Knife, castle of Chateau-Thierry, Picardy, France

A knife with wooden handle and iron blade, 16th century, from the 1999 excavations at the medieval castle of Chateau-Thierry led by Christophe Patat, kept at the Centre Jean Mace, at the Cordeliers Convent, Chateau-Thierry, Picardy, France. The first fortifications on this spur over the river Marne date from the 4th century and the first castle was built in the 9th century Merovingian period by the counts of Vermandois. Thibaud II enlarged the castle in the 12th century and built the Tour Thibaud, and Thibaud IV expanded it significantly in the 13th century to include 17 defensive towers in the walls and an East and South gate. The castle was largely destroyed in the French Revolution after having been a royal palace since 1285. In 1814 it was used as a citadel for Napoleonic troops. Picture by Manuel Cohen

Picture No

13430153

Media ID

45131024

Size

5616px x 3744px (13.1MB)

Credit

Manuel Cohen / Mary Evans

Source

Photograph by Manuel Cohen