Roger de
Leyburn
the man who left his name to Libourne
After having painted the city of
Libourne in the colors of my heart through my works, my illustrations, my
strolls, I wanted to offer it an exceptional present which closes a literary
cycle of ten years since “Libourne Eternelle”, “Libourne, Genèse d’une bastide”,
“La Sainte Chapelle de Libourne” and finally “La Sainte Epine de Libourne”.
In 2012, I embarked for England in
the footsteps of Roger de Leyburn.
I followed him step by step through
extraordinary archival documents, improbable encounters but especially
discoveries that I could not keep jealously ...
I met Bob Ulph, the Mayor of
Leybourne, and Val and Alan Albert, the current owners of Roger de Leyburn
Castle, who warmly welcomed me to share our knowledge of the man who forever
unites our two cities ...
This book is the synthesis of all
these meetings, the consecration of years of research, the fruit of a close
collaboration between residents of Libourne, in Aquitaine and residents of
Leybourne in Kent County. Nicknamed the Garden of England, this verdant
province was once the starting point for major crossings.
It was here that Roger de Leyburn was
born in Leybourne Castle, where I had the chance to spend a few days. This
formidable warrior was at first the fierce defender of the cause of the English
barons before becoming the best friend of King Henry III of England and his son
Edward. Knight loyal and faithful, he followed them in all their travels across
the Channel before being named, at the height of his glory, Lieutenant of the
King in Aquitaine and Ambassador of the city of Libourne to which he offered
his name...
It is this extraordinary story that I
invite you to discover, this path strewn with pitfalls that led the young Roger
de Leyburn from the darkness of his youth to the light of a destiny out of the
ordinary...
Camille Desveaux
You can order the book online (price 17€) :
(Illustrations and photos of the book
were made by Camille Desveaux)
Wishing you a beautiful discovery!
Camille
