 Inside the city walls, the castle, itself protected by wide moats and equipped with a keep and twelve towers, was south-east of the city.Outside and to the south of the city walls, the suburb along the Divette was frequented by sailors.Cherbourg was not affected by the wind of the Reformation that divided Normandy, consolidated and heavily guarded by , Henry III thanked his defense against the troops of Montgomery, as lieutenant-general of Normandy and Governor of Cherbourg in 1578, and then marshal the following year.