Claville-Motteville

The Le Bègue de Germiny Family: An Epic Journey Between Normandy and Lorraine

Of the lineages that have shaped the history of the Seine-Inférieure, the Le Bègue de Germiny family holds a place of distinction. This house, whose nobility dates back at least to 1343, represents a singular trajectory, linking its Norman roots to a brilliant political ascent in Lorraine before returning to establish itself as a pillar of the local gentry in Claville-Motteville.

Norman Roots in the Service of the Dukes of Lorraine As early as the 14th century, Thomas Le Bègue, Lord of Hannerville, is recorded in the registers of the Normandy Chamber of Accounts. However, it was in the 16th century that the family’s destiny shifted eastwards. François Le Bègue, known as Pistor, a captain in the French service, settled in Lorraine following his marriage in 1545. His descendants became indispensable servants to the Dukes of Lorraine. Jean Pistor Le Bègue (who died in 1645) distinguished himself as a State Councillor and Minister of Finance, a role his heirs occupied for several generations. The lineage's prestige culminated in 1724, when Joseph Le Bègue was created Count of the Holy Roman Empire and of Germiny by Duke Léopold, in recognition of his eminent diplomatic services during the treaties of Ryswick and Utrecht.

Matrimonial Alliances and the Acquisition of Gouville The symbolic return to Normandy was achieved through a prestigious matrimonial alliance. In 1747, Antoine François Le Bègue married Françoise de Sales de Thyremois de Sacy, who was the heiress through her mother of the powerful Langlois de Motteville family. Upon the death of the Countess de Moy in 1779, their son, Gabriel Jacques Antoine Raoul Le Bègue de Germiny, inherited the land and lordship of Claville-Motteville. The family’s influence expanded further on 1st July 1784, when Count Raoul purchased the château and fief of Gouville from the Marquise de Joyeuse for the sum of 160,000 livres. At that time, the name Motteville remained so influential that the parish was officially named Claville-Motteville.

The Revolutionary Ordeal: A Pact of Loyalty with the Inhabitants The French Revolution nearly broke this ascent. In 1793, Count Raoul and his wife were imprisoned as "suspects". Whilst the guillotine loomed, the population of Claville-Motteville displayed exceptional loyalty: a petition, signed by almost every inhabitant, was sent repeatedly to testify to the lord’s benevolence. This popular plea saved the Count’s life. Although his assets were confiscated and sold as "national property," he managed to buy them back after his release. Upon his death in 1818, he left behind the memory of a truly "gentle" lord.

A Dynasty of Great State Servants in the 19th Century The 19th century saw the Germinys shine at the pinnacle of the French administration. Henri Charles de Germiny (1778–1843), a Peer of France and Prefect, administered the estate after his father. His son, Charles Gabriel de Germiny (1799–1871), led a dazzling financial career: as a Senator, Minister of Finance, and Governor of the Bank of France, he worked tirelessly to rebuild the family fortune. The family's more recent history is marked by the return of Count Adrien de Germiny (1826–1922). As Treasurer-Paymaster General, he repurchased the Château of Gouville, which his father had previously been forced to sell. Under his guidance, Gouville became an "enchanted residence": he created a four-hectare artificial lake, magnificent greenhouses, and an innovative fish farming system.

Uninterrupted Communal Commitment Beyond their social prestige, the family maintained a constant commitment to the community. Several members of the family served successively in the mayor's office, notably Count Adrien in 1889 and his descendants throughout the 20th century. Through their generous donations to the church, such as the recasting of the bells in 1876, the Germinys remained the guardians of a heritage where nobility of name was matched by a profound dedication to the public good. Today, their graves in the Claville-Motteville churchyard serve as a reminder of the indelible mark left by this illustrious lineage.