Great figures

Some of the great figures who played a role in the history of Casteljaloux 

Jean-Francois Samazeuilh

 He was born in Casteljaloux 16th of August 1790 and married with Marie-Estelle Salenave 12th of February 1817. They had two children. He died on the 4th of November 1875. He became bachelor of law in 1812. Passionately fond of theatre, archaeology and history, he took part in numerous excavations in 1859 and wrote about 30 books among which "L' histoire de l' Agenais, du Condomois, et du Bazadais" and "La monographie de Samazeuilh".

Jean Baptiste Brostaret

He was born in Casteljaloux the 24th of June 1755. He was called to the Parliament of Bordeaux as a barrister in 1782 while exercising the same job in his birthplace. Thanks to his talent, he became one of the holders of the lists of Grievances of the Nérac's third estate with Brunet and Latuque. He took part in 20 meetings of the Constituent Assembly. In 1807, after various political unpleasant aftertastes, he asked for an Italian passport. He embarked with a device for distilling brandies. As mentioned on his passports, the politician stepped aside the merchant. He definitely came back to Casteljaloux where he died in 1829.

Le Caporal La Bigorne

His real name was Jean Onésime Filet. He owned an inn on the embankment of the Avance river but in April 1740, he embarked as a volunteer towards the French islands. He signed his enlistment on an anvil also called "bigorne" (two-beaked anvil): this is the explanation of his nickname. In 1746, he was commissioned lance corporal and wounded two times. He soon recovered but had to escape quickly from the island of Bourbon following love affairs. His ship stranded on the eastern coast of Madagascar where he was given a home by Béti, the daughter of the king Ratsimilao. Once this one died, he became prince consort. But did he become king in his turn? No one really knows it. Nevertheless, he undoubtedly was one of the precursors of great pioneers. He died in 1773 and according to the customs in the island, he was buried in the land of Hovas.

Agripa d'Aubigné

He was a war figure, but a poet, a historian, a Hellenist and a Calvinist as well. When he was 16 years old, he takes control and distinguishes himself by serving in the armed forces of the Prince de Condé before becoming the armour-bearer and even the confessor of Henri IV. In the historical background of the wars of religion with the Protestants fighting against the Catholics, Henri IV and Agripa d'Aubigné spent all their time together during 15 years. Challenging the catholic military leader Lavardin to a duel, d' Aubigné came into exile in Casteljaloux. In 1577, he agreed to become the lieutenant of the town with Monsieur de la Vachonnière. Following another fight, he was seriously wounded and started to dictate from his bed the first chapters of the "Tragiques" which were published in 1616. He died in 1620 in Genève after he left Henri IV in 1593.