Château de Durfort
Encyclopedia
The Château de Durfort is a ruined castle
in the commune
of Vignevieille
in the Aude
département of France. It is 27 km east of Limoux
and 3 km north of the Château de Termes
.
It was erected on a rocky piton which overlooks the valley of the Orbieu
. The present ruins are those of a strengthened habitat, including a chapel, dwellings with rectangular windows and a tower. High thick walls, cellars and wells, arched rooms of square buildings, corner turrets, watch towers and a main tower are still visible.
Durfort is built on a rocky site overlooking the gorges of the Orbieu, offering a good view of the valley. The first medieval forts were initially places for surveillance and residences for small garrisons of the local lords, ensuring the control of agricultural valleys and trade routes which they dominated. Durfort is located on a peak, surrounded on three sides by a loop of the Orbieu river, providing a good defensive position.
The earliest written references mentioning the castle date from the 11th century. In 1093, it was mentioned in a transaction between the son of the lord of Durfort, Bertrand, and the Abbey of Lagrasse. In 1124, Guillaume and Raymond, lords of Durfort, paid homage to Viscount Bernard Aton of Carcassonne, and in 1163, the lord of Terme paid homage to Viscount Raymond de Trencavel, for the castle of Durfort.
are a recent description originating in the contemporary tourism trade. This entirely arbitrary term indicates the fortresses built in the 13th century by the King of France after the crusade against the Albigensians
. In the case of Durfort, the castral type of village habitat predates even the Cathar heresy. Nevertheless, the ruins which remain today are more recent.
The Cathar doctrines originated in Bulgaria at the end of the 10th century. Cathar communities spread across Europe around 1000. Catharism reached the south of France in the 12th century. Albi being one of its most durable centres of establishment, the term Albigensian indicates in this context the Cathar. In the middle of the 12th century (1167) there were five Cathar Churches: Albi, Toulouse, Carcassonne, Agen (Aragnensis) and Epernon in France. It was only in the 13th century, in 1226, that the bishopric of Razès, the area of Limoux, was created.
Vis-a-vis the extension of the dispute of the Catholic church and prevalence of the Pope
, the Roman Church answers by preaching and excommunication for heresy. The failure of this attempt leads the pope Innocent III to launch in 1209 against the “Albigensians”, the first crusade to be proceeded on the territory of Western Christendom.
Faced with a challenge to the Roman Catholic Church
and the supremacy of the Pope, the Roman church responded with preaching and excommunication
for heresy
. The failure of this attempt led pope Innocent III in 1209 to launch a crusade against the “Albigensians”, the first crusade on the territory of Western Christendom.
In 1209, the lord of Durfort sided with the Cathars through his alliance with Olivier de Termes
(see Château de Termes
). Simon de Montfort
took command of the Crusade against the Albigensians and campaigned in the area. In 1215, the château de Durfort became the property of Alain de Roucy, one of his lieutenants.
The population of the region, nevertheless, remained Cathar at heart, and as peace returned to the region, the Cathar movement reformed. In 1225, the neighbouring village of Pieusse hosted a Cathar council whose the goal was to reorganize the Cathar community of Razès. Benoît de Termes became its spiritual leader. In 1226, the “War of Limoux" started, during which Cathar and Louis VIII
's troops clashed.
The royal power confirmed its conquest of the region by building five large fortresses and a network of watch towers. The Château de Durfort was written into this defensive system, aimed at protecting the new frontiers of the Kingdom of France. 3 km away, closest fortress at Termes was remodelled in 1299 to become a royal castle with a garrison.
In 1241, Olivier de Termes submitted to Louis IX
, and thus recovered a portion of his lands and castles, including Durfort. He seems to have given them to the former lords of Durfort. In 1243, Hugues de Durfort swore allegiance to the king, and, the following year, took part with the Crusaders in the siege of Montségur
.
En 1256, Gaucelin de Durfort joined with other lords against the authority of the king of France and so lost rights to his land, recovering them some months later after paying monage to the king.
signed the Treaty of the Pyrenees
with the Kingdom of Spain, sealed by his marriage to the Infanta Maria Theresa
. This treaty altered the borders, giving Roussillon
to France. The frontier advanced to the crests of the Pyrenees
and the various fortresses of the region lost their strategic importance. The Château de Durfort was, therefore, altered to make it more comfortable.
In the 18th century, the castle seems to have been abandoned but its isolated position served to preserve its ruins. Today, the castle is private property; it may be visited free of charge with prior authorisation from the owners. The building is not preserved or maintained; there is a risk of falling stones.
