Timelines

c. 1025 - 1030
Mentions of the port, the market and of a fair in Caen in the dukes of Normandy's deeds.

c. 1047
The victorious battle of Val-es-Dunes establishes William the Bastard as duke of Normandy. Peace council at Caen.

c. 1060
Construction work on Caen Castle begins.

c. 1120
Construction of the keep and the Exchequer Hall by Henry I Beauclerc.

1182
Grand Christmas court in the aula at Caen Castle (the Exchequer Hall). Henry II, and his sons, Richard the Lionheart and John Lackland entertain over 1000 knights.

1204
Caen surrenders without a fight to King Philip Augustus of France. Normandy is annexed to the royal domain.

c. 1210 
Construction of an enclosure with four round towers, the Porte des Champs and the two round towers, Tour Puchot and Tour Mathilde.

1256
Visit to Caen by St Louis.

1346
Siege and looting of the town of Caen by King Edward III of England. The castle remains impregnable.

1417
Siege and capture of Caen by King Henry V of England. The castle capitulates.

1450
Caen surrenders to the king of France, Charles VII, after a 15 day siege.

1531
Francis I stays at Caen Castle.

12 sept. 1603
Henry IV stays at Caen Castle.

1620
Siege of Caen Castle by Louis XIII.

8 june 1793
Romme and Prieur, deputies of the Convention, are held at Caen Castle. Accordingly, the Montagnards, the victors of the federalist insurrection, order the destruction of the keep.

1811
Passing through Caen, Napoleon envisages the total destruction of the Castle.

1876
The 36th Infantry Regiment garrisoned. A first battalion building, where the keep used to be, is completed in 1877.

june-august 1944
The castle is hit during the bombing of Caen.

1956-1966
Archaeological work led by Michel de Boüard.

dec. 1963
The Musée de Normandie is opened to the public in the former Governor’s Lodge.

june 1970
The Musée des Beaux-Arts is opened to the public.

1998
Launch of studies for the developmant plan to preserve and enhance Caen Castle.