Sancerre has a rich history. During the 16th century, the village was a Protestant stronghold. During the Wars of Religion, the Catholic king sent 7,000 soldiers to lay siege to the fortress on top of the hill. Cannon fire was relentless and the siege was one of the last times in European history that the trebuchet was used.
The Protestants held out for 8 months; some 500 people starved to death and 84 were killed in the offensive. In the end, the Protestants (Huguenots) surrendered. In 1621, much of the feudal castle and city walls were destroyed by the king to weaken future resistance. The only remaing tower (La Tour de Fiefs) stands above our apartment.
There is still a Protestant church in town, though I don't know how active it is.
Posted with Blogsy
Love the history. That is so cool.
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