Josselin Castle facts for kids
Josselin Castle is a medieval castle located in Josselin, Brittany, France. It was first built in the year 1008. The town and castle get their name from Goscelinus, the son of the castle's first builder, Guéthénoc.
The castle has been rebuilt many times over the centuries. The castle you see today was mostly built by Olivier V de Clisson after 1370. He became the owner of the land when he married Margaret of Rohan. Since 1928, Josselin Castle has been recognized as a historic monument in France.
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History of Josselin Castle
Early Days and First Builders
Around the year 1008, a nobleman named Guéthénoc, who was a viscount (a type of lord) of Porhoët, started building the first castle. He chose a strong spot on a rocky hill overlooking the Oust River valley. This new fortress was named after his son, Goscelinus, which later became "Josselin."
This location was great for both defense and trade. Also, since the 800s, people had been making an annual pilgrimage (a special journey) to the nearby Basilica of Our Lady of the Bramble. This brought a lot of wealth to the lords and people of Josselin.
Destruction and Rebuilding
In 1154, a duke named Odo II tried to take away the land from the young Duke of Brittany, Conan IV. But Odo was defeated by Henry II of England. Henry II supported Conan.
Henry II and his son later tore down Josselin Castle in 1168 and again in 1175. Henry II even spread salt on the ruins, which was a way to show complete destruction.
The Battle of the Thirty
During a war in Brittany (1341–1364), the soldiers defending Josselin Castle often fought against those from the nearby Castle of Ploërmel. To end the fighting, a special event was arranged called the "Battle of the Thirty."
On March 26, 1351, thirty knights from each side fought halfway between the two castles. The knights from Josselin won against the Ploërmel champions, who included Bretons, Germans, and Englishmen.
Olivier V de Clisson's Castle
In 1370, a famous Breton soldier named Olivier V de Clisson became the lord of Josselin. He was later known as the Constable of France, a very important military leader. Olivier V de Clisson built a huge new fortress with eight towers and a large central keep.
He arranged for his daughter, Beatrice, to marry Alain VIII of Rohan, who was an heir to a powerful family nearby.
Changes by the Dukes of Brittany
In 1488, Francis II, Duke of Brittany, captured the castle and partly destroyed it. However, his daughter, Anne of Brittany, gave it back to Jean II of Rohan. Jean II was a great-grandson of Olivier V de Clisson.
Jean II transformed the castle, adding a beautiful new house with a granite front. This was an early example of Renaissance architecture in France, using ideas from Italian artists. To honor Anne of Brittany, who was both Duchess of Brittany and Queen of France, Rohan added her symbol – the letter 'A' under a sculpted cord – in several places on the castle's front.
Religious Conflicts and Destruction
Later, the Rohan family was banned from Josselin because they were Protestants (Huguenots). This meant they couldn't stop the Duke of Mercœur, who was the Governor of Brittany, from using their castle. He turned it into a base for the Catholic League during their fights against Henry IV of France.
In 1603, Henri, Duke of Rohan, a leader of the Huguenots, moved his military base to his castle in Pontivy. In 1629, Cardinal Richelieu, a powerful French leader, ordered parts of Josselin Castle to be torn down. He removed the keep and four of its towers. He famously told Duke Henry, "My lord, I have just thrown a good ball into your game of skittles!"
Restoration of the Castle
In the 1700s, the castle was no longer used as a main home for powerful lords. During the French Revolution and the time of the First French Empire, it was used as a prison and a storage building.
However, in 1822, Caroline, Duchess of Berry, convinced the Duke of Rohan at the time, Louis-François de Rohan-Chabot, to restore the castle.
Josselin Castle Today
Josselin Castle is still a home for the Rohan family. Today, it is the residence of Josselin de Rohan, the fourteenth Duke of Rohan. He was also the President of the Brittany region from 1998 to 2004.
Inside the castle, you can see a marble statue of the 13th Duke, Alain Louis Auguste de Rohan-Chabot, made in 1910 by the famous artist Auguste Rodin. There is also a statue of Olivier de Clisson on horseback.
The castle also has a toy and doll museum. It has a collection of over 5000 toys and dolls!
Images for kids
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The garden front
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Banner attributed to Knights loyal to Charles of Blois during the Battle of the Thirty
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Castle gate
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Banner of the arms of the House of Rohan-Chabot, flown from the ramparts of the castle
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Josselin para niños
- List of castles in France
