Longueville Castle, locally known as Château de
Longueville or Château Gauthier Giffard, lies in the village of
Longueville-sur-Scie, in the Seine-Maritime department in France.
The first fortification at this site was a Roman castrum. The first,
Carolingian, wooden castle dates back to the 9th century. Towards the
end of the 11th century the stone Longueville Castle was built by Walter
Giffard (Gauthier II Giffard in French), 1st Earl of Buckingham, to
replace the wooden predecessor. This coincided with the creation of the
County of Longueville of which the castle became the seat.
Later the County of Longueville was owned by several nobles. In the 14th
century it belonged to the Counts of Evreux, a title which was also held
by several Spanish Kings in that time. This led to the castle being
besieged in 1356. By 1364 Longueville Castle was French property again
and offered, by Charles V of France, to Bertrand du Guesclin, a Breton
knight who would later become Constable of France.
In the 15th century Longueville Castle changed hands between the English
and French several times, with both parties carrying out works on the
castle. The title of Comte de Longueville was awarded to Archibald
Douglas, Earl of Wigtown (d.1438), and his son William Douglas, 6th Earl
of Douglas (d.1440) in gratitude for the assistance to the future
Charles VII of France by the Scottish army rescue led by Archibald
Douglas, 4th Earl of Douglas, killed at the Battle of Verneuil in 1424.
Upon the death of James Douglas, 9th Earl of Douglas and 3rd Earl of
Avondale in 1488, all his titles were forfeited and subsequently the
title was bestowed upon Jean de Dunois. The title remained in the hands
of the Orléans-Longueville family until the death of Jean Louis Charles
d'Orléans in 1694.
In 1505 the County of Longueville was elevated to a duchy. In 1589 the
castle was visited by Henry IV of France. During the 17th century the
last Duke of Longueville died and the duchy was discontinued. The castle
became managed by a bailiff. After that the castle was dismantled and
turned into a stone quarry. Following that the castle fell to ruin.
The ruin of Longueville Castle is open to the public, at no charge. A
nice ruin, although not very spectacular.
See also:
• Count of Longueville
• The Douglas family in France
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