[1] In the 12th century there was a fort at Surpetra, though whether that was at the current castle site or another nearby location is unknown.

In the 13th century the de Cossonay family owned Surpierre and a number of surrounding villages.

[3] In 1536 the cantons of Bern, Fribourg and Valais invaded Vaud and defeated the Savoyard forces.

On 21 February 1536 Surpierre was captured by Bern, who then gave it to Fribourg on 1 March, creating a small exclave.

In 1544 the castle was damaged in a fire, and the Fribourg authorities decided to rebuild it from its medieval design into an imposing government center and a comfortable home for the bailiff.