Heeswijk Castle ( Dutch : Kasteel Heeswijk ) is a moated castle near Heeswijk in the Dutch province of North Brabant .
56-539: Heeswijk Castle was built on a meander of the small River Aa . The 20th century canalized Aa now flows at some distance of the Castle. However, in the early decades of the 21st century the original bed of the Aa closer to the castle, was restored and now gets enough water. The Aa was crucial for transporting heavy goods between 's-Hertogenbosch and Helmond , and perhaps even somewhat higher upstream. This gave an economic reason to build
112-512: A 1359 act Wenceslaus I, Duke of Luxembourg and his wife Joanna, Duchess of Brabant declared that Heeswijk and half of Dinther were within Brabant, but that Jan van Benthem had joined the war against County of Flanders voluntarily. That is, his goods were allod , i.e. not on loan from anybody. (The other half of Dinther was owned by Jan van Berlaer, Lord of Helmond). Such a voluntary involvement did create enemies, and in 1371 and 1372 Heeswijk Castle
168-498: A Republican garrison of 20 men under Jaques de Wale. The mighty fortress 's-Hertogenbosch finally joined the Spanish side in 1579. For the defense of the countryside it then had to rely on a string of castles and sconces and a few small cities. Heeswijk Castle had switched sides by the end of 1579, and was one of these. Maximilian of Ostfriesland (1553-1591?), son of Johan and Dorothea became lord of Heeswijk and Dinther in 1574. Maximilian
224-558: A bridge of the motor way A2. In 's-Hertogenbosch, the Aa is a wide canal that runs straight to the city center. After reaching the city center, the Aa flows along the northern city walls to join the Dommel just west of the Citadel of 's-Hertogenbosch . After that they continue jointly as Dieze. In 's-Hertogenbosch many rowing enthusiasts use the Aa. There are also a lot of recreational boats lying around. Fishermen and swimmers are regularly found on
280-737: A conflict which ended with the Duchess paying a ransom for him. In 1405 Hendrick bought Heeswijk and Dinther. Hendrick became Hofmeister of John IV, Duke of Brabant . He also fought for his master, and was a member of the Illustrious Brotherhood of Our Blessed Lady in 's-Hertogenbosch. Hendrick first married Maria of Diest, which marriage remained childless. He next married Joanna of Ghistelles. Hendrick van der Lek had two daughters by Joanna of Ghistelles. The oldest, Jeanne became Lady of Heeswijk and Dinther in 1427. She married Jan van Cuyck Lord of Hoogstraten. Jeanne did without offspring in 1454 and
336-483: A few km further. The main cities and towns along the Aa's course are Asten , Helmond , Veghel and 's-Hertogenbosch. The current Aa is not as important as the former river. This is due to the Zuid-Willemsvaart, which has been dug in the drainage basin of the Aa from 1823 to 1826. The canal absorbs much of the water that would otherwise flow to the Aa. The Zuid-Willemsvaart was initially dug to be much wider than
392-561: A government office and in the German princely courts finally became equivalent to a privy counsellor or cabinet minister, and sometimes as something like the Master of the Household in the modern British royal court. A Hofmeister was also the title given to someone who acted as an adlatus or aide to his abbot in a monastery . Later a Hofmeister could also be a house-tutor , also responsible for
448-420: A term for a schoolmaster who looked after the welfare of students in addition to their education. A Hofmeister was one of the highest offices in the courts of German emperors and kings, and also existed in other princely courts and the courts of smaller dynasties. His official role was initially in the direction of the royal household and serving privately on the monarch's person. In the 15th century it became
504-491: A very decorative nineteenth-century water tower. The Pastoor Bartenbrug is now a rather modest bridge. A previous attempt to (re-)build a bridge at this place was an exceptional engineering failure in 2012–2013. Along the stretch from Heeswijk Castle to 's-Hertogenbosch the project Dynamisch Beekdal has restored much of the ecological value of the Aa. Environmental processes that were typical for brooks, like shore-erosion, shoal-forming and local fast currents had been eliminated by
