The History of Chateau Gaillard
Normandy in northern France was the site of a long-standing land dispute between the nations of England and France that resulted in the English monarch King Richard the Lionheart deciding to build a castle at Chateau Gaillard at the end of the 12th century.
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Location
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According to the local information group Les Andelys, France, the fortress of Chateau Gaillard was built to take advantage of a number of natural defenses, including the curving river Seine and a 100-meter high cliff. This left only the land leading up to the plateau in front of Chateau Gaillard to protect, which meant all defenses could be directed upon the plateau.
Construction
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King Richard began construction of Chateau Gaillard in 1197 and it was completed in 1198. Les Andelys explains the name "Gaillard" was given to the fortress because the French meaning of the word is "well-fortified."
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Reasons
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The English constructed Chateau Gaillard as a form of defense against the French King Philip, who wished to retake Normandy for France, using his lands just ten kilometers from Chateau Gaillard as a base. King Richard did not get the opportunity to defend his lands at Chateau Gaillard, as he was wounded by an arrow at the siege of Chalus in the spring of 1199 and died from gangrene.
Fall
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Les Andelys explains that King Philip lay siege to Chateau Gaillard and finally took the outer areas of the fortress in March of 1204, before taking the entire castle on the same day. The fall of Chateau Gaillard led to France retaking the land of Normandy.
Demolition
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The defenses of Chateau Gaillard were so strong that Les Andelys reports the fortress was repaired after it was taken from the English and used again in the 100 Years War fought between England and France. By 1573, it was described as a "ruined castle, fallen down and uninhabited." In the early 17th century, local religious orders were given permission to mine the castle for building material to repair their churches and convents. The keep was excluded from demolition.
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