 Barbarian invasions forced residents to raise the walls and make Lectoure a stronghold for centuries.The town became the capital city of the Earldom of Armagnac, ruled by a powerful family descended from the ancient Dukes of Gascony, who held court at Lectoure.Enemies of the French crown under many pretexts, allies of the English, plotters and traitors, the Armagnacs were eventually eliminated by King Louis XI and the city was largely destroyed.