560-404: Is a fine example of sixteenth century construction. It was built of alternating rows of brick and stone, creating a striped façade. It also has nice features like stepped gables and cross-windows . The bailey is surrounded a wall in the same striped façade style. The original motte-and-bailey castle was erected in 1080. The first mentioned Lord of Heeswijk was Amelricus van Heeswijk mentioned in
616-662: Is a small river in the Netherlands . It rises near Nederweert in the southeastern province of Limburg , in the Peel region. It flows northwest through the province of North Brabant towards 's-Hertogenbosch , roughly along the Zuid-Willemsvaart canal. In 's-Hertogenbosch, at the confluence of the Aa and the Dommel , the river Dieze is formed, which flows into the Meuse ( Dutch : Maas )
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#1732852180112672-469: Is often called a castle. It has a late medieval gate house, and the ruins are open to visitors. A ford over the Aa was located just north of Seldensate Manor. In 2017 many Roman coins of little value were found nearby over a larger area. It allowed archaeologist to conclude that the ford shown on a 1832 map, already existed in Roman Times. The coins were interpreted as votive offerings related to crossing
728-519: Is probably an advantage. The Heeswijk stretch of the Aa runs for about 5 km from the Kilsdonk Mill to Heeswijk Castle. It is currently under development to create an ecological connection zone, and to restore the river Aa. The Kilsdonk Mill is a rather unique combination of a windmill and a watermill. The stretch of the Aa downstream from Heeswijk Castle till the Maxima Canal is characterized by
784-416: Is to prevent flooding by slowing drainage, and by temporarily storing excess water in spill over areas. For the Aa it meant that many improvements for navigability, or to increase the speed with which it drains water downstream, had to be reverted. This was coordinated in the project 'Dynamisch Beekdal' (Dutch for dynamic brook-valley), which was executed from 2002 to 2017. The project made rigorous changes to
840-521: The Holy Roman Empire , a Hofmeister (literally "court-master" or "house-master" in German ; Latin : Magister, Praefectus curiae ; Danish : hofmester, hovmester , Swedish : hovmästare , Czech : hofmistr , Polish : ochmistrz ; French : précepteur ; Italian : precettore / istitutore ) was an official who acted as an aide to royalty or to a senior nobleman or cleric. Later it became
896-511: The european perch and common roach . As a consequence of the project, the ecological diversity of fish in the Aa had indeed been restored by 2019. Volunteers of Ravon then found 15 species of fish, among these typical brook species like the Common bleak , Stone loach , and Gudgeon . Finding the European Chub , which had been extinct locally, was the final vindication of the project. Above water
952-454: The Aa from Heeswijk Castle to 's-Hertogenbosch. It combined safety measures with measures to restore the ecology of the river. Meanwhile, the new Máxima Canal , opened in 2014, was dug straight through the bed of the Aa. The Aa was led below it, and so all navigation on the Aa east of the Maxima canal ended. In light of the intensity of recreational water traffic on the Aa in 's-Hertogenbosch, this
1008-419: The Aa, but since then its width and depth accelerated, taking ever more water from the Aa. The role of the Aa in history can only be understood by considering its former state. In the 1760s the Aa was navigable till the bridge of Erp, about 25 km from 's-Hertogenbosch. In 1839 it was still navigable till the lock of Erp . There are also reports that barges moved by poles and small boats could navigate
1064-455: The Aa. This stretch also has some cultural attractions. First of all Heeswijk Castle, which is the best known castle in North Brabant. Its position on the Aa, just upstream of 's-Hertogenbosch, explains why it was so important for such a long time. At the junction of the Aa is a building that remains from the medieval mill Ter Steen. Further downstream are the ruins of Seldensate Manor, which
