 It was intended to defend the Anglo-Norman Vexin territory from the pretensions of the King of France.King William II of England ordered Robert of Bellême to build the first castle at Gisors.Henry I of England built the octagonal stone keep surmounting the motte; his work at Gisors was part of a programme of royal castle building in Normandy during his reign to secure the region against the aspirations of the French crown.