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The name "Dinan" comes from two Celtic words: "Dun" (hill, height suitable for defense) and "Ahna" protective goddess of alive and guardian of deaths. The first appearance of the name "Dinan" in a document goes back to 1040. As of this time, there is a castle, builds on a mound, as the tapestry of Bayeux attests it. It overhangs the valley of Rancid and protects a borough formed around the port, the point of railway crossing river and terrestrial way. The population grows more quickly on the plate, around the castle. In 1123, the city is divided into two parishes: Saint-Malo and Saint-Sauveur. In this XIIème century, Idrisi, an Arab traveller, evokes girded city a "of stone walls". Actually, it acted with the obviousness of a rudimentary fence. Indeed, the true enclosure will be built only after 1283, date which marks the taking possession of the city by the duke of Brittany, Jean Ier the Russet-red one. Consequently, an era of prosperity opens for the city. It represents the keystone of the defense of the dukes and is essential like a major commercial place. The presence of religious convents (1232: Dominican or Jacobins; 1247-49: Franciscains or Cordeliers) testifies to its economic dynamism. The situation is degraded starting from the war of succession of Brittany (1341-1364). Dinan takes the party of Charles of Blois to which Bertrand of Guesclin belongs which defends the city against the English troops in 1357. It is at the time of this seat that the combat of of Guesclin and Thomas of Canterbury took place. Jean IV, victorious of the conflict, makes build the keep in 1380.
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