Three Counts

Three counts
Henri I, Godefroid and Henri II were the first names of the three Counts of La Roche who lived at the castle. These 12th-century noblemen were all descended from the family of the Counts of Namur, to whom La Roche belonged. Although the title of Count of La Roche was still used in later times, the count no longer occupied the castle, as did Antoine, the Great Bastard of Burgundy, son of Philip the Good, who died in 1504. At the castle, a provost represented the count and had all the count's administrative, judicial and financial powers. Often, the provost combined his paid office with that of tax collector and gruyer, i.e. the agent responsible for administering the forests. Originally, the office of provost was temporary and revocable, but over time it became hereditary and veritable dynasties of provosts emerged.