1120-487: The Aa. North of the ford some foundation fragments of Kasteel ter Aa (Castle on the Aa) have been made visible. Ter Aa Castle was also more of a manor than a defensible building. Just east of 's-Hertogenbosch, the Aa meets the Maxima Canal. It does not cross the canal, but is led through tubes that run below it. This way, it is not caught up in the flow of the Zuid-Willemsvaart, which is regulated by locks. The Aa then continues under
1176-521: The Aa. On the shore, there are some recreational bicycle lanes with a rather large amount of obstacles to keep out scooters. Inside the city some cultural attractions are situated directly on the Aa. The early seventeenth-century citadel stands out. The city walls east of it are lined with modest housing. Further to the east the Hinthamereinde has the city side of the lunettes of the Muntelbolwerk, and
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#17328521801121232-578: The Counts of 's-Heerenberg by marrying Willem III van den Bergh. The property of Pieter de Bousies could did not move with his widow, but was inherited by his sisters: Margaretha, Anthonia, Johanna and Isabella. The first three sisters died as a member of a religious order. In 1485 the Count of Oettingen became lord of Heeswijk and Dinther on account of his wife being a daughter of Isabella. Cornelis of Glymes called 'De Berges' (1458-1508/1509) Lord of Zevenbergen became
1288-539: The Dutch Republic cancelled this development. When the Batavian Republic was founded in 1795, these plans were again considered. The first plan aimed to make the Aa navigable till Veghel. In June 1806 works to deepen the Aa and to dig some shortcuts were actually started. During the works, Roman coins were found at a depth of two feet four inches below the previous bed. By 1809 the construction of locks to achieve
1344-504: The Dutch Republic. In 1625 plans were made to make the Aa navigable from the Stipdonk mill at Lierop , south of Helmond to 's-Hertogenbosch. The idea was that peat and firewood from the Peel could then be moved more cheaply to 's-Hertogenbosch. In 1626 agreements were made with municipalities along the river, and in 1627 and 1628 locks were updated, and the Aa was brought to depth in some places. The 1629 conquest of 's-Hertogenbosch by
1400-617: The Dutch army then bought Heeswijk and Dinther in 1649 and became the official lord in May 1650. Matthijs later became a colonel and commander of 's-Hertogenbosch. In 1655 he gave a guarantee on Heeswijk to his creditor Geraert Maes, a jeweller from The Hague. In 1672 the French king Louis XIV stayed at Heeswijk Castle during his campaign against the Dutch Republic . Geraert Maes' widow Elisabeth Lasson became
1456-455: The Lordship of Heeswijk and Dinther in 1405. By 1409 he was dead. Knight Hendrick van der Lek (1354–1427) would become the next lord. His father was the influential John II, Lord of Polanen (c. 1325–1378). As a younger son Hendrick did not succeed to the main part of his father's estate, which included the Lordship of Breda. In 1401 he was imprisoned by the citizens of 's-Hertogenbosch. It led to
1512-459: The Maxima Canal to the Meuse. In three places, dykes are now situated at some distance from the river. These places can receive over a million m of water in case of emergency. There are some bridges exclusively for cyclists and pedestrians. No roads have been made along the Aa, so tourists walking along the water are not hindered by wheeled commuters. Canoeing is now a major recreational activity on
1568-495: The Spanish sided till the 1609 truce. Near the end of the Twelve Years' Truce (1609-1621) new rulers were appointed at Heeswijk. Werner of Ostfriesland died in 1620, and left only a bastard Maria. His sister Dorothea married lieutenant general James 't Serclaes (?-1624) older brother of Johann Tserclaes, Count of Tilly and got Jan Werner. Jan Werner 't Serclaes Count of Tilly, Bannerman of Marbaix, Lord of Montigny (?-1668) became
