TRAVEL THE WORLD - FRANCHIMONT CASTLE, BELGIUM

The castle was built in the 11th Century and belonged to the Prince Bishop of Liege until around 1500. During this period, the chief official of the castle was one of my ancestors. We spent an hour or so in 2008 looking around, trying to visualize the layout and functions of the castle.

LIFE OF MY FATHER, JOHN DARIMONT - 2

ROOTS

The Darimont family had its origins in Wallonia, in the eastern part of French-speaking Belgium at Arimont near Malmedy. The first written mention of the family that we know of is recorded at Stavelot Abbey where records show Arimont as one of the Abbey's possessions in the late 12th Century. By the 14th Century, the family had moved north to Jalhay. The family name was originally Arimont (possibly meaning arid mountain), then d'Arimont and, finally, Darimont. The photo shows the family coat of arms.