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Hemyock Castle
Ancient Heart of the Blackdowns


Deep Historic Links with Continental Europe

These webpages use pottery sherds (fragments) & objects found at Hemyock Castle, to explore centuries of close links with continental Europe: Links to other webpages in this series.


12th or 13th Century: Handle of a Jug from Rouen, France

After the Norman conquest of England in 1066, by Norsemen based in northern France, most of the ruling families were from northern France. They brought ideas, culture, customs, and objects. Many of their musicians & entertainers, probably travelled around and from Europe.

Photo: Top Part of Handle for 12th century Rouen Jug
Top Part of Handle for 12th century Rouen Jug

This is the top part of the handle of a 12th or 13th century jug from Rouen, Normandy. Found at Hemyock Castle, the jug would have belonged to the Hidons or Dinhams when they held Hemyock Manor. The Dinham family originated from Dinan, Brittany.

Map: Kingdom of France in 1154
Map: Kingdom of France in 1154, by Reigen
from, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:France_1154-en.svg
Click to open map at full resolution

Especially during this period, there would have been close links – and rivalries – between the ruling families on both sides of the English Channel. In 1373, during the Hundred Years War with France, while Sir William Asthorpe of Hemyock Castle was Keeper of the Channel Isles, Bertrand du Guesclin (1320 – 1380) the Constable of France led French forces against him. Bertrand du Guesclin (aka. "The Eagle of Brittany" or "The Black Dog of Brocéliande") was born at Motte-Broons near Dinan, Brittany... ie. near the home of Sir William's wife's family.

Photo: Statue of Bertrand du Guesclin the Constable of France
Bertrand du Guesclin the Constable of France, at Dinan Brittany
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Du_Guesclin_Dinan.jpg by Luna04


Other webpages in this series, exploring centuries of close links with continental Europe:


European Year of Cultural Heritage – UK is the UK's part of The European Year of Cultural Heritage, a new European initiative.


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Hemyock Castle, Hemyock, CULLOMPTON, Devon, EX15 3RJ, UK.
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