1624-515: The Veghel plan was estimated at 68,000 guilders. On 16 March 1810 North Brabant was annexed by France. In the end, these plans to make the Aa navigable did not lead to a very significant result. The plans for the Zuid-Willemsvaart were made for the drainage basin of the Aa. However, the idea was totally different. The previous plans aimed to develop the economy of Brabant. The plans for the Zuid-Willemsvaart wanted to improve communication between Liège and
1680-712: The Zuid-Willemsvaart, so the water situation in the Peel could be improved. This was not sufficient, and so the Aa was normalized from 1934 to 1951, meaning that it was canalized. In 1995 heavy rainfall upstream caused that the highway A2 near 's-Hertogenbosch was flooded for two weeks. In addition, there were fears that a massive evacuation would be required. One of the causes was a policy which had centered on getting rid of excess water as soon as possible, and to trust in technical measures to solve any problems. The events of 1995 changed this policy, and created focus for spillover areas, meandering, and restoration of streams and brooks. The aim
1736-450: The abolition of the feudal rights. Cornelis Jacob was succeeded by his son Abraham Florentius (1784-1840), but in 1834 the family sold their property in Heeswijk and Dinther. In 1834, Baron Andreas van den Bogaerde van Terbrugge , governor of North Brabant, bought Heeswijk Castle, which by then had fallen into disrepair. He immediately started reconstruction works on a large scale. The castle
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1792-414: The army of Maurice of Nassau appeared before Heeswijk Castle. As usual the garrison was summoned to surrender. The subsequent refusal to surrender was kind of exceptional for a castle. An assault followed, but was repealed. A few days later the castle was found to be deserted. This was not so strange, because the garrison could not expect quarter after this. In the end 's-Hertogenbosch and Heeswijk stayed on
1848-420: The canalization. As a consequence, the oxygen content of the water, the shores, and the bottom of the river had decreased in quality. The project restored many of these ecological processes. For marine life, the project created fish ladders in some places where the natural situation could not be restored. This was important because typical brook fishes had decreased and even disappeared, and had been replaced by
1904-421: The castle on the river. On the other hand, the Aa was a barrier for east–west movement, especially by armies. This also gave the castle a strategic position, which it would keep for centuries. The main castle has been built on top of an old motte . In the cellar there is a loam layer containing fragments of bog iron and tuff , remnants of the first castle. There are also 14th century wall fragments visible in
1960-407: The cellars. Here the outer walls reach a thickness of three meters. Aboveground most of the main castle is 15th and 16th century, but the semi-circular form of the older parts still betrays its motte origin. The old part has two round towers on the corners, and one old overhanging tower. The bridge leading to the inner courtyard ends on the base of a disappeared square gate tower. The big round tower,
2016-424: The cities of Holland. After the Zuid-Willemsvaart had been dug, a more industrial approach to extract peat started in the raised bog of the Peel in 1853. As a consequence, the precipitation that was previously retained by the raised bog began to flow downstream with steadily less delay. It meant that the Aa had to process much more water. Therefore, in 1927-1929 two canals were dug around Helmond, and connected to
2072-520: The death of Cornelis de Glymes most of his estate went to his sons, and finally his younger sister Maria de Glymes married to Louis de Ligne Baron of Barbançon. The Lordship of Heeswijk and Dinther first went to Cornelis' oldest son Maximilian. He was invested in December 1509. During his rule the Guelders army invaded and burned the area in 1512–1513, but did not succeed in capturing Heeswijk Castle. Maximilian
2128-515: The effects of the Dynamisch Beekdal project. In an almost contiguous strip of about 200 m wide, the Aa now meanders through the land, mostly in its original stream bed. There are also some cut off meanders present. Somewhat downstream of the castle, the brook Leijgraaf joins the Aa. Just before the Maxima Canal a new branch of the Aa, the Rosmalense Aa branches off from the Aa, and streams along
