| Added by |
 Bart Perdieus
|
| General Description : | Chimay Castle, the castle of the princes of Chimay, is an ancient stronghold which some documents suggest may be as old as the year 1000. Through the years the medieval bastion became a fortress. In the 15th century the castle was altered: five new towers were linked by corridors to the keep to increase its defensive potential. The castle has been diminished by many wars, looters and pillagers. Finally, in 1935 a fire destroyed much of what was left, including many irreplaceable works of art. Initially, writings relate the presence of the town of Chimay in the 11th century, even if we consider that this urban settlement existed from the 9th century. Count an act dating from 1065 and 1070 reveals the presence of Gauthier de Chimay. The strategic position of crossing White Water is a logical explanation for the establishment of an important family on the promontory. If the history of the castle of Chimay is rather vague during the Middle Ages, Chimay branch became extinct in 1226. Land then pass under the domination of the Counts of Soissons until 1317. Then the castle of Chimay is in turn owned by the County of Hainaut, then of Blois. In 1445 it was bought by John II of Croÿ Philip the Good. Jean II de Croy was exiled and then pardoned by Charles I in 1446, which allows descendants of the line of Croÿ lead the new county of Chimay. The climax of the story is reached in the early 15th century. Indeed, in 1486, Maximilian of Austria erected Chimay in the Principality. Unfortunately, the waves of invading Austrian and French successive undermine the citadel. . |
| Face value | 4 Francs |
| Catalog code (Michel) | BE 1745 |
| Catalog code | Stamp Number BE 852 Yvert et Tellier BE 1686 Stanley Gibbons BE 2329 AFA number BE 1756 Belgium BE 1693 Unificato BE 1686 |
| Stamp colour | black olive / blue green |
| Stamp use | Commemorative stamp |
| Print run | 7.051.477 |
| Issue date | 24/11/1973 |
| Designer | Herman Verbaere / J. Malvaux |
| Print technique | recess |
| Perforation | comb 13 |
| Height | 26.00 mm |
| Width | 41.00 mm |
| Catalog prices | No catalog prices set yet |
