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Origin and history

The château de Chambois is a former 12th century castle located in the present municipality of Gouffern en Auge, in the department of Orne. Its square dungeon, typical of Norman architecture, is one of the best preserved in the region. It stands on a hilltop overlooking the Dive valley, near the church of the village, and had the function of controlling the road linking Exmes and Falaise, two capitals of the Vicomte du Hiémois.

The history of the castle dates back to 924 when Rollon, after conquering the county of Hiémois, erected the Chambois chestnut in centenia, administered by a vicar. In 1024, Richard II of Normandy gave it to Drogon de Vexin, Count of Vexin and Ponthieu. Although no archaeological vestige confirms its existence at that time, a first castle could already exist. In 1113, Henri I Beauclerc confisque Chambois, who then passed to his daughter Mathilde, then to his grandson Henri II Plantagenet.

The present dungeon-palais is attributed to Guillaume de Mandeville († 1189), Count of Essex and vassal of Henry II. Built between 1160 and 1190, it illustrates Norman military architecture with its corner turrets and 3 metres thick walls. In 1204, Philippe Auguste confiscates Normandy and offers Chambois to his marshal Henri Clément. The castle then changed hands, passing to the Chambly and Tilly families, before being improved in the 14th century during the Hundred Years War.

During this conflict, Charles the Bad, king of Navarre and ally of the English, seized the castle in 1363 before returning it after his defeat against Du Guesclin. The fortifications are then reinforced, and a round road with mâchicoulis is added. In 1417 Henry V of England took it and gave it to his chamberlain, Henry FitzHugh, before it was taken over by Dunois in 1449. In the 16th century, the castle suffered sieges and destruction, especially in 1556 by Protestant troops of Montgomery.

In the 17th century, the former medieval house was demolished and replaced by a modern castle, while the enclosure was destroyed in 1750. The dungeon, which was listed as a historic monument in 1921, was not destroyed during the Revolution by its owner, Mr. Deneuve. In the 19th century, the rest of the castle was demolished, leaving only the dungeon and some remains of the fortifications. Today, it bears witness to Norman military architecture and its evolution throughout the centuries.

Architecturally, the Chambois dungeon is distinguished by its rectangular plan (21.40 × 15.40 m) and its four turrets of square angles, habitable and equipped with various functions (oratory, cachot, dovecot). Its upper round path, added in the 14th century, makes it an autonomous defensive system. Inside, the aula (large room) and the camera (seigneurial room) reflect the relative comfort for the time, with decorated fireplaces and geminied berries. The screw staircase, originally made of wood, serves all three levels, while medieval graffiti attests to permanent military occupation.

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