The history of Mailleberchie has been determined by its prominent border location, straddling a frequently-shifting political line between
the Angoumois and the Périgord. While both were initially part of the Duchy of
Aquitaine (Guyenne), the area was long contested by the Kings of England and the Kings of France.
The domain straddles other divides as well.
Geographically and ethnically the immediate area pertains more to the Périgord than to the Angoumois, where
it has recently been situated politically. The domain’s waters flow into the Dronne of the Périgord, not
into the Charente, and the local language is historically Limousin-Occitan, not Saintongeais.
Medium Aevum
In the middle ages the domain lay within the Duchy of Acquitaine. From 1308 onwards the domain found itself on the border of the county of Angoulesme
with the county of Périgord. Mailleberchie was fortified as an outpost of the Duchy of Lavalette at
least since the 1300’s. Foundry activities at the site have been proven beginning at least as early as
the 1400’s, and the fabrication of chain-mail armour for the local knights at
Villebois-Lavallette may be the etymological origin for the names “Mailleberchie” and "Malberchie", with further alternative
explanations having also been suggested.
1300’s
Coinciding with the start of the 100 Year War, wine from the Charente is first exported to England,
adding significantly to the economy of the region, but also increasing the perception of its value to
opposing forces. A chivalric lodge is erected at Mailleberchie overlooking vital
borderposts.
1500’s
The site was recorded as having been first permanently fortified in the 1500’s, during the French wars
of religion, when Fort Villebois was largely destroyed and whilst Mailleberchie was a feudal territory
of Joseph Lord of Chastellars. In 1586 the castle and châtellenie of Mailleberchie was given by him as
dowry to Jean de Villedon, also feudal Lord of Perefond and de Laurière, as part of the contract of
marriage with his daughter Anne (called Aimée) de La Rebuterie, dame de Mailleberchie. Jean de Villedon
thus became the Seigneur de Mailleberchie.
1600’s
Mailleberchie remained a feudal domain of the noble family of de Villedon throughout the 17th century.
The production of cognac (and later, Pineau,) takes hold in the area. Colonists leave
Mailleberchie and its châtellenie for New France (Québec).
1700’s
The barbican and enceinte, having lost their purposes, were destroyed in the 1700’s, although some
vestiges remain incorporated in the foundations of the commons buildings to the North of the château,
notably the system of vaulted cisterns deep underneath them. A small portion of a moat or other larger water reservoir along the exterior of the old
enceinte, built in the domains's extremely heavy clay, remains at the southeast of the château.
1800’s
In the second half of the century Henri and Jean de Blanc-Fontenille, acquired the domain. Henri was a medical doctor and mayor of Villebois-Lavalette. Either after a fire, or merely in order to demonstrate the new owners' wealth, the razing of most of the former main edifice took place. The planning and the
reconstruction of a more modern castle in the Neo-Medieval style was entrusted to Paul Abadie junior. Paul Abadie was a friend of the family and the architect of mostly religious structures including most notably the Sacre Coeur de Paris. The new castle of Mailleberchie was erected with the assistance
of sculptor Ernest Jordes. This project took from the mid 1800’s until completion at the turn of the century, Paul Abadie never saw
the completion of the building before his death in 1884, rather the new château was completed under the
supervision of Abadie’s disciple Edouard Warin.
1900’s
After the Franco-German War, and until the first world war, the Mailleberchie Estate was a small oasis
of international sensibility, its salons entertained the intellectual class and European and English nobility
simultaneously. It was used as a hunting villa in autumns.
During the second world war Mailleberchie once again became a border hot spot, lying between the German military
occupation to its West, and the French Vichy Territory to its East. The Germans drew the new demarcation line immediately East of
the château and made use of the château and its commons as a military commandery, with German generals
taking residence there until the end of the occupation. Reports indicate that the co-habitation with the Blanc-Fontenille family was co-operative and peaceful.
The Blanc-Fontenilles left the property soon after WWII, selling the vast domain to a farming family from the Vendée, whose priority was
the agricultural potential of the lands.
2000’s
Inhabited only sporadically as a hunting villa, the château and its surrounding village persisted in
somnolescence up until the beginning of its restoration in 2012.
In 2005 the majority of the agricultural buildings of Mailleberchie Commons were razed.
At present the domain and the château have regained use as a home and lodge. The château is used privately
and it is also the occasional home of a small Buddhist community. Visits by the public are not permitted. The restoration of the buildings and the parks, using authentic
materials and methods, is ongoing.
Contact:
steward@mailleberchie.com