2184-414: The farm of Veerdonc and others. Johan married Dorothea of Austria (1516–1572) a bastard of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor , heiress of Falkenburg, Durbuy and Halem, lady in waiting to Queen Maria of Hungary. The Eighty Years' War reached the environs on 's-Hertogenbosch in 1572-1573 when first Gorinchem and Zaltbommel , and then Geertruidenberg joined the Dutch Republic. In 1578 Heeswijk Castle got
2240-409: The gallery connected to it, and the armory to which the gallery connects are all nineteenth century additions. This is also the case for the round tower pasted to the eastern façade. Nevertheless, the big tower was built on top of older foundation. Therefore, these additions probably did not enlarge the ground plan of the castle that much, even though they may have made it more square. The outer bailey
2296-458: The next Lord of Heeswijk and Dinther in 1621. Maria of Ostfriesland, the bastard of Werner also acceded in 1621. In 1629 Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange captured Heeswijk Castle and 's-Hertogenbosch. Maria of Ostfriesland married Hendrik van den Berg, and died in 1633. Jan Werner 't Serclaes then also succeeded to her part in 1633. He became the prime heir to his famous uncle. On 14 March 1633 Jan Werner married Maria Françoise de Montmorency, but
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2352-618: The next generation of the Tilly's would not get Heeswijk, in 1647 it was sold. On 20 April 1647 Dirk van Cattenburgh, presiding schepen of 's-Hertogenbosch and Joost van Hedickhuysen, Lord of Eckart bought the Lordship of Heeswijk and Dinther. Dirk had been schepen of 's-Hertogenbosch 1640-1643 and in 1646 he became presiding schepen. He died in 1653. Joost van Hedickhuysen was of unknown origin. He lived at close by Seldensate Manor, but died already in October 1647. Jonkheer Matthijs van Asperen, captain in
2408-690: The next lord by purchase in 1499. Cornelis fought in the Battle of Tienen in 1482. He was the Hofmeister of Philip the Fair , and became a Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1500. In 1513 Cornelis became governor of Grave. He also became lord of Melun and Grevenbroeck. He married Maria Magdalena van Strijen lady of Zevenbergen, Noordeloos, Heemskerk and Capelle aan de IJssel. All of which were added to his estate. After
2464-539: The next proprietor in 1679. In 1684 Jacobus van der Hoeven succeeded to Heeswijk. He married Agatha Briel, related to the Van Beresteyn's (cf. Maurick Castle) and died in 1691. His widow succeeded. In 1699 their son Jacob van der Hoeven became Lord of Heeswijk. He was in turn succeeded by his son Jacob, who became lord in 1719 and who died in 1739. Mr. Cornelis Speelman became the next lord in 1740, because he had married Jacob's sister Agatha van der Hoeven in 1716. Cornelis
2520-574: The numbers of the marsh-marigold and the northern crested newt increased. With regard to insects Damselflies can be observed in high numbers. Stoneflies and Mayflies also profited. Finding the larvae of the Caddisfly was a highlight for the success of the project. With regard to birds there is hope that the Common Kingfisher , Sand martin , Marsh warbler , and Nightingale will profit. Hofmeister (office) In medieval Europe, within
2576-558: The river till Koks, just north of Gemert , about 30 km from 's-Hertogenbosch. All this might actually point to the same place. Anyway, near the Koksehoeve in Koks, Gemert there was a harbor for barges to and from 's-Hertogenbosch, and this activity only ended after the Zuid-Willemsvaart was dug. It explains why Heeswijk Castle on the Aa, about 10 km from 's-Hertogenbosch, was such a strategic position for defending 's-Hertogenbosch against
2632-419: The second time, to Margaretha of Culemborg heiress of Jan van Culemborg Lord of Boxmeer and Spalbeek. Pieter led the militia of 's-Hertogenbosch in many wars against Guelders. In one of these he died near Heerewaarden on 22 April 1479. Margaretha of Culemborg, widow of Pieter de Bousies remarried to Willem van Egmond Stadholder of Guelders. Their daughter Anna brought Boxmeer, Haps, Stevensweert and Spalbeek to
