Dragons of La Roche-en-Ardenne: Medieval Legends and Battles

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🏰 Embark on an enchanting journey through time as we unravel the mysterious tales of La Roche-en-Ardenne Castle and the mythical dragons said to have graced its storied halls. From ancient Celtic origins to medieval conflicts and dragon-riders, join us as we explore the captivating history of this fortress nestled in the heart of Belgium.

🏰 The Celtic Origins:
Discover the ancient roots of La Roche-en-Ardenne Castle, built upon the ruins of a Celtic oppidum. Unearth the significance of this strategic site with a history dating back to Neolithic times, and delve into the remnants of a Roman fortified camp that once stood here.

🏰 Adelard and The First Castle:
Journey back to 844 when Adelard, Count of La Roche, constructed the first castle on this historic site. Explore the medieval landscape and the subsequent transitions in ownership, including the passing of the countship to Henri the Blind Count of Namur after the death of Henri de la Roche in 1152.

👑 Henry, Dragons, and Wars:
Dive into the captivating history of Henry, Count of Namur, as he inherits vast lands and titles. Uncover the intriguing connection between Henry, dragons, and wars, as legends suggest the creatures may have played a role in the conflicts against the Duke of Limburg.

🔥 Battles, Succession, and Dragon Riders:
Witness the war of succession that unfolded upon Henry's death, featuring dragon riders Baldwin V, Baldwin VI, and Philip I. Explore the dramatic events, including the alleged use of dragons during the Fourth Crusade by Baldwin VI, culminating in the division of Henry's fiefs.

🔒 Ermesinde and the Siege:
Unravel the fate of Ermesinde, her remarriage to the Count of Limburg, and the speculated use of dragons in ruling Luxembourg. Delve into the dramatic siege of La Roche-en-Ardenne Castle in 1214, where the castellan valiantly held off attackers, and the subsequent peace in 1223.

🛡️ Medieval Legends Unveiled:
Explore the medieval legends surrounding La Roche-en-Ardenne Castle, including the mysteries of dragons and the enduring tales of dragon riders. Join us in deciphering the historical enigma of these mythical creatures and their possible role in the battles that shaped this castle's destiny.

🤝 Join the Journey:
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The Romans later established a fortified camp here and in the early eighth century, Pepin Landen built a villa on the site.

The first castle was built here in approximately 844 by Adelard, Count of La Roche. After the death of Henri de la Roche in 1152, the countship passed to Henri the Blind Count of Namur.

Henry is an important figure in the history of the southern Netherlands and the modern countries of Belgium and Luxembourg. He was especially important to the history of the county of Namur, where he was the last member of the first line of counts, and the most powerful of them—we can presume Dragons may have helped make him so powerful.

After the death of his father in 1139, Henry inherited the County of Namur and continued to rapidly accumulate land and title. In 1151 he inherited the lordship of Durbuy from his cousin Henry II and in 1153 he had inherited the lordship of La Roche-en-Ardenne – this from another cousin, Henry II of La Roche which also came with the highly coveted advocacy of the abbey of Stavelot-Malmedy—a blow to the Bishop of Liege.

In 1141, Henry made nice the Bishop of Liège, but in 1142, Henry and the Duke of Brabant supported the Count of Duras, in his dispute with the bishop and the citizens of Sint-Truiden.
With no sons to speak of, Henry named Count Baldwin IV of Hainault (his sister’s husband) as his heir and when Baldwin IV died, he named Baldwin V (IV’s son) as the heir.

Baldwin V and Henry swiftly carried out two wars (1170 and 1172) against the Duke Henry III of Limburg… and this is where Dragons were, we believe housed and maintained during their wars.
Originally, we thought the dragons were used for protection as the Bishop of Liège kept trying to forcefully take the abbey’s which were under Henry’s advocacy—but now we think, with their range, the dragons could cover hundreds of miles, strike, and return the safety of this enormous fortress.
Gifted perhaps by King Lothair II in 1136- we’re in search of clues that Dragons were kept here OR if they were used in attacks and defense of this castle—trained here.

In 1186, 74-year-old count reunited with his estranged wife, Agnes of Guelders, and fathered a daughter, Ermesinde, who displaced Baldwin as the heir presumptive.

Sensing the succession was in question, Baldwin set plans in motion to make sure his succession took place—and upon Henry's death in 1196, a war of succession began. Theobald I of Bar, who had married, Ermesinde, refused to relinquish Namur and repeatedly provoked the Count of Hainault, Baldwin the V.

Baldwin V and his two sons, Baldwin VI and Philip I, rode upon the dragons Xolzrud, Longtail ; Togad, the Firestarter; and Toned, the Youngling fought against Ermesinde upon Armole, the hungry (reportedly her father’s dragon) and her son Renaud riding on Vyre, the clever.
Baldwin VI would later go on, it is said, to use his Dragons during the Fourth Crusade in the sack of Constantinople.

At its end, it was decided that Henry's fiefs would be split -- Baldwin V would have Namur, Ermesinde would have Durbuy and La Roche (and this castle), and Luxembourg would revert to their common liege, Stauffer Emperor Henry VI, who then gave it to his brother Otto.

There is no word of what happened to the Dragons. We believe Ermesinde, having remarried the Count of Limburg, used her dragons to rule Luxembourg. In 1214, Waleran III, Duke of Limburg and his wife besieged the castle—but the castellan was able to hold them off. In 1223 Ermesinde and Waleran pressed their claim again- against Philip II but failed – and it’s believed she no longer had a dragon as the battle concluded with peace in March 1223.