The Castle of La-Roche-en-Ardenne
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Situated in the Belgian Ardennes, the Castle of La Roche has a history that dates back to the Celtic Era.
From some point in history till 57 b.C. there stood a ‘Oppidium’ on top of the rock. It was built by a nobleman who led a part of the Belgae tribe “The Trevieren”.
But in 57 b.C. the Romans triumphed over the Belgae after a long and devastating war. Julius Caesar lost a few legions in that war. They were ambushed by the Eburonen led by Ambiorix.
And the ‘Oppidium’ fell in the hands of the Romans who tore it down and placed a fortress in it’s stead.
When the Franks took over control of the Belgae Province, they took the fortress after a long siege and for a few hundred years it was left in ruin.
But in the IX century a nobleman called Sereman who was vassal of Charlemagne built a fortress on top of the Roman foundations.
The Lords of La Roche became powerful and many lesser nobles flocked to their banner for protection and funds. The Lords themselves were in the later Middle-Ages vassals of the Counts of Luxembourg, the Counts of Namen, the Dukes of Lothier, …
Also they played a very important role in a quarrel between the Counties Flanders and Henegouwen concerning heritage rights (+- 14th century).
So it’s not a surprise that the castle has survived many sieges.
In the 16th-17th-18th century it was the setting of constant wars between Holland, Spain, Austria and France. During that time the French engineer Candeur extended the Battlements, dug a water reservoir and lay a 2nd terrace.
During the French revolution, The Southern Netherlands were again overrun, and there were plans to restore the castle and use it as a prison but they were never executed.
In the years after the Battle of Waterloo the castle was neglected and changed into a ruin and a quarry for farmers and villagers of La Roche.
Now the castle is partly restored and it can be visited by tourists. When you look at it from the outside… then you still see the pride and greatness of the Medieval times
The map that I’ve made is based upon a Medieval Ground plan of the city walls and castle…
More information and pictures can be found on a document inside. It is an Invasion Map. I made it very easy, but please adjust it if you want it.
This is my first submission, I hope that you like it.
Together with a Friend of mine I have started with a map of the Gravensteen in Ghent (see Castles of the Week)
Playability: 3
The map played fine, with no glitches, but the time frame between the opening sequence and the first invasion is just way too long. This really became boring waiting for the enemy to come. If there had maybe been some economic goals during that time, it would have been okay. But since this was basically a seige map, the invasions needed to be scripted closer together, and more of them to make things more interesting.
Balance: 3
Since this was basically a seige, no options to build or recruit troops needed to be available. By the time the invasion finally came, I had built up an inconquerable force in defense.
Creativity: 4
The castle was very well thought out and designed, and the layout of the industries was very good.
Map Design: 3
The map was fine, although there could have been a little more detail given to the terrain and the landscape.
Story/Instructions: 2
Good description page, but no in map story or minimap.