The town of Domfront also known as Domfront-en-Poiraie¹ has a fascinating place in the history of both France and Britain.

As you approach Domfront its most noticeable features are the castle and the church of Saint Julien. Built on the hill the old town was huddled around the the church and is adjacent to the castle. The old town was originally surrounded by the town walls most of which can still be traced today.

Located in an area of Lower Normandy surrounded by unspoilt rolling countryside of hills rivers and lakes, the town rises out of the landscape, and is reminiscent of a landlocked St Michaels Mount. Domfront is surrounded by delightful towns and villages. Located 85 km south of Caen and 250 km west of Paris, at map reference *

The Early History

The castle was originally built to provide a base for the Lord appointed to defend the town and the ancient border between Maine and the Duchy of Normandy. It was also the main market town in the area, the place de la Roire was the market between 1154 and 1485. As the town developed on the southern slopes and flatter land to eastern sides of the town much of the character of the old town has been preserved.

The First castle on the site was built in approximately 1010. There is no trace of the original as it was built of wood, and the later building work removed all trace. There is no proof but it is interesting to speculate, could this wooden castle have been an inspiration for the prefabricated wooden motte and bailey castles transported to England by William of Normandy during the 1066 invasion of England.

Today the town's most prominent feature is the castle, building started around 1049 by Guillaume II Talvas, lord of Bellême and completed in 1100 by Henry Beauclerc the first lord of Domfront, Maine and the Duchy of Normandy.
Although the castle is now an impressive ruin once the keep was over 25 meters high and enclosed by strong walls with defencive towers. Within the walls were stables kitchen gardens and orchard. Also livestock such as pigs and chickens were kept by the townsfolk within the outer ward.* to supply the kitchens. There was also a banqueting hall and a chapel within the castle for the lord's personal use.

Some of the most notable Lords of Domfront are listed below, as can be seen these particular lords once had a strong connections with the history of Britain.

In the late 1050's Guillaume II Talvas, who was besieged in Domfront castle in by William of Normandy ("William the Conqueror", who was at the time the Duke of Normandy).

In 1092, Robert de Bellême, Earl of Shrewsbury, was recorded as the custodian of the castle.
Robert II who was replaced by the 4th son of William the Conqueror, Henry/Henri Beauclerc (1068– 1135). Henry eventually became duke of Normandy in 1106 and Henry I King of England*. He is remembered as the first Norman king to speak fluent english. Henry died on December on 1st, 1135 in Saint-Denis-le-Ferment, Higher Normandy, France. Other notable royal visitors included Richard the Lionheart and his mother Eleanor of Aquitaine, both of whom enjoyed Domfront.

In 1169, it was the Castle of Domfront that Henry II of England chose met the envoys of , Pope Adrian_IV, in an attempt to resolve Henry's problems with Thomas Becket.

The last recorded ownership by an English king was in 1204. The records also show that Domfront was a personal possession of King John of England, (also known as John Lackland).

In 1259, Louis IX of France gave Domfront to Robert II, Count of Artois, as dowry for his wife Amicie de Courtenay.

During the year 1342 Philip VI of France ceded Domfront and surrounding country to the Count of Alençon who, in 1367, reunited the towns of Domfront and Alençon.

In the meantime, in 1356, troops of Charles II of Navarre (Charles the Bad), king of Navarre, commanded by Sir Robert Knolles, took the Domfront and held it until 1366.

During the winter of 1417-1418, the castle was besieged by the English commanded by the Duke of Clarence and fell on the 10 July 1418. The French recaptured it for a short time in 1430. It was finally taken by the French on 2 August 1450.

The Castles Decline

The castle had been last modified by Henry Beauclerc (King Henry I of England) in the 12th century but by 1608 it was regarded as obsolete. Maximilien de Béthune, duc* de Sully ordered the demolition of the castle in 1608 and was reduced its present condition as a result of what is called slighting*. This was probably due to the advance of cannon and castles were rapidly becoming obsolete. It is however today it is still an impressive monument. And one of the best examples of a slighted castle in Europe.

There is an unusual feature in the castle that survived, an early example of a passage within the curtain wall with defencive arrow loops. This provided exceptional protection for the archers and men at arms, especially if the enemy gained entry to the courtyard they would come under fire from the keep and the castle walls.

Domfront Today

The Château of Domfront is a prominent feature of the town and include the impressive ruins of the keep, and the curtain walls. The circuit of these walls that originally surrounded the old town. Many sections of the original town walls and several of the defencive towers are still standing. This enables the visitor to trace the circuit of the original defensive walls and ramparts. There several towers of the circuit wall are still in good condition enabling you to feel the of the old town defences*. An unexpected extra is a well preserved street system of the original medieval town with buildings from all eras. Although cars can drive through the town, the narrow streets and the one way system make it very suitable for pedestrians. The town square was once full of medieval houses, lost to the bombardment by US forces in WWII, when it was on the line of advance of the U.S. Ninth Army's 30th Infantry Division's advance, however the visitor today will hardly notice their loss.

As the town is perched on the top of the highest point in the area there area the views from the town walls over the surrounding countryside are exceptional. Apart from the views the buildings in the old town provide plenty to interest for the photographer.

There is a very helpful tourist office is situated at the Château entrance, and car parking can be found nearby. The access to the castle is easy and the site is surrounded by a well kept park with with lawns and very nice gardens,
and all areas are wheelchair and pushchair accessible. A WC can be found near the custodians lodge.

An Unusual British Connection, Claude Du Vall.

Claude Du Vall was by birth a French nobleman, born in Domfront in 1643. A gentleman turned highwayman, who famously only took only a part of his victim's valuables. Well known his graceful manner and his skill as a flageolet* player. Remembered as the subject of a painting by William Powell Frith. His luck abandoned him and his last engagement was on January 21, 1670 at Tyburn gallows London, his last resting place is St Paul's, Covent Garden.

The Area Around Domfront

For visitors staying in the area other local monuments within Domfront and near the castle include -

Church Saint-Julien Domfront "a short walk by car*.

Church Notre-Dame-sur-l'Eau Domfront En Poiraie* is within walking distance but there is an exceptionally steep hill, so go by car. One of the most notable visitors to Church Saint-Julien was Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket* who presided over a Christmas service for the nobility. The congregation including Henri II Plantagenet and his Queen and assembled nobles of his court. The church was damaged during the hundred years war and other religious wars the Church also sustained further damage during the French Revolution, when it was used as a warehouse by the revolutionary government. Many years ago part of the church had to be been demolished to widen the road. Despite all this it is still well worth a visit.

Other Historical Sites of interest within 15km of Domfront

The Manor of La Bérardière Saint-Bômer-les-Forges (6.4 km) - A fine stone manor house with many fine architectural features from the reigns of Louis XIII, XV and XVI.

Lonlay AbbeyLonlay Abbey Lonlay-l'Abbaye (7.1 km) - The Abbey has fine Norman Romanesque sculpture dating from around 1090.

Jublains Roman TownJublains Roman Town (39.0 km) - A well preserved Roman town with a fort temple and an excellent museum.

Lassay les château (23.9 km) - An excellent castle and historic town with a fascinating past.

Recommendations

Take your camera and binoculars if you have them, as there are excellent views.