External links Le château de Durfort Châteaux cathares History and traditions
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
in the commune
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
of Vignevieille
Vignevieille
Vignevieille is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Its inhabitants are called Vignevieillais.-Geography:The commune is located in the Corbières....
in the Aude
Aude
Aude is a department in south-central France named after the river Aude. The local council also calls the department "Cathar Country".Aude is also a frequent feminine French given name in Francophone countries, deriving initially from Aude or Oda, a wife of Bertrand, Duke of Aquitaine, and mother...
département of France. It is 27 km east of Limoux
Limoux
Limoux is a commune and subprefecture in the Aude department, a part of the ancient Languedoc province and the present-day Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France...
and 3 km north of the Château de Termes
Château de Termes
The Château de Termes is a ruined castle near the village of Termes in the Aude département of France. It is one of the so-called Cathar castles.-History:...
.
It was erected on a rocky piton which overlooks the valley of the Orbieu
Orbieu
The Orbieu is a long river in the Aude département, in south central France. Its source is at Fourtou, in the Corbières. It flows generally northeast...
. The present ruins are those of a strengthened habitat, including a chapel, dwellings with rectangular windows and a tower. High thick walls, cellars and wells, arched rooms of square buildings, corner turrets, watch towers and a main tower are still visible.
Foundation
There is no documentary evidence for the initial construction of this fortress. Around 1000 in France, fortified houses evolved from simple towers encircled by wooden palisades (castral mounds), into the more resistant masonry structures (castles).Durfort is built on a rocky site overlooking the gorges of the Orbieu, offering a good view of the valley. The first medieval forts were initially places for surveillance and residences for small garrisons of the local lords, ensuring the control of agricultural valleys and trade routes which they dominated. Durfort is located on a peak, surrounded on three sides by a loop of the Orbieu river, providing a good defensive position.
The earliest written references mentioning the castle date from the 11th century. In 1093, it was mentioned in a transaction between the son of the lord of Durfort, Bertrand, and the Abbey of Lagrasse. In 1124, Guillaume and Raymond, lords of Durfort, paid homage to Viscount Bernard Aton of Carcassonne, and in 1163, the lord of Terme paid homage to Viscount Raymond de Trencavel, for the castle of Durfort.
Fortified residence in the Cathar country
The Cathar castlesCathar castles
Cathar castles is a modern term used by the tourism industry to designate a series of fortresses built by the French king on the southern border of his lands at the end of the Albigensian Crusade...
are a recent description originating in the contemporary tourism trade. This entirely arbitrary term indicates the fortresses built in the 13th century by the King of France after the crusade against the Albigensians
Albigensian Crusade
The Albigensian Crusade or Cathar Crusade was a 20-year military campaign initiated by the Catholic Church to eliminate Catharism in Languedoc...
. In the case of Durfort, the castral type of village habitat predates even the Cathar heresy. Nevertheless, the ruins which remain today are more recent.
The Cathar doctrines originated in Bulgaria at the end of the 10th century. Cathar communities spread across Europe around 1000. Catharism reached the south of France in the 12th century. Albi being one of its most durable centres of establishment, the term Albigensian indicates in this context the Cathar. In the middle of the 12th century (1167) there were five Cathar Churches: Albi, Toulouse, Carcassonne, Agen (Aragnensis) and Epernon in France. It was only in the 13th century, in 1226, that the bishopric of Razès, the area of Limoux, was created.
Vis-a-vis the extension of the dispute of the Catholic church and prevalence of the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
, the Roman Church answers by preaching and excommunication for heresy. The failure of this attempt leads the pope Innocent III to launch in 1209 against the “Albigensians”, the first crusade to be proceeded on the territory of Western Christendom.
Faced with a challenge to the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
and the supremacy of the Pope, the Roman church responded with preaching and excommunication
Excommunication
Excommunication is a religious censure used to deprive, suspend or limit membership in a religious community. The word means putting [someone] out of communion. In some religions, excommunication includes spiritual condemnation of the member or group...
for heresy
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
. The failure of this attempt led pope Innocent III in 1209 to launch a crusade against the “Albigensians”, the first crusade on the territory of Western Christendom.
In 1209, the lord of Durfort sided with the Cathars through his alliance with Olivier de Termes
Oliver de Termes
Oliver de Termes was a knight from the southern French region of Termes, Aude. He was raised as a Cathar but eventually converted to Catholicism in a move that would help restore peace to his homeland following the ravages of the Albigensian Crusades.-Early life:Oliver was the son of Raymond de...
(see Château de Termes
Château de Termes
The Château de Termes is a ruined castle near the village of Termes in the Aude département of France. It is one of the so-called Cathar castles.-History:...
