History

Built on a cliff's edge in front and protected by a ravine in back, commanding the valley at the border of the Auxerrois and Nivernais regions - an ideal location for an easily defendable stronghold - the Château of Mailly has nevertheless been battered through six centuries of war, destroyed once during the Hundred Years’ War and then again during the French revolution.

The lives of its residents have unfolded in the face of constant warfare. In the thirteenth century the Countess Mahaut de Courtenay, the daughter of a cousin of King Phillipe Auguste, fended off repeated attempts at territorial conquests by neighboring counts. In the mid-fifteenth century Captain Fort-Epice (Strong-Spice) with his army of mercenaries fought off the British to take control of Mailly le Château and the château's last resident, Angran D'Allerey - a victim of Robespierre's Reign of Terror - was guillotaned in 1794 for the crime of having sent money to his children abroad. To be continued ...