Castle Waede

This sandbox is in the article namespace. Either move this page into your userspace, or remove the {{User sandbox}} template.

Castle Waede

Castle Waede, synonyms Waey and Poll, was built by the Counts of Kleve, circa 1240 and they placed a toll on the river. ^[1] This extended Kleve’s influence in the region of Huissen on the Rhine in what is now Gelderland. The castle was demolished in 1875, after the death of its last owner, Alexander Josephus Ludovicus Baron van Laer van Hoenlo. The land was then sold off in lots. What remains is a subsurface archaeological site including wall, moat and building-foundation features and associated artifacts from as early as the thirteenth-century. The site remains important because of its possible contributions to understanding the distribution of castles over the regional medieval landscape. In Huissen, the castle’s name survives as the name for the neighborhood of De Poll, located in the southeast of Huissen on the border of Angeren. UTM Location 31 U 702177.89 mE 5756545.16 mN (Address: Polsweg achter 32,Huissen). Elevation 14 meters.

De Poll is a Latinization of the original name De Waede probably referring to the many nearby pools or scour holes left by Rhine River activity. De Poll as a name for the house came into use sometime in the seventeenth-century.^[2]

De Waede once had lands in both Huissen and Angeren. Archaeological testing was conducted in 1982 by Th. H. Janssen and the Historische Kring Huessen.^[3] Several investigations have been conducted since for cultural resource management purposes, most recently by Rohling and van der Kuijl (2013). ^[4] The site is on private property and not accessible by the public.

Architecture and Archaeology

A historic drawing of the castle, a document from an early sale, cadastral maps and archaeological investigations provide architectural information about the castle as it stood in the post-medieval period. Among these, the earliest item is a drawing by J. Stellingwerf called Huys Pol in de Overbetuw (1629) archived in the municipal library of Rotterdam. The tower in the sketch resembles a tower in Kronenburger Park, Nijmegen dating to the mid-fourteenth century and perhaps built under similar architectural influence. The telescoping structure the Nijmegen tower and the De Waede tower are relatively unique in castle tower architecture. Also important is that the brick at the Nijmegen tower is diagnostic in that it can be generally dated or sequenced in time. Perhaps tower brick from the ruins of the De Waede tower is from similar sources and an estimate of when it was constructed might be made. Janssen’s 1984 investigation did confirm that this is in fact a drawing of House De Waede.

There is also a historic document that describes the castle when it was offered for sale in 1656:

...a noble house, surrounded by walls and moats, referred to as ‘de Waed.’ It is accessible by way of a gate building with a drawbridge. Inside the house are two cellars, a kitchen, a room and a drawing room, three upstairs rooms, a corn loft and some more lofts to keep pigeons.

A cart barn and a horse stable are situated near the house. It is surrounded by a garden and orchard. A farm and a barn are situated outside the moated area, surrounded by farmlands, with an ox meadow and a fishery. Furthermore, an estate, on which oak trees, ashes, poplars and fruit trees. The total amounts to 59 ‘Hollandse morgen’ (a measure of land equal to about two acres) of which 34 morgen sp. are situated in the area of the town of Hussen and 25 in the area of the settlement of Angeren.^[5]

Rohling & van der Kuijl, in their 2013 report include a cadastral map dating to 1811 appears to confirm the above description. A surrounding moat can be observed with a drawbridge to the northeast and a tower to the southeast. Two buildings to the northeast outside the moat may be the barns. Rohling & van der Kuijl, in their 2013 report also include a topographic map dated 1866 (cadastral map 1811-1832832) that shows similar features. In Th.H. Janssen's 1984 journal article includes a 1809-1810 map that depicts a stair tower in one of the inner corners.

Although probable, and titled as such, further confirmation that the Stellingwerf sketch is De Waede would be desirable. Lidar imagery and google maps may reveal more information in the future.

One is probably safe in describing House de Waede as a motte castle, a castle built on a natural or engineered mound. Most castles in the Netherlands are motte-castles and are generally smaller than the motte and baily castles more common elsewhere.^[6] Rohling and van der Kuijl describe the House de Waede site as on ‘battle ground’ or higher ground chosen for defense. With the high local water table, the motte may have been enhanced through excavating or dredging of an almost natural moat. Strategically located, House De Waede is along the Limes Germanicus.

This was the fortified border of the Roman Empire once consisting of stockades, watch towers, legion fortresses (castra) and forts (castella). No direct evidence of Roman occupation was reported at the site but the area is considered have potential for Roman-era archaeology. Adding to the strategic importance of the area is its location at the double bifurcation of the Rhine providing a good landing place, as noted by Tacitus in The Annals II 6..

History

In 1242, Huissen (then called Heuschenheim) fell under the control of the Counts of Kleve. There they established a castle to collect tolls on the Rhine. Although Huissen is mentioned as early as 814, but once the castle was established, a trading area flourished nearby. Huissen received municipal rights in 1314.

The first known recorded mention of a feudal proprietor at the location of House De Waede was Jan van den Wade in 1260. In that year, a contract concerning a Guelders-Klevian marriage was drawn up. On the side of Count Otto II of Guelders a number of distinguished noblemen, as the sovereign lords of Bergh, Wisch and Batenburg appear. On the side of Kleve appears amongst others: “…Jan van den Wade of a ministerial lineage from a mansion in Angeren…” ^[7]

Historian Dr. J.M. van Winter identifies a van der Waden family as ministerials from the quarter of Nijmegen with one of their estate locations consistent with the location of House De Waede, “ van der Waden, House die Waede or de Pol below Huissen, Overbetuwe. Probably Cleve’s ministerials with feudal estates in Nijmegen in the Overbetuwe, Netherlands. In Gendt-Doorenburg and in Angeren.” ^[8] It appears that at least by the mid-foruteenth-century, the van der Wadens were subinfeudated to others.

A document dated June 8, 1347 records an early transfer of title to the estate,

“Henricus de Walla, Judge in Huissen and Cesarius Mechtildis, as well as Gerard Duemen, Alderman of Huissen, ratify that Philippus de Heecker yields his possessions in Wada, named ‘dat goeth’ (feudal estate) in der Waden’ to Lord Theodoricus de Bilandt, knight.

The families involved in the transfer were of an elevated economic and social level. The most likely families in the area with matching names are the van Hekeren and Dous van Bylandt families documented by van Winter. Van Winter’s spellings will be used for consistency.

An important line in the document is admittedly confusing as to which Bylandt the fief is transferred. The original may have to be studied in detail perhaps using black light techniques to sort this out. R.J.H. Melchers contends that the transfer was rather to Otto van Bylandt not Theodoricus van Bylandt. ^[9] Nevertheless, the fief transferred to the Bylandt family; Van Winter in her extensive analysis of knightly families lists both an