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Origin and history

The castle of Nampont, in reality a strong house, is located in the eponymous commune, in the northwest of the department of the Somme, in the Hauts-de-France region. Its origin dates back to at least the ninth century, with a first mention of the fief in 858. The present building, built in the 15th century, is characterized by a polygonal structure surrounding a rectangular courtyard protected by moat fed by springs. This defensive system, reinforced by a round tower and murderers, was adapted to artillery in the 16th and 17th centuries, with the addition of firemouths and gunboats.

The seigneury of Nampont changed hands several times: held by the family of Nampont until the 13th century, it then passed to the Bernâtre (1335), then to the Quesnoy (1377). In the 15th century, Jean de Biencourt became its lord, followed by Josse de Vaudricourt, who partially rebuilt the buildings. In 1517, François I gathered the Paris Parliament to ratify the Bologna Concordat, under the property of Adrien de Vaudricourt. The castle was looted by the Spaniards in 1635, before being converted into a customs post for the gabelle.

In the 18th century, after repairs by the Becquin and Maisniel families (which replaced the drawbridge with a bridge sleeping in 1798), the site served as a collection post until 1725. Damaged by the bombings of 1944, which destroyed the west court and a tower, the castle underwent contemporary restorations. Today, it retains medieval defensive elements, such as machicolis, an octagonal well and a stair turret, witness to its evolution between fortress, seigneurial residence and administrative building.

The architecture of the castle reflects its successive adaptations: the modifications of the 16th century for artillery (firebuttons, gunboats) coincide with the remains of the 15th century, such as murderers and moats. The inner courtyard, once girded by a partially preserved round road, houses an open well. Recent restorations are aimed at preserving this war-stricken heritage, including those of the Second World War.

The site is part of a rich regional historical context, linked to feudal rivalries, Franco-Spanish wars and the royal administration. Its role as a customs post in the 18th century illustrates its integration into the economic networks of the Old Regime, while its partial destruction in 1944 recalls the upheavals of the 20th century in Picardia.

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