receiver of the sizes of the election of Angouleme, for the sum of 250,000 pounds.
  • Beginning 19th century, its heirs sell the castle in Rouchier Préneuf, originating in Tusson, captain of the Imperial Army.
  • During the last two centuries, the castle often changes hands and then undergoes many vicissitudes until in 1974, where the owner of then undertakes very important work of rehabilitation.

Structure

It is an imposing fortress and of which all architecture is function of defensive properties.
  • It is surrounded by dry Douves and the entry is done by a Pont-levis.
  • the large square Donjon preserved a gallery of machicolation under its pyramidal slate roof.
  • the turns of defenses and the turret in half-moon are the oldest parts (13th century?).
  • the body of dwelling is end of the 15th century

references

  • Castles manors home, Charente , editions inheritances and media 1993, ISBN 2.910137.05.8
  • Castles, Home and old Residences of Charente , collective work coordinated by Strong Jean-Paul, editions Bruno Sépulchre, 2005.

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