GRANDSON (Ger. Grandsee), a
town in the Swiss canton of Vaud, near the south-western end of
the Lake of Neuchatel, and by rail 20 m. S. W. of Neuchatel and
3 m. N. of Yverdon. Its population in 1900 was 1771, mainly
French-speaking and Protestant. Its ancient castle was long the
home of a noted race of barons, while in the very old church
(once belonging to a Benedictine monastery) there are a number
of Roman columns, &c., from Avenches and Yverdon. It has now a
tobacco factory. Its lords were vassals of the house of Savoy,
till in 1475 the castle was taken by the Swiss at the beginning
of their war with Charles the Bold, duke of Burgundy, whose ally
was the duchess of Savoy. It was retaken by Charles in February
1476, and the garrison put to death. The Swiss hastened to
revenge this deed, and in a famous battle (2nd March 1476)
defeated Charles with great loss, capturing much booty. The
scene of the battle was between Concise and Corcelles,
north-east of the town, and is marked by several columns,
perhaps ancient menhirs. Grandson was thenceforward till 1798
ruled in common by Berne and Fribourg, and then was given to the
canton du Leman, which in 1803 became that of Vaud.
