We were a little puffed by the climb up to the remains of the walls and the town gates, so I encouraged the guys to take a rest while I discreetly read the information boards, so I could sound a lot more knowledgeable about the history of the town than I actually was! We are there if you look hard.
As we took advantage of our high viewpoint across the bay, I was able to reveal that we were looking at the same view as William the Conqueror had, as he looked out to sea before sailing off to England in 1066. Were we able to travel back in time, we would have seen his fleet assembled just below us.
I tried not to take the moral highground as I imparted the news that the English had not been very kind to St Valery in medieval times. They had destroyed the abbey and cloister in order to strengthen the nearby St Valery castle.
The fact that most captured my imagination though was that in 1431, Joan of Arc, captive of the English, was held prisoner in a local cell, from where she was conveyed to Rouen and burnt at the stake.
We weren't sure exactly where the cell she stayed in was, but it must have been close. We knew we were in the right spot for one of the gates she passed through, as there was a big plaque on the side telling us all about her.
Can you see me hanging from the gate? As I read the plaque, I noticed that Joan had passed through this gate on 20th December; somehow I don't think she had a very happy Christmas.
Lots of love Gilbert & co xxx
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