Castle of Rossillon

The castle of Rossillon is a Château 14th century located in the Village of Rossillon (Ain) in the Rhone-Alps.

History

In the Cluse of the Hospitals , small a Village, Rossillon, played an important role in the history of the states of Savoy. At the entry of the village, one sees on the left a residence of the 14th century, built by the family of Forest. This massive masonry, with powerful the Buttress S, has still beautiful pace and is in the course of restoration. Flanked of a square turn, she knew various destinies, Prison at the 19th century, then Caserne of gendarmerie to horse at the beginning of the 20th century.

On the right Castle, on an esplanade, draws up harmonious a church, in good state, restored and increased at the same time by the Seigneur S of Forest.

To 100 m above, overhanging Rossillon and his procession, one sees an imposing surmounted rock of a Statue of the Vierge, site of the old castle, of which there does not remain any trace, and who was to be connected more to one uncomfortable military that with a home seigneurial fears, and was left with the abandonment.

The load of Châtelain in Savoy was extremely required with the Moyen-âge and was conceded only with the first Noblesse, in recognition of services rendered to the Guerre, with the court, or in the Ambassade S. the lord of the manor returned the Justice, managed and controlled in the name of the prince. This “mandement” constituted for the lord of the manor, in addition to the pledges which it received, a source of profit various, and conferred many rights to him. In addition, the Lord of the manor could designate a vice-Lord of the manor and continue to exert his functions near the Prince.

However, the Châtellenie of Rossillon, by its extent, its strategic situation with the steps of Savoy, and its many Parish S, was most important of the Bugey for the period when the lords of Forest were the holders (14th century at the beginning of the 16th century).

One could regard Rossillon as the Capitale of Bugey and his lord of the manor, or bailly, like the dignitary of the Province. In spite of the current modesty of the village of Rossillon, one knows that it was surrounded by Fortification S of which there remains certain vestiges.

Moreover, the roles, or accounts thoroughly held by the lords of the manor, inform us on the economic, administrative and legal importance of the baillage of Rossillon. Following a Fire which almost entirely destroyed Rossillon, the seat of the baillifs of Bugey was transported to Belley where it remained.

Guillaume II, Lord of Forest, Châtelard, Fenarre in Greece, was the first lord of the manor of Rossillon, dice 1398. Page of the green Count, Rider of the Count Rouge, Chamberlain and Ambassador of the duke Amédée VII, it is him which made rebuild the chorus church where it was buried in 1440, and build a side Chapelle, where the weapons appear on the keystone .

He then succeed his/her son, Jean Ier of Forest, buried in 1466 with the tomb of his/her father. It is him which made set up the strong house, sits of the baillage of Rossillon, with the entry of the strengthened village.

Antoine of Forest (1445 - 1499), lord of the Bar, governor of Nice - famous to have saved the young duke Philibert of the hands of “Bold” - and his/her brother Hugues, both wire of the precedent, will share the châtellenie until in 1509, date of died of Hugues.

When François I {{er}} seizes Bugey in 1536, it is still Forest, Philibert, lord of Albanian Bâtie, grandson of Hugues, who lends “faith and homage” to king de France for his châtellenie of Rossillon. Starting from 1550 approximately, the offices of lord of the manor fell in discredit and were less and less exerted by the nobility.

Historic building

The castle of Rossillon is registered with the additional Inventaire Historic buildings since January 2005.

Photographs

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