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Origin and history

The castle of Ivry-la-Battle, built at the end of the 10th century by order of Richard I of Normandy, was entrusted to his brother Raoul d'Ivry. The latter erected a castral stone structure towards the year one thousand, replacing a Carolingian aula. According to Orderic Vital, the construction was supervised by architect Lanfroy (or Lanfred), at the request of Aubrée, wife of Raoul. This dungeon, among the first Norman stone fortifications, served as a model for later buildings such as the Tower of London.

In the 11th century, the castle became a strategic issue between the Dukes of Normandy and the crown of France. Hugues d'Ivry, son of Raoul and bishop of Bayeux, seized in 1029 before being driven by Robert the Magnificent. In 1040 Alberède, daughter of Hugues, began work. The site was then controlled by William the Conqueror, then integrated into the royal domain in 1195 after its capture by Philippe Auguste, who partially modified it. During the Hundred Years War, the castle changed hands several times before being destroyed in 1424 by the English to avoid its resumption.

The remains, which were forgotten, were rediscovered in 1968 by the local archaeological club led by Robert Baudet. Twenty years of excavations allowed the substructures to be cleared, revealing a rectangular plan with a chapel and barred spur defences. Ranked a historic monument in 1990, the site now offers a rare testimony of Norman castral architecture of the year thousand. Recent excavations (2007–2010) have refined the understanding of its evolution, including its links to the English fortifications.

The castle occupied a promontory overlooking the Eure Valley, 70 metres above the town, controlling a strategic bridge between Normandy and Île-de-France. Its partly preserved square dungeon illustrates the transition between Carolingian aulae and medieval dungeons. The fortress, with ditches cut from the rock and a flanked enclosure, was gradually abandoned after its destruction, its stones serving as a quarry. Today the communal property, the site is freely accessible.

Highlights include his fire by Louis VI in 1119, his recovery by Henry II Plantagenet in 1177, and his final destruction in 1424. Medieval sources, such as Orderic Vital or Guillaume de Jumièges, mention local semi-legendary figures (Aubrée, Lanfred) or historical figures (Raoul d'Ivry, Hugues d'Ivry). Modern analyses, conducted by castellologists such as Jean Mesqui, highlight its role as a prototype for Norman and English castles.

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