Mounds, castles, palaces: places of life, places of power

Conference on the motte and bailey castles of Orne

Carrouges Castle is hosting a conference dedicated to the motte and bailey castles of Orne, led by historian Xavier de Roquemaurel, a specialist in the medieval period.

Carrouges, whose name means "crossroads," bears witness to an exceptional strategic geographical situation. The site is located at the intersection of major routes dating back to Roman times, including those connecting Jublains to Lisieux and Avranches to Sées. The location of the original castle of this 12th-century stronghold remains uncertain: it is likely that the first defensive site was situated on high ground at the top of the hill, at the current location of the village of Carrouges. It is believed to have been built a few decades after the year 1000 by the Duke of Normandy Robert I, father of William the Conqueror.

The conference highlights the numerous remnants of motte and bailey castles preserved in Orne, witnesses to the defensive organization of the ducal era. Among the examples mentioned are the motte of Butte Saint-Pierre in Sées and the "Château" motte in Rémalard, characterized by its raised circular enclosure on which a shell keep rises. The history of Carrouges is also marked by the significant tensions of the time: in 1077, the site was besieged by William the Conqueror when his rebellious son, Robert Curthose, took refuge there.

This conference is part of an initiative to promote Norman medieval heritage and the fortified landscapes associated with the ducal period.

Organized by the association Vieilles Maisons Françaises (VMF)

Practical information:
Registration required, limited number of places
Free