Château d'Acquigny

This archeological site was isolated from the Madrie Plateau by a semicircular earthen rampart measuring approximately 100 meters. The embankment rose 20 meters in front of a 4-6 meters deep moat which was partly filled. These ruins were listed in 1945. The entire area, now completely overtaken by the forest, is owned privately This archeological site was isolated from the Madrie Plateau by a semicircular earthen rampart measuring approximately 100 meters. The embankment rose 20 meters in front of a 4-6 meters deep moat which was partly filled. These ruins were listed in 1945. The entire area, now completely overtaken by the forest, is owned privately Acquigny was a place of passage between the Neubourg Plateau and the Madrie Plateau. The Roman stone-paved ford across the Eure still exists today. Additionally, numerous Roman coins have been discovered at Acquigny. Acquigny was a place of passage between the Neubourg Plateau and the Madrie Plateau. The Roman stone-paved ford across the Eure still exists today. Additionally, numerous Roman coins have been discovered at Acquigny. In the middle of the 4th century, Saint Maxime (locally known as Mauxe), a bishop of Italian origin, escaped to Gaul after having been pursued in Italy for his faith. Pursued by Sabinus, a proconsul (Roman provincial governor), Mauxe was decapitated at the field now known as the “Clos Saint Mauxe”, on the bank of the Eure River at Acquigny. His deacon Vénérand was also executed, along with 38 Roman soldiers who had converted to Christianity. In the middle of the 4th century, Saint Maxime (locally known as Mauxe), a bishop of Italian origin, escaped to Gaul after having been pursued in Italy for his faith. Pursued by Sabinus, a proconsul (Roman provincial governor), Mauxe was decapitated at the field now known as the “Clos Saint Mauxe”, on the bank of the Eure River at Acquigny. His deacon Vénérand was also executed, along with 38 Roman soldiers who had converted to Christianity. Around 1040, William the Conqueror, who wanted to protect his duchy of the French, ordered the construction of several fortresses. The fortress of Acquigny belonged to the second line of Norman defense and was a control site for navigation on the Eure between the Seine and Chartres, a route that was quite active in those days. The long perspective, which allowed the surveillance of the grounds and the overseeing of the arrival of assailants, still exists today. One arm of the Iton (the “Iton perché”) was turned into a canal to flood the land surrounding the fortress in case of invasion, and to clear land for the creation of a watermill for the making of wheat. Around 1040, William the Conqueror, who wanted to protect his duchy of the French, ordered the construction of several fortresses. The fortress of Acquigny belonged to the second line of Norman defense and was a control site for navigation on the Eure between the Seine and Chartres, a route that was quite active in those days. The long perspective, which allowed the surveillance of the grounds and the overseeing of the arrival of assailants, still exists today. One arm of the Iton (the “Iton perché”) was turned into a canal to flood the land surrounding the fortress in case of invasion, and to clear land for the creation of a watermill for the making of wheat. The border between France and Normandy was highly contested during the Franco-Norman wars, shifting constantly. From 1162 to 1199, Acquigny lay sometimes on French soil and sometimes on Norman, until the time during which the Eure marked the border. Philippe Auguste reclaimed Acquigny in 1199. In 1204, after the conquest of the Château Gaillard, Normandy was reattached to France and the half of the domain of Acquigny that belonged to the Lord of Tosny (who had immigrated to England) was confiscated and became part of the royal territory. Today numerous descendants of this family live in England, Australia, and United States… Translation from Old French: “In