The construction of Joinville Castle in 1027 by Steven van Vaux marks the origins of the principality. This castle was built on the Haute Butte, a hill overlooking a meander of the Marne. In the Middle Ages, the lords of Joinville were among the most important in the Champagne region. Under François de Guise, Joinville was elevated to a…
The construction of Joinville Castle in 1027 by Steven van Vaux marks the origins of the principality. This castle was built on the Haute Butte, a hill overlooking a meander of the Marne. In the Middle Ages, the lords of Joinville were among the most important in the Champagne region. Under François de Guise, Joinville was elevated to a principality by Henry II in 1552. Since Stephen of Vaux, Joinville has always had a lord or lady. The principality was successively owned by the houses of Joinville, Lorraine and Orléans.
During the 12th century, Joinville developed on the banks of the Marne around the Church of Notre-Dame. In 1163, the collegiate church of Saint-Laurent was built. This became the burial church of the lords of Joinville. In 1258, Joinville was granted a town charter. Joinville also acquired a city wall. Joinville benefited from its position on the border between France and the Holy Roman Empire. The city was besieged by the army of Emperor Charles V in 1544 and went up in flames. Claude of Lorraine began the reconstruction. In 1552, King Henry II made the Dukes of Guise princes of Joinville. In addition to the feudal castle on the hilltop, a new Renaissance castle was built on the banks of the Marne, the Château du Grand Jardin. New Renaissance-style buildings also appeared in the town. Furthermore, a hospital and two monasteries were established.
In 1791, Louis Philippe II of Orléans was lord of Joinville. That year, he sold the dilapidated feudal castle, which was subsequently demolished.[4]