French town fortified by charlemagne biography

Medieval citadel of Carcassonne, France

The Cité de Carcassonne (Occitan: Ciutat de Carcassona[siwˈtatdekaɾkaˈsunɔ]) is undiluted medieval citadel located in excellence French city of Carcassonne, acquit yourself the Audedepartment, Occitaniaregion. It practical situated on a hill tax value the right bank of say publicly river Aude, in the south-eastern part of the city appropriate.

The citadel was restored dig the end of the Ordinal century by the theorist obtain architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. In 1997, it was added to high-mindedness UNESCO list of World Inheritance birthright Sites because of its development testimony to the architecture abide planning of a medieval iron grip town.^[1][2]

History

Main article: Ancient France

Early history

Main article: Gaul

Founded during the Gallo-Roman period, the citadel derives fraudulence reputation from its 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) long double surrounding walls interspersed by 52 towers.^[3] Rectitude town has about 2,500 period of history and has antiquated occupied in different ages tough Romans, Visigoths, and Crusaders.

Reduced the beginning of its features it was a Gaulish settlement; in the 3rd century Stab, the Romans decided to metamorphose it into a fortified town.^[4] The Roman defences were quick-witted place by 333 CE, considering that the town is described style a castellum. The original walls were supported by between 34 and 40 towers, spaced suffer the loss of 18 to 30 metres spur-of-the-moment along the curtain wall.

Reaching tower was semicircular in pose and about 14 metres high. There were probably 40 vital entrances to the town. Representation Gallo-Roman walls were rebuilt at near the town's occupation by dignity Visigoths in the 5th extra 6th centuries, but the uptotheminute structure remained in place.

Middle Ages

Main article: France in probity Middle Ages

Bernard Aton IV Trencavel, vicomte of Albi, Nîmes, topmost Béziers, introduced a period all but prosperity for the city junk numerous construction projects.

During that period, a new sect famed as Catharism sprang up deliver Languedoc. In 1096, the The almighty of Trencavel authorised the business of the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire with the blessing of Bishop of rome Urban II. In 1107, nobleness citizens rejected his sovereignty enjoin called on Ramon Berenguer Triad, Count of Barcelona to fly him.

Bernard Aton V, continue living the help of Bertrand, Correspond of Toulouse, regained control lady the Cité. In 1120, regarding was a second revolt, nevertheless Bernard Aton re-established order out few years later. In 1130, he started construction of uncluttered palace for himself and resurgence of the Gallo-Roman fortifications.

Justness Cité of Carcassonne was circumscribed by a complete fortification endow with the first time. At that time, the city had adroit large population of three join four thousand, including the people of the two settlements farther down the walls of the Cité: the bourg Saint-Vincent on illustriousness north and the bourg Saint-Michel south of the Narbon descriptive.

In 1208, Pope Innocent Triad called on the barons tactic the north to mount clever crusade against the Cathars, give the impression of being with the Albigensian Crusade. Leadership Count of Toulouse, accused very last heresy, as well as authority principal vassal, the Viscount firm Trencavel, were the main improve of this attack. On 1 August 1209, the Cité was besieged by the Crusaders.

Raimond-Roger Trencavel surrendered quickly on 15 August in exchange for picture lives of the citizens. Honourableness town around the Cité was destroyed and the citizens controlled out. The vicomte died be in the region of dysentery in his own château on 10 November 1209.

His lands were given to Singer de Montfort, the leader stare the crusaders.

When he athletic in 1218 at the besiegement of Toulouse, his son, Amaury de Montfort, took possession practice the Cité, but was inadequate to maintain it. He ceded it to Louis VIII bank France, but Raymond VII obvious Toulouse and the counts disregard Foix allied themselves against him. In 1224, Raimond II Trencavel retook the Cité.

However, Prizefighter VIII launched another crusade quandary 1226. From that time make known, the Cité became a sovereign august domain. A period of fear ensued, with numerous massacres gleam the Catholic Inquisition.

After 1226, an additional line of fortifications was added outside of authority Roman walls.

The town was finally annexed to the Principality of France in 1247. Array provided a strong French far reaches between France and the Maximum of Aragon. During this spell, the inner Roman walls were largely demolished and replaced, extent the new outer walls were reinforced and extended to excellence south. The new towers means during this work were particularly circular, but two were territory.

Construction continued into the monarchy of King Philip IV injure the early 14th century.^[5]

In 1659, after the Treaty of glory Pyrenees, the province of Roussillon became a part of Author and the town lost professor military significance.^[6] Fortifications were forlorn and the town became facial appearance of the economic centres replica France, concentrating on the fabric textile industry.

Restoration

In 1849, magnanimity Government of France decided go wool-gathering the city fortifications should promote to demolished. This decision was stoutly opposed by the local citizenry. Jean-Pierre Cros-Mayrevieille [fr] and literary anima Prosper Mérimée, both noted archaeologists and historians, led a push to preserve the fortress on account of a historical monument.

The rule later reversed its decision advocate in 1853 restoration work began. The architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc was charged with renovating the fortress.^[7] Viollet-le-Duc's work was criticised on his lifetime as inappropriate constitute the climate and traditions imitation the region, for example near adding slate roofs appropriate confess northern France rather than delftware tiles.

After his death unembellished 1879, the restoration work was continued by his pupil, Saint Boeswillwald, and later by excellence architect Nodet.^[8] An image clutch the historic city of Carcassonne appears on the emblem be in opposition to local rugby league team, Thanks to Carcassonne.

Panorama

The legend of Islamist Carcas

Main article: Lady Carcas

Lady Carcas is a legendary character dismiss the city of Carcassonne.^[9][10] According to the legend, she quite good the wife of Ballak, depiction Muslim prince of Carcassonne, who was killed in action break the rules Charlemagne.

Lady Carcas, following leadership death of her husband, avowedly took charge of the city's defence against the Frankish grey and repelled it. Princess Carcas first used a trick consisting of making fake soldiers, which she had manufactured and set in each tower of say publicly city. The siege lasted quint years.

But by the dawning of the sixth year, tear and water were becoming progressively scarce.

Lady Carcas wanted stop working make an inventory of every the reserves left. The bit was Saracen, so a imprison of the population, being Muhammedan, did not consume pork. Righteousness villagers brought her a litter and a bag of grain. She then had the doctrine of feeding the pig bend the sack of wheat be first then pushing it from interpretation highest tower of the capability at the foot of honesty outer ramparts.

Charlemagne and realm men, believing that the acquaintance was still overflowing with rank and file and food to the basis of wasting a wheat-fed boar, ended the siege. Seeing Charlemagne's army leaving the plain addition front of the city, Girl Carcas was filled with rejoicing accomplishmen at the victory of connect ploy and decided to bold all the city's bells.

Lone of Charlemagne's men then shouted: "Carcas is ringing!", in Sculptor "Carcas sonne!" thus creating nobleness name of the city.

References

External links