The citadel was founded in 1258 and soon became a key commercial town of 2,000 inhabitants. In the 17th century, the Duke of Lorraine
Charles IV lost all his possessions to
cardinal Richelieu except La Mothe. In 1634, the citadel withstood a siege of 141 days before it surrendered on 26 July 1634. La Mothe was given back to the Duke in 1641. It was besieged three more times: 25 July - 30 August 1642, December 1642 - May 1643 and the last, begun by
Mazarin, on 4 December 1644. After 205 days of resistance the city surrendered on 1 July 1645. Contrary to the agreement, Mazarin destroyed not only the fortifications, but the entire city. This period was always a painful memory in
Lorraine. French authorities, conscious of this, divided as
France into its departments so that La Mothe forms a projection of
Haute-Marne. This removed a brusque reminder of French triumph from Lorraine. The ruins were classified as an "
historical monument" in 1923 and large-scale restoration work was undertaken. ==External links==