Last modified: 2024-04-27 by olivier touzeau
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Flag of La Forest-Landerneau - Image by Olivier Touzeau, 17 December 2021
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La Forest-Landerneau (Breton, Ar Forest-Landerne; 1,962 inhabitants in 2020; 921 ha) is a commune in the department of Finistère.
The commune is famous for its medieval castle, now in ruins, the Joyeuse Garde, which, according to Arthurian legend, was conquered by Lancelot du Lac. Historically, the castle would have been built in the 13th century by the younger branch of the County of Leon and served as a residence for the lords. Today the castle belongs to the Rohan family.
Olivier Touzeau, 16 December 2021
The flag of the commune is a banner of arms, which can be spotted inside the city hall (photo, photo).
The coat of arms is blazoned: Quarterly 1. Gules 9 mascles Or, 3, 3, 3. 2. Or an oak eradicated Sable leaved Vert. 3. Or a vessel Sable sailed Argent. 4. Gules 9 ermine spots Argent 4, 3, 2.
Olivier Touzeau, 17 December 2021
The mural crown recalls the castle of the Joyeuse Garde. The oak symbolizes the forest after which the municipality was named. The mascles represent the house of Rohan. The ermine spots represent Brittany. The ship symbolize the municipality's maritime domain. The colors were selected arbitrarily. [source : Municipal website]
The castle of the Joyeuse Garde, aka Goelet-Forest, was a matter of legends. The local tradition reports that it was built in the 6th century by King Arthur. The Viscount of Rohan wrote in 1479 about the castle of Goelforest "in which King Arthus had his residence and invited the Knights of the Round Table for jousts, turnaments and exploits. King Arthus is the direct ancestor of the Viscounts lords of Léon as it is well-known there and in the country". Albert the Great reports that St. Ténénan (6th-7th century) built the church of Gouëlet-Forest near the castle, which was renamed after the joy caused to the guards by the arrival of the monk.
The castle was first mentioned in a record dated 1411, which reports that a ship raided by the soldiers of Hervé V de Léon (d. 1304) was brought to the manor of Goueslet-Forest. The parish of Goelet/ Goëllo-Forest was documented in 1330.
During the War of the Succession of Brittany, chroniclers Jean Le Bel and Jean Froissart report the attack of the castle of Goy-La-Forêt. The approximate description of the place, however, precludes sure identification with Goelet-Forest although the castle, located close to Brest, might have been involved in some fighting. In June-July 1341, Jean de Montfort seized several fortresses to stop the advance of his rival, Charles de Blois. Helped by Hervé VII de Léon, he occupied without fighting the castle of Goy-La-Forêt. This report is dubious since the Viscount of Léon already owned the castle of the Joyeuse Garde; A. de la Borderie believes that Goy-la-Forêt was indeed another place, La Forêt en Grandchamp. Hervé de Léon subsequently took the party of Charles de Blois; he was captured by Gauthier de Mauny in the manor of Proléac'h (Trégarentec), who seized the castle of Goy-La-Forêt after a violent assault. Heading to Hennebont, Mauny abandoned the castle that was soon re-occupied by Gérard de Malain on behalf of Charles de Blois. A English fleet commanded by Robert d'Artois landed in Brest on 18 August 1342 and lift the siege of the town by French troops. Withdrawing to Morlaix, the French evacuated the castle of Goule Forest, taking with them the food reserves.
In 1479, the Viscount of Rohan described the castle as "a big and honorable building". In 1470, Jean II de Rohan took the French party; as a retaliation, Duke of Brittany Francis II confiscated all his castles, La Joyeuse Garde included. The remains of the ruined castle were acquired in 1571 by Troilus de Mengouez, who usurped the title of Baron de Joyeuse Garde, causing the restitution of the castle to Henri de Rohan in 1578.
Transformed into a farm, the last visible remains of the castle soon disappeared. Excavations initiated in 1967 allowed the localization of the foundations of four rooms, three towers and a cellar. [source : Municipal website]
Ivan Sache, 19 May 2022