En un regard
Le château en bref
The Château d'Olivet, in the Grimbosq forest (Calvados), is an earth-and-timber fortification from the first half of the 11th century, consisting of a central motte flanked by two baileys. Founded by Erneis Taisson, whose elder brother Ralph II, lord of Mutrécy, rallied to Duke William at the Battle of Val-ès-Dunes (1047), the site ceased to be occupied mainly in the 12th century, with the exception of its southern bailey, which survived until the mid-13th century. In the 14th century, the estate became a barony under the Tournebu family. Excavations carried out between 1975 and 1978 by Michel de Boüard and Joseph Decaëns uncovered a belfry tower, a noble bailey with a lord's residence and chapel, and a utilitarian bailey with a forge, together with objects attesting an aristocratic occupation (spurs, arrowheads, backgammon pieces, and glazed pottery rattles for children).