Chateau L'isle Marie, Roman Conquest

The Chateau

 Julius Caesar conquered the area, that until that moment has been part of Gaul, in 56 BC.

They Gauls were many different Celts tribes that inhabited this area, however, during the Iron Age, their different cultures started to mingle and become one tribe. The Greeks and Romans called all these nations Celts or Gauls.

Anyway, this Celtic area became the Roman province of Gallia Lugdunensis Secunda. Julius Cesar established his capital at Rotomagus, which today is the city of Rouen. The Romans founded many cities and built many roads. Actually, the road that we still use today going to Portbail has been built by the Romans.  Even that now it looks just like any other paved road.

Julius Caesar wanted to invade Romania because of its riches in precious metals. However, the Romans were afraid that Germany was going to invade the Gauls, as they already had crossed Switzerland toward France, crossing Romans territories. And if the Germans were able to conquer the Gauls, they would have a better advantage to also conquer Rome, and this was unacceptable.

Julius Caesar saw this as an opportunity to impress the Senate, so he embarked toward Gaul territory, and after he defeated the Germans and the Gauls submitted to Rome, he returned to Rome victorious.

Under the Roman rules, its inhabitants became Christianized in the 3^rd and 4^th centuries. Saint Mellon became the first bishop of Rouen in 260.

The Romans left in the 4^th century when the Franks, a group of Germanic tribes started invading the region and subsequently conquered the area in the 5^th century.

In 486 the area became part of the Frankish Merovingian kingdom of Neustria under King Clovis, until the 9^th century when the Vikings arrived.

They called this area Neustria, meaning that Neustria was the new (French neuf; German neu) area colonized by the Franks since their settlement in northern Gaul. Neustria was the western kingdom while Austrasia was the eastern kingdom. And the castle was situated in Neustria.

There are no ruins left from the roman’s times, so no pictures from that era.

And it is from the word "Franks" that France derives its name.

All the dining room chairs have their coat of arm on them

Look at that gorgeous face

Twilight

. 

Next post: The Viking

Chateau de L'Isle Marie, La Mancha, Normandy, France

Chateau de L'Isle Marie, my home for the next month.

The history of this place is the reason I am volunteering here.

Actually, after the house sit in Puget-Théniers, I wanted to go to a vegetarian/yoga place to see if I can lose some of the weight I gained there. However, when I saw the post for the chateau and its history, I have to come here, and I am so glad I did. The place is magnificent. The chateau and the areas surrounding are breathtaking.

            Just in case you don’t know the nobility rankings.

The Chateau

            King, Queen

Prince, Princess

Duke, Duchess

Marquess, Marchioness

Earl, Countess

Viscount, Viscountess

Baron, Baroness

Lord, Lady

Knight

Earls D'Aigneaux 

The castle has been in the Earls D’Aigmeaux Family for the last 800 years. However, the history of this area and this spot started long before.

This area has been inhabited since the paleolithic times, and it has been invaded by many tribes and countries all through the centuries.
From the Romans to the Vikings, to the Germans in WWII. In the next weeks, I will be posting about all the invasions and occupations.

Entry hall

Side view of the grounds

Next post: The Roman Times.

The Rite of Wands by Mackenzie Flohr

One boy…one Rite… And a world of deadly secrets that could change the course of history—forever.

And so begins the tale of Mierta McKinnon. When a horrible fate reveals itself during his Rite of Wands ceremony, he must find a way to change not only his destiny but also the land of Iverna’s.

Forbidden from revealing the future he foresees to anyone, he is granted a wand and his magical powers, but still must master the realm of magic in order to save himself and those he loves.

But Mierta is not the only one with secrets…especially when it’s impossible to know who to trust.

Mackenzie is the author of the popular young adult fantasy series The Rite of Wands. 

A storyteller at heart, she loves to inspire the imagination. 

Mackenzie makes her home in Michigan, where she is currently penning her next adventure.

You can follow her on her publisher's page at:

http://www.bhcpress.com/Author_Mackenzie_Flohr.html

http://www.mackenzieflohr.com

A me day

Every once in a while, it is nice to pamper ourselves, and today was the day for me.

I have been having a bad couple of days for something out of my control.

It has been raining, and it’s very cold, gray and dark, and I am bored out of my mind being stuck in the house with nothing to do.

I am sick and tired of this weather, and it is making me irritable, that for the last couple of days I could not even put up with myself.

And as I said in my book “Fulfill your Dreams” you are only entitled to couple days of self-pity.

Two days.

That is all you are allowed.

Well, my two days are up.

Today I colored my hair, did a coffee body scrub, a face mask, and a manicure.

 

It is amazing how a little pampering can lift your spirit. I feel great, my skin feels and looks great, and my roots are cover.

It still raining but right now I don’t yet care much.

https://www.amazon.com/Fulfill-Your-Dreams-Cristina-Grau/

Our Souls at Night

I just finished watching “Our Souls at Night” with Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, directed by Ritesh Batra, and what a lovely bittersweet movie it is.

The movie shows the loneliness that afflicts many older people. It depicts two neighbors, a widow and a widower forming a friendship that evolves into love, leaving their loneliness behind.

The plot is a little slow, however, because Fonda and Redford are great together and they still have great chemistry, and they play the characters in such a straightforward and natural way, you root for them.

A special mention to Iain Armitage, he is excellent.

Great movie, I recommend it.