2688-547: The twelfth century. Later that century a Hubertus van Heeswijk was mentioned. In the thirteenth the Lords that gave their name to the castle were succeeded by Walraven of Bentheim from the family of the Counts of Bentheim . Walraven was still alive in 1308. That year Count Jan of Megen was in control of the lordship, and he remained so till his death in about 1346. After that Jan van Bentheim grandson of Walraven, became Lord of Heeswijk. In
2744-600: Was a grandson of Cornelis Speelman (1628-1684), Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies . Cornelis became schepen in 's-Hertogenbosch, and died in 1746. He was succeeded by mr. Jacob Speelman (1722-1787), who made an impressive career in Leiden. In 1788 he was succeeded by his son mr. Cornelis Jacob Speelman (1747-1825). During his tenure the French general Pichegru used the castle as his headquarters. The French period also meant
2800-408: Was also a knight, and Lord of Nieuw-Herlaer Castle . He fought in the 1371 Battle of Baesweiler , and was captured and ransomed during that war. In 1387 he made the Lordship of Heeswijk and half of Dinther a loan of Brabant, and then also received the other half of Dinther. In 1398 Guelders troops burned down the villages of Heeswijk and Dinther, but could not conquer the castle. Willem van der Aa sold
2856-528: Was also enlarged with an armory . He also added the so-called 'Iron Tower'. Here the growing collection of art objects and curiosities collected by the baron and his sons, Louis and Donat was stored. In 1836 Van den Bogaerde van Terbrugge and six others founded the Provinciaal Genootschap van Kunsten en Wetenschappen , a society that would grow to become the Noordbrabants Museum . The castle
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#17328521801122912-452: Was attacked by Guelders and the Duchy of Jülich . Jan van Benthem could maintain himself in Heeswijk, and so he 'sold' to Knight Dirk de Rover in 1374. Walraven of Bentheim son of Jan regained the estate in 1379, and so the transaction might not have been a final sale. Walraven sold the lordship to Willem van der Aa. Willem van der Aa was schepen of 's-Hertogenbosch in 1388, 1392 and 1401. He
2968-530: Was buried in 's-Hertogenbosch. The younger daughter Elselina married Eustache de Bousies lord of Vertaing, Feluy, Gosselies, Rommeries etc. in 1446. Their second son Pieter de Bousies lord of Vertaing would inherit all of his aunt Jeanne's estate. In 1471 he was appointed as high schout of 's-Hertogenbosch and the Meierij , but his investment was prevented by him not having been born in the Meierij. In 1473 he married for
3024-414: Was governor and captain-general of Luxembourg. He married Barabara de Lalaing, sister of the stadholder of Groningen. Maximilian at first succeeded in taking responsibility for Heeswijk's defense. He had a son Werner and a daughter named Dorothea. Werner succeeded his father. He was married to Johanna of Merode Houfalize. in 1599 the governor of 's-Hertogenbosch took command of the castle. On 1 November 1601
3080-622: Was restored in 2005. The current castle museum attempts to reflect the life and traditions of the middle of the 19th century. Following the recent restorations, guided tours of the castle are offered. The armory of the castle is used as a wedding location by the municipality Bernheze . Under the promenade cellar roofs (wedding) receptions can be held and the carriage house of the castle accommodates training facilities as well as congress and presentation rooms. [REDACTED] Media related to Castle Heeswijk at Wikimedia Commons Aa (Meuse) The Aa ( Dutch pronunciation: [aː] )
3136-510: Was succeeded by his brother Leonard de Glymes, who became lord in 1521. He died in 1523 and was succeeded by his younger brother Corneille of Berghes (1490?-1560?), prince bishop of Liège in 1538. Corneille sold Heeswijk and Dinther in 1555 to Johan I of East Frisia , a non-ruling count of that house. For 60,000 guilders the count also got: a watermill in Middelrooy and a windmill in Schijndel with
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