Grosnez Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grosnez Castle |
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| Saint Ouen, Jersey | |
Grosnez Castle
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| Coordinates | 49°11′58″N 2°01′10″W / 49.19944°N 2.01944°W |
| Site information | |
| Owner | States of Jersey |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Condition | Ruin |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1330 |
| Materials | Granite |
Grosnez Castle is a ruined castle from the 1300s. It stands in the north-west part of Jersey, one of the Channel Islands. This castle was once used to protect the islanders from French attacks.
Philippe de Carteret bravely defended it against the French. This was when the French held half of Jersey between 1461 and 1467. The castle has been a ruin since the mid-1500s. Today, you can visit the ruins and enjoy amazing views from the clifftop. There are also steps leading to a small signal station.
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What's in a Name?
The name "Grosnez" comes from old Norse words. They mean "grey headland." This describes the area perfectly when you see it from the sea. Over time, the spelling changed. It now sounds like the French words for "big nose." A nearby headland is called Rouge Nez, meaning "red nose."
Castle History
Why Was Grosnez Castle Built?
Sir John des Roches ordered the castle built around 1330. This was near the start of the Hundred Years' War. The war was a long conflict between England and France. The castle's main goal was to give local farmers a safe place. They could hide there from French attacks.
Castle Design and Protection
The castle walls are made of local granite. They are thickest on the side facing the land. The castle sits on a clifftop, about 200 feet (60 meters) above the sea. This means the cliffs naturally protect it on three sides. A deep ditch dug into the rock protects the fourth side. Today, you can still see parts of the ruined walls.
A drawbridge and a portcullis protected the main gate. A portcullis is a heavy metal or wood gate that slides down. These defenses made the gatehouse very hard to capture. The gatehouse is the only large part of the castle still standing. There are also traces of six simple buildings inside.
Castle Weaknesses
Even with its strong defenses, the castle had some weak points:
- There were no sally ports. These are secret exits for soldiers to launch surprise attacks.
- Most importantly, there was no water well inside the walls. This meant people inside would run out of water during a long attack.
Later Years of the Castle
The French managed to capture the castle in 1373 and 1381. The castle was probably last used for fighting during the French occupation of Jersey. This was from 1461 to 1468. During this time, the French held the east of the island. However, loyal Jersey people held the western parishes.
In 1483, the Seigneur of St Ouen was allowed to fortify his manor house. A "Seigneur" was like a lord of the land. He was allowed to take stones from Grosnez Castle. These stones were then used to build up St. Ouen's Manor. This saved money for the Seigneur.
In 1806, a naval signal station was set up at Grosnez. This station sent messages to Guernsey, another Channel Island.
Modern Day Castle
Grosnez Castle appears on the back of the Jersey 50 pence coin. This shows how important it is to the island's history.
Images for kids
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Another view of the castle from the outside.
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