Zizor castle

Zhizorsky castle is often called the castle of the Templars ^[1] . Scientists are still arguing whether the hill on which the Gisor castle is built is natural or artificial, but the strategic position of the castle is undeniable.

Castle
Zizor castle
Château de gisors
A country	France
City	Zhizor
Founder	Wilhelm II
First mention	1097 year
Construction	beginning of XI century - XII century
Status	historical monument (1862)
Website	ville-gisors.fr

History

The appearance of the first fortifications by historians dates back to 1087 . Senior Gisora ​​- Thibaut “Paen” de Montmorency - strengthens the city with a stone wall. Seven years later, on the site of the old fortifications, by order of the King of England, William II the Red , the construction of the castle begins under the supervision of Robert de Bellesme. William II died without seeing his brainchild, and the construction continued by Henry I.

Over its long life, the castle has seen many historical characters, repeatedly experienced sieges and became a member of various historical events. In 1113, a truce was concluded in Gisore between France and England.

In 1116, the construction of an octagonal dungeon was completed, which has survived to this day. The castle successfully survived in 1120 during its first siege. In 1123, it was decided to build a powerful stone wall around the castle. In 1144, Gottfried of Anjou conquered the duchy of Normandy and transferred the castle of Gisor (and in 1149 the whole of Norman Vexin) to Louis VII, in order to be recognized as his duke and to ensure France’s neutrality in the war between his wife Matilda and King Stephen for the English throne. In 1158, the son of Godfried and Matilda, King of England Henry II agrees on the future marriage of his young heir to the French princess, who was supposed to receive a dowry of Gisor and Norman Vexin. For a while, the castle is transferred to the neutral side - the Templars . However, in 1160, Henry II managed to convince the Templars to hand over the castle to him, and when his son Henry the “Young King” died childless in 1183, he refused to return the dowry. The young French king Philip II Augustus, busy with the war against the league of barons, did not have the opportunity to object.

Thus, the castle gradually becomes an apple of discord and an outpost on the border of basic interests between the French and the British. The castle continues to be strengthened. In 1170, regular work began on strengthening the castle on the orders of Henry II of the Short Cloak, but they did not save him from taking it in 1193 by Philip Augustus. Taking advantage of the situation of the capture of Richard the Lionheart and his captivity at Leopold of Austria, Philip Augustus captured the castle, bribing the commandant of the castle Gilbert de Weisskel. Philip continues to strengthen the castle by building a “prisoner tower”. Despite the generally unsuccessful wars of Philip II Augustus against Richard under the terms of armistice (in 1196 in Guyon and in 1199 in Le Gules), Gisore remains French. The castle was again handed over to the Templars.

In 1308, the Templars of Zhizor were arrested, the most “dangerous" Templars were brought here from the area and the castle turned into a prison for the next 6 years. The “Tower of Prisoners” is evidence of these events. During the centenary war, the castle changes hands several times. In 1419, the troops of the Duke of Clarence after a three-day siege capture the castle. In the next 30 years of ownership of the castle by the British, measures are taken to strengthen it, namely the construction of 12 powerful towers around the perimeter of the fortress wall. But already in 1449 the castle passed to the French, this time forever.

The year 1527 for the castle of Gisor was marked by management by the Duke of Ferara, but a couple of years later the castle was taken over by the Duke of Maen. The castle again changed owners several times.

With the advent of artillery, Gisor lost its military significance and already in 1851 the castle became the property of the city. After carrying out restoration work in 1862, the castle is recognized as a historical monument .

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  Zizorsky castle. Wall and tower

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  Zhizorsky castle. Engraving of the 19th century