Castle of Mandilhac dans le Cantal

Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

Mandilhac Castle, also known as Madillac, was a fortified building located in the Carladez, a historic area on the edge of Aveyron and Cantal. Although disappeared, he left visible remains on a moth near the village of Thérondels. This site reflects an ancient occupation, linked to the feudal organisation of the territory.

Mandilhac was first mentioned in 1010, when Agnès de Mels, Gilbert I's widow, divided Carlat's Viscount. This division between his three sons marks the anchoring of the fief in local history, associated with the family of Monteils. The lords of Mandilhac, like Jehan de Monteilh (died 1615), played a role in the judicial and feudal administration of the region, especially at the presidial of Rouergue.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the castle passed into the hands of influential families, such as the Verdier de Mandilhac. Jérôme de Verdier, treasurer of France and secretary of the king, illustrates the social ascension of this lineage. His marriage with Marie-Anne de Balsac in 1709, and then with Antoinette de Pélamourgue in 1720, strengthened local alliances. The Verdier family retained the fief until its disappearance, with members occupying positions as mayor of Mur-de-Barrez or justice of the peace.

The arms of the Verdier de Mandilhac family, described as "Golden Three Tree Party torn from Sinople", reflect their noble status. The castle, though ruined, remains a symbol of the feudal and administrative dynamics of Carladez, between Aveyron and Auvergne.

Today, the remains of Mandilhac recall the history of a place linked to the Viscounts of Carlat, the families of Monteils and Verdier, and the judicial organisation of the Rouergue. Its decline is part of the transformation of seigneurial structures in modern times.

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