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Meet Sir Hugh Calveley – Knight and Warden of the Channel Islands, he tells his story of medieval battles and Mont Orgueil Castle.

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5 minute introductory film giving an overview of Mont Orgueil Castle

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Artwork depicting the invasion and siege of Mont Orgueil Castle by Betrand du Guesclin in 1373.

Painting by N Rybot, a Jersey historian and author in early 1900s.

In 1373 du Guesclin, accompanied by the Duke of Bourbon, led a large invasion force to Jersey of around 2,000 men. Bertrand, known as The Black Dog of Brittany – or, more accurately, La Dogue Noir de Brocéliande, overran the Island, capturing Grosnez Castle in the process. His forces also burned property and killed Islanders.

With no water supply and limited defences, Grosnez was no real obstacle.

Le Château de Gorey, later known as Mont Orgueil Castle was different. Du Guesclin's troops tunnelled under the outer walls but the inner walls were built on the cliff rock and they could make no further progress. Inside the Castle were around 20 archers and 20 men at arms along with the Warden of the Isles, Sir William Asthorpe and Bailiff Jean de St Martin. Despite the difference in size of troops, the men inside the Castle knew that they could withstand a siege of up to six months and negotiated with du Guesclin, saying that the castle would surrender if reinforcements did not arrive. Hostages were given, as was common in such agreements in medieval warfare.

After around four months, an English fleet arrived to lift the siege, but for two more years the island was constantly attacked by the French until an arrangement was arrived at that they would pay a ransom for du Guesclin to cease hostilities.

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On site visits to Mont Orgueil Castle with one of our Education Officers. Visit will include:

Castle Features

Stories of the people over the ages at Mont Orgueil

History of Normandy and Jersey

Handling replica artefacts

Please email: education@jerseyheritage.org for booking

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Hazard information that can be used to inform school risk assessments.

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Information about a school visit to Mont Orgueil Castle

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We have available for pupils and teachers:

Sensory backpack (with timers, fidget toys and ear defenders)

Visual / Sensory Story if required

Photo tour - guided tour information with photos of the site and brief info

Teachers information / lesson plan

Free Pre-visit for teacher if needed

Please email education@jerseyheritage.org for more information or to book a pre-visit

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Introduction to the changes to Mont Orgueil Castle during the Tudor times.  Suitable for KS2.  Learn about how, why, who and what changes were made to the Castle and see where those changes were

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JP Hamon-Cole, Site Gardien of Mont Orgueil Castle takes you on a quick tour around Mont Orgueil Castle to show you how it was changed during the turbulent Tudor times.

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In the 1100s, King David I of Scotland wanted to let everyone know that he was the most powerful man in the land. Building lots of , strong castles was a great way of showing everyone that he was boss.

There were lots of families or that didn't want him as their King so they came up with clever ways to attack his castles.

The King's castle builders had to keep coming up with new ideas to make their castles and . This continued for hundreds of years after King David's reign.

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In the 1100s, King David I of Scotland wanted to let everyone know that he was the most powerful man in the land. Building lots of , strong castles was a great way of showing everyone that he was boss.

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While watching this, consider how well these things would work at Mont Orgueil? Could it be dug under? Where might the best place for a siege weapon be? What areas of the Castle could store provisions?

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How To Attack And Defend A Castle (The Fun Way)

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Mont Orgueil has many of these features, but not all of them. It is interesting to think about which of these Mont Orgueil had and didn't have, why, and which might be the most useful.

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A castle was built to withstand attack from enemy. Castle builders added many defensive features to make their castles difficult to attack. Many castles were built on high ground with clear views of the surrounding land.

Moats

Attackers were easy to shoot whilst swimming or rowing across the moats filled with water.

Moats reduced the risk of tunnelling under the castle.

Ramparts

Ramparts were steep banks of earth or rubble. Attackers had to climb over them to get closer to the castle.

High walls

The walls of the castles were very high making it hard for attackers to climb over.

Can you see the people in the photograph?
They look so tiny compared to the hugh entrance to Bodiam Castle.

Machicolations

These were stone boxes that projected from the walls of castles and had holes in the floors for dropping stones or boiling oil on attackers. Wooden versions of these were called hoards.

Gateway defences

The entrance to the castle was always its weakest point.

Drawbridges could be pulled up, preventing access across moats.

Tall gate towers meant that defenders could shoot down in safety at attacks below.

The main gate or door to the castle was usually a thick, iron-studded wooden door, that was hard to break through.

A spiked wooden or metal barrier, called portcullis, helped protect the doors from fire and battering. It was lowered by chains from a chamber above the gateway.

The word portcullis comes from the Old French porte-coleice, meaning sliding door.

Arrow and Gun Loops

These provided a safer means of firing arrows on the attackers of the castle. They are found in many different styles on the curtain wall and towers of the castle.

Destroy a Castle - Game

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Castle Defences - Facts about Castles for kids

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A castle was built to withstand attack from enemy. Castle builders added many defensive features to make their castles difficult to attack. Many castles were built on high ground with clear views of the surrounding land. Moats Attackers were easy to shoot whilst swimming or rowing across the moats filled with water.

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As you walk around Mont Orgueil, think about where these different groups of people might have lived. Much of the Lower Ward would have been for those people working at the Castles. Where do you think the Soldiers might have trained? Which part of Mont Orgueil do you think would have been most useful to the lord of the Castle?

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Once upon a time castles were full of life, bustle and noise and crowded with lords, knights, servants, soldiers and entertainers. In times of war and siege they were exciting and dangerous places, but they were homes as well as fortresses.

Discover more about the people who lived and worked in castles, from the Lord and Lady to the unfortunate servant who had to clean out the cesspit.

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Castles aren't just used by kings and queens. Discover more about the people who lived and worked in castles, from the Lord and Lady to the unfortunate servant who had to clean out the cesspit.

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The first record of a castle being built at Gorey is some 800 years ago at the beginning of the 13th century. King John had lost his continental possessions in Normandy in 1204 and the defence of the Channel Islands became imperative. Not only did the Channel Islands become the front line towards France, but they were also on the trade route between Gascony (still an English possession) and England and vital to the wine trade between the two, and of course the revenues that would accrue to the Crown.

Standing on top of a rocky promontory, and built on earlier defensive structures which probably date back to the Stone Age, Mont Orgueil as it became known as in later life, was the embodiment of power which was clearly visible from France on a clear day. The Castle survived sieges and was never fully taken by force despite numerous attempts. As the art of warfare changed, and the weaknesses in the Castle's structure became apparent, addition fortifications or armaments were added. But by the time of the 16th century, the Castle, originally designed for the age of bow and arrow, was extremely vulnerable to attack from cannon that might be mounted on Mont St Nicholas immediately to the east. Despite batteries of its own cannons and an impressive new keep having been added to counter the threat, it was, however, all for nothing. Cannon technology continued to advance apace, and the Castle was effectively abandoned by the late 16th century in favour of Jersey's new artillery fortresses in St Aubin's Bay - Elizabeth Castle and St. Aubin's Fort. Gorey Castle had started its decline as a military fortress.

Saved from demolition by the Governor of Jersey, Sir Walter Raleigh, the Castle continued service as the "Old Castle". It and Elizabeth Castle were later held for the Royalists in the English Civil War until a large Parliamentary force landed and forced the surrender of the troublesome Island and its castles. It has served as a prison, a barracks and a centre of espionage in the late 18th century. Retired to become a ruined ancient monument in the 19th century, it attracted sight-seeing visitors rather than attacking soldiers. However it had one further military role in the 20th century, when it was occupied by the Germans during the Occupation and they added their own modifications. If you want to see at least 3000 years of military history all in one place, this is one of a number of locations in Jersey where you can do that!

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The first record of a castle being built at Gorey is some 800 years ago at the beginning of the 13th century. King John had lost his continental possessions in Normandy in 1204 and the defence of the Channel Islands became imperative.

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Making History

MISSED A PROGRAMME?
Go to the Listen Again page

Sue Cook presents the series that examines listeners' historical queries, exploring avenues of research and uncovering mysteries.

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BBC - Radio 4 Making History - Jersey 1204

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Making History MISSED A PROGRAMME? Go to the Listen Again page Sue Cook presents the series that examines listeners' historical queries, exploring avenues of research and uncovering mysteries.

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The Jersey Heritage Archive & Online Collections section allows you to subscribe to view scanned copies of archives such as the German Occupation Registration Cards and important document transcriptions online.

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Photo tour with information about the site, features and what to look for. This can be used for pupils that need to explore the castle independently from a group. The Education Team will have a folder containing this tour during a led group whilst at the Castle or you can print it out for your own use.

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Significant People of Mont Orgueil Castle

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Significant People of Mont Orgueil Castle

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Timeline of events and major building at Mont Orgueil Castle

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All local teachers are able to have a free pre-visit to Mont Orgueil Castle if needed.

Please email education@jerseyheritage.org to book a free pre-planning visit.

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Picture quiz for Mont Orgueil Castle

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Teacher's guide to visiting Mont Orgueil Castle

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Teacher's guide to visiting Mont Orgueil Castle

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For use with the Education Team during classroom based sessions.