). Simon de Montfort
Simon de Montfort, 5th Earl of Leicester
Simon IV de Montfort, Seigneur de Montfort-l'Amaury, 5th Earl of Leicester , also known as Simon de Montfort the elder, was a French nobleman who took part in the Fourth Crusade and was a prominent leader of the Albigensian Crusade...
took command of the Crusade against the Albigensians and campaigned in the area. In 1215, the château de Durfort became the property of Alain de Roucy, one of his lieutenants.
The population of the region, nevertheless, remained Cathar at heart, and as peace returned to the region, the Cathar movement reformed. In 1225, the neighbouring village of Pieusse hosted a Cathar council whose the goal was to reorganize the Cathar community of Razès. Benoît de Termes became its spiritual leader. In 1226, the “War of Limoux" started, during which Cathar and Louis VIII
Louis VIII of France
Louis VIII the Lion reigned as King of France from 1223 to 1226. He was a member of the House of Capet. Louis VIII was born in Paris, France, the son of Philip II Augustus and Isabelle of Hainaut. He was also Count of Artois, inheriting the county from his mother, from 1190–1226...
's troops clashed.
The royal power confirmed its conquest of the region by building five large fortresses and a network of watch towers. The Château de Durfort was written into this defensive system, aimed at protecting the new frontiers of the Kingdom of France. 3 km away, closest fortress at Termes was remodelled in 1299 to become a royal castle with a garrison.
In 1241, Olivier de Termes submitted to Louis IX
Louis IX of France
Louis IX , commonly Saint Louis, was King of France from 1226 until his death. He was also styled Louis II, Count of Artois from 1226 to 1237. Born at Poissy, near Paris, he was an eighth-generation descendant of Hugh Capet, and thus a member of the House of Capet, and the son of Louis VIII and...
, and thus recovered a portion of his lands and castles, including Durfort. He seems to have given them to the former lords of Durfort. In 1243, Hugues de Durfort swore allegiance to the king, and, the following year, took part with the Crusaders in the siege of Montségur
Montségur
The Château de Montségur is a former fortress near Montségur, a commune in the Ariège department in southwestern France. Its ruins are the site of a razed stronghold of the Cathars. The present fortress on the site, though described as one of the "Cathar castles," is actually of a later period...
.
En 1256, Gaucelin de Durfort joined with other lords against the authority of the king of France and so lost rights to his land, recovering them some months later after paying monage to the king.
17th century to today
In 1659, Louis XIVLouis XIV of France
Louis XIV , known as Louis the Great or the Sun King , was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and Navarre. His reign, from 1643 to his death in 1715, began at the age of four and lasted seventy-two years, three months, and eighteen days...
signed the Treaty of the Pyrenees
Treaty of the Pyrenees
The Treaty of the Pyrenees was signed to end the 1635 to 1659 war between France and Spain, a war that was initially a part of the wider Thirty Years' War. It was signed on Pheasant Island, a river island on the border between the two countries...
with the Kingdom of Spain, sealed by his marriage to the Infanta Maria Theresa
Maria Theresa of Spain
Maria Theresa of Austria was the daughter of Philip IV, King of Spain and Elizabeth of France. Maria Theresa was Queen of France as wife of King Louis XIV and mother of the Grand Dauphin, an ancestor of the last four Bourbon kings of France.-Early life:Born as Infanta María Teresa of Spain at the...
. This treaty altered the borders, giving Roussillon
Roussillon
Roussillon is one of the historical counties of the former Principality of Catalonia, corresponding roughly to the present-day southern French département of Pyrénées-Orientales...
to France. The frontier advanced to the crests of the Pyrenees
Pyrenees
The Pyrenees is a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain...
and the various fortresses of the region lost their strategic importance. The Château de Durfort was, therefore, altered to make it more comfortable.
In the 18th century, the castle seems to have been abandoned but its isolated position served to preserve its ruins. Today, the castle is private property; it may be visited free of charge with prior authorisation from the owners. The building is not preserved or maintained; there is a risk of falling stones.
See also
- List of castles in France
- Cathar castlesCathar castlesCathar castles is a modern term used by the tourism industry to designate a series of fortresses built by the French king on the southern border of his lands at the end of the Albigensian Crusade...
- Catharism
- Albigensian CrusadeAlbigensian CrusadeThe Albigensian Crusade or Cathar Crusade was a 20-year military campaign initiated by the Catholic Church to eliminate Catharism in Languedoc...
External links Le château de Durfort Châteaux cathares History and traditions