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Origin and history

The castle of the Plesnoye, located in Englancourt in the department of Aisne (Hauts-de-France), is mentioned for the first time in 1223 as Planeia in a cartular of Foigny Abbey. His spelling evolved over the centuries (Planoie, La Plennoie, La Plesnoye on the map of Cassini around 1750). This fief, transformed into a mansion in the 17th century, suffered a devastating fire in 1650 during conflicts with the Spaniards. The current building, rebuilt after that date, preserves traces of its defensive past, like arches in the round turrets.

The present castle dates mainly from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The rectangular house body of 1665, on two floors, is flanked by two turrets with varnished brick motifs (hearts and cross of Saint Andrew). In the 18th century, two asymmetrical wings with a Mansard roof were added. The interior, redesigned at the beginning of the 20th century, contrasts with the south facade framed by the front body. This monument illustrates Thierache's rural nobiliary architecture, sharing features with local fortified churches, such as the use of overcooked bricks and defensive cornices.

Owned by Alphonse Hémart du Neufpré and Clotilde Fons de la Plesnoye at the hinge of the 19th and 20th centuries, the castle is partially inscribed in the Historical Monuments in 1985 for its facades and roofs. Its exterior decor, combining religious symbols and geometric motifs, bears witness to the influence of local workshops. Today, there remains a significant example of the region's brick heritage, although its current use (visits, rental) is not specified in the sources.

The place's toponymy reflects its history: Planeia (1223) evokes a flat terrain, while the later variants (Plennois, La Plesnoye) highlight its anchoring in the landscape of Thiérache. Cassini's map (circa 1750) sets its modern name. The castle, although partially protected, embodies the transition between the medieval defensive mansions and the noble residences of the Ancien Régime, adapted to the agricultural and social needs of the region.

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