Claville-Motteville

The de La Londe du Thil Family: A Pillar of the Caux Gentry

At the heart of the hamlet of Thil, in Claville-Motteville, resides a lineage whose history is woven into the very fabric of the region: the de La Londe du Thil family,. Originally from Lower Normandy, specifically the environs of Caen, this family established themselves in Claville long before other great seignorial houses, marking the territory through their public and social commitment.

An Ascent in the Service of the State The 18th century illustrates the success of this line within the upper echelons of the administration. Pierre Romain Delalonde (1746–1791) personified this elite: a Counsellor to the King, he held the prestigious posts of controller and guard at the Rouen Mint, whilst also serving as the Swedish vice-consul,. His son, Charles Louis de La Londe du Thil, became a central figure in communal life following the Revolution. Mayor of Claville-Motteville from 1828 to 1848, he was also the dedicated President of the Cailly Agricultural Society, where he championed rural economic progress,,. His sense of duty and benevolence led his contemporaries to describe him as a "Man of Goodness",.

Local and Spiritual Roots The family owns the land of Thil, where the meticulously restored residence stands amidst a radiant flower garden. Beyond their estate, the de La Londe family participated actively in the life of the parish. Although they remained apart from church affairs for a long time, they joined the vestry (conseil de fabrique) in 1821 and became generous benefactors. Their burials, located within the Chapel of the Magi in the church, bear witness to this spiritual and historical attachment to the local sanctuary,,.

An Identity Etched in Stone The family’s history is also reflected in the evolution of their name. Following a judgment by the Rouen civil court in 1840, the surname "Delalonde" was officially corrected to be written in three words: "de la Londe", asserting an identity more consistent with their roots,.

Today, as Louis de La Londe and his sisters, Henriette and Constance, still occupy the Thil property, the family continues to embody a nobility of heart and action. Through their charitable deeds and constant presence, they remain one of the three pillars of the commune, alongside the great estates of Claville and Gouville.