Renescure Castle

Renescure Castle, locally known as Château de Renescure or Château de Philippe de Commynes, lies in the village of Renescure (Ruisscheure in Dutch), in the Nord department in France.

Renescure Castle was built in 1435 by Colart II de la Clyte who would become grand bailiff of Flanders. He built the castle on the site of an earlier fortress, dating back to the 11th century, which was destroyed in 1427 after a siege.

His son Philippe de Commynes was born at Renescure Castle in 1447. Philippe would become a writer and diplomat in the courts of Burgundy and France, and is known as a famous chronicler of the French king Louis XI.

In the 16th century the castle and lands of Renescure passed to Saint-Omer-Morbecque until 1617 when the Montmorency family became owners. In 1720 it was sold to Jean Nicolas Taverne. In 1786 Jacques Taverne de Montdiver sold it to Edouard Le Febvre de Halle who would be the last Lord to occupy the castle.

In 1792 the castle was damaged as a result of the Revolution. In 1815 the castle was restored and made habitable again. At the end of WW II was damaged by fire.

At present all that remains is the keep with some adjoining wall parts. The grounds of the castle are now a public park. In this park, near the keep, is a circular moated island which, in my view, could be a motte and the site of the earlier fortress. The keep is now in use as a town hall.

If you are there don't forget to visit the other castle in this village; Zuthove Castle.

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