Saponay Castle

Saponay Castle, locally known as Château de Saponay, lies in the village with the same name, in the Aisne department in France.

Saponay Castle was built in the late 12th century or early 13th century. The history of the lordship of Saponay is closely linked to that of nearby Cramaille as already in 1159 it was dependent on Guillaume de Cramaille.

In 1359, during the Franco-British wars, the English captured Saponay and its castle on one of their raids in the area, which then belonged to Pierre Bureau, Lord of Cramaille. They looted the castle.

In the mid 15th century Saponay Castle passed into the hands of Anthoine de Conflans. After his death the lordship of Saponay went to the family of Viels Maisons. This was a Protestant family who never lived at Saponay Castle as they resided in Normandy. The castle was then inhabited by their servants.

Later Saponay Castle went to M. Desmarets de Vaubourg, lord of Cramaille and Saponay, King's Counselor in 1683. In 1765 it was owned by Henriette Madeleine Desmarets de Vaubourg and in 1795 by the Norman; De Maisy, Counsellor of State.

During World War I the fighting here was fierce, so the castle was most probably also damaged during that time.

What remains of the medieval castle at present is the base of a round tower and a building with machicoulis on high arches. These buildings and the former site of Saponay Castle are now part of a farm. They can not be visited.

Not very spectacular but the curious arched machicolation is not often seen.

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