Ivry-la-Bataille Castle

Ivry-la-Bataille Castle, locally known as Château d'Ivry-la-Bataille, lies in the small town of the same name in the Eure department in France.

The location of the former castle of Ivry-la-Bataille was a strategic one; a promontory at the edge of the steeply advancing plateau which dominates the Eure valley and the town below with its bridge over the river. Situated at the border of the Duchy of Normandy, the site was entrusted to Rodulf of Ivry by his half-brother Richard I of Normandy, Count of Rouen, at the end of the 10th century.

Rodulf, who became Count of Ivry, then had the castle built on the site of an earlier Carolingina aula. It is however said that the order came from his wife; Albreda or Aubrée, who, after completion of the castle, had the architect beheaded to prevent him from building such strong fortifications for others.

The castle was garrisoned with French soldiers by Rodulf's son; Hugh, Bishop of Bayeux, when the latter revolted against the Duke of Normandy; Robert I, in 1029. Robert, however, quickly regained control over Ivry Castle. Around 1040, Hugh's daughter, repaired the castle. From 1050 on it would become controlled directly by the Dukes of Normandy, after William the Conqueror took hold of it.

Louis VI of France had Ivry Castle burned down in 1119. It was handed over to Henry II of England in 1177, only to be conquered by Philip II of France in 1194, after which it was attached to the royal domain.

In 1419, during the Hundred Years' War, the castle was taken by the English after a 40-day siege. It was taken back by the French in 1423, only to be retaken by the English a year later. The English, unable to maintain a garrison in the castle, then had the castle slighted to prevent it from falling into French hands again. It was never rebuilt.

During its lifetime, the castle was known as Ivry Castle. Together with the town it only got the suffix 'la-Bataille' (of-the-battle) after the French were victorious at the Battle of Ivry, which was fought near the town in 1590.

During the following centuries, the castle ruin became a stone quarry for the locals and slowly disappeared under the soil and undergrowth. By 1960 only a couple of wall fragments marked the location of the castle on the wooded hill. From 1968 on, a local archaeological club uncovered the castle's remains.

The ruin of Ivry-la-Bataille Castle can freely be visited. An interesting castle remnant, even though it does not show many architectural details. I especially like the herringbone structure of some walls.

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