Ancien château des comtes de Lallaing

English translation

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History

The first occupation of the site dates from the 12th century; the motte castle gradually transformed into a fortress. The fortified castle is the principal fief of the Lallaing family of whom several members are illustrious figures. The lords of Lallaing have at the 13th century the important castle whose enclosure encompasses the church. A fairly precise idea of the buildings of the late Middle Ages is provided by three gouaches from the Croy albums: the platform was surrounded by a crenellated polygonal curtain wall, topped with at least four cylindrical towers. Entry was made at the level of a large square keep, furnished at the level of the portal, with a small rectangular forward body. This is the keep of the 12th century, remodelled in the 16th century by the opening, on its south-east façade, of four bays of mullioned windows. At the north-west angle, a small square turret projects from the keep by two additional levels. In the 17th century, when the fief passes to the d'Arenberg family, the wars of Louis XIV have heavy consequences for the castle; it deteriorates rapidly. In 1904, the domain is ceded by the princess of d'Arenberg to M. Morel; his heirs sell it in 1943 to the Company of Aniche Mines. In 1959, the commune acquires the property and entrusts to the Douai architect Coisne the realisation of a new town hall on the site of the Morel castle. The last remaining elements of the site are destroyed except for the bridge and entrance gate which are preserved in the arrangement of the surroundings and serve as entrance to the entire site of the town hall and its park, where one can see a pillory.