French archaeologists have discovered remains of a 14th
-century medieval castle
, including a moat,
under the courtyard of a historic hotel
in France.
The castle belonged to John V the Conqueror (INRAP).
This is the Château de l'Hermine, whose discovery offers an idea of what life was like for the nobility who used the castle for almost a century, reports
LiveScience
.
Experts from the French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) made the discovery during excavations between February and April 2023, in the basements and in the current courtyard of the Lagorce hotel, a private mansion built at the end of the
18th century
, according to a statement. broadcast by INRAP last week, reports
RT
.
It was the castle of John V the Conqueror
The castle is located in Vannes, a town on the Atlantic coast in northwestern France, and was built as a fortress and residence of John V the Conqueror, Duke of Brittany, in 1381.
During excavations in the courtyard of the former Lagorce hotel, archaeologists discovered the ground floor of the duke's residence, as well as the remains of a tower that rose above the outer moat. The castle measured about
42 meters long and 17 meters wide
, and had walls up to 5.5 meters thick. Inside were several staircases, including the front staircase, as well as carved stucco and decorated posts.
The castle measured about 42 meters long and 17 meters wide (INRAP).
Dozens of objects "related to the daily life of the castle" were found at the site, including coins, kitchen plates and
jewelry
. The humidity of the area also preserved notable wooden objects, such as fragments of barrels, indicates
RT
.
Researchers point out that the castle's architectural plan skillfully combines defensive functions with the needs of a home. Between the 10th and 16th centuries, Brittany was a medieval feudal state, established after the Vikings were expelled from the region. Basically a small country, the Duchy of Brittany was ruled by a line of hereditary dukes.
Some of the objects found in the excavations (INRAP).
When John IV came to power in 1365, he began to build numerous fortress houses throughout Brittany, with the castle of l'Hermine becoming the seat of the duchy.
Part of the castle unearthed during excavations (INRAP).
The castle was used as the main residence of the Dukes of Brittany for only a century, until falling into total neglect when John IV's grandson, Francis II, moved the duchy's capital to another site, says
RT
.
Renovations in the 18th and 20th centuries turned the building into a hotel, then a law school, and finally government offices built on the original 14th-century castle.
See also
See also
He took a baby hedgehog to the vet and they realized that it was something very different from an animal
See also
See also
At 94 years old, one of Hollywood's most famous actors is unrecognizable
See also
See also
The girl who won 3 gold medals with sneakers drawn on her feet
GML