MONCONTOUR HISTORY:
Le Grand Saule Chambre d'Hote Bed and Breakfast Accommodation in Vienne is at the edge of the village of Moncontour overlooking the river Dive and forest to the rear of the property and to the front : guarded by Moncontours grand XIth century donjon.
If you have ever visited the sleepy, historical village of Moncontour in the Vienne you would be forgiven for thinking that it has always been this tranquil. Encircled by forest and riverside walks; enclosed by fields of sunflowers and melons in the summer, it is easy to become carried away with the peacefulness of the surrounding nature. Moncontour History is long and tumultous. The village is overlooked by an XIth century donjon, owned in 1201 and again in 1206 by John Lackland, later king of England.
It provides a commanding view of the surrounding countryside
and in the past provided considereable defence.
Who would have thought this peaceful village had seen some of the worst battles in history.
It's possible that the battle between Muslim and Christian forces in 732, spilt over into this area, as it took place between Poitiers and Tours.
In 1372 the village was involved once again in battles –
this time between the English and French
during the Hundred Years War.
Duguesclin swore in 1372 that he would never sleep
"...until he had retaken Moncontour and hung the Englishman who had insulted him...", making the dungeon eternally famous.
Moncontour History is famous for a battle between Catholic and Huguenots on 3 October 1569.
The major characters involved were the
experienced Admiral de Coligny, leader of the Huguenots
and the young Duke of Anjou, Head of the Catholics,
commanding the royal troops.
The battle resulted in some 20,000 dead on the plain of Moncontour.
The injured Coligny departed for La Rochelle, theDuke de Anjou sent news to King Charles IX, his
brother and to their mother Catherine de Medici of their success.
It is rumoured that Sir Walter Raleigh planned an attack on the Donjon with General Coligny, whilst sitting at a fireplace of one of the village houses.
O
ne piece of machinery used during these wars was the catapult. Large balls of stone were used in the catapults to smash the castle walls. A number of houses in Moncontour still display in their grounds large stones which were used to attack the donjon. Meander around the rivers edge and you may spot a ball or two (this one can be found in the rear garden of Le Grand Saule Bed and Breakfast Accommodation in Vienne)
Anji Weston
For further information on Moncontour History and other surrounding stories click on the above and search 'news' in Moncontour
Keith and Anji Weston
Le Grand Saule Chambre d'Hote /
Bed and Breakfast Accommodation
Moncontour, Vienne
