Eu

Normandy, France

 

The County of Eu was created in 996 by Duke Richard I of Normandy for his illegitimate son Geoffrey, Count of Brionne.

In 1050, William Duke of Normandy, the future William the Conqueror and king of England, married Mathilde, the daughter of the Count de Flanders at the chapel of the castle in Eu.  The chapel is the only part of this castle which still remains today.

In 1180, Lawrence O'Toole, the archbishop of Dublin and papal legate fell ill at Eu on his way to meet King Henry II of England.  He died there, he was beatified in 1186, and canonised in 1225.  St Lawrence is the patron saint of the town, and has given his name to the collegiate church (Notre-Dame et Saint Laurent) where part of his reliquaries are preserved.

 

         

Copyright © Mrs Margaret C. Manning 2004
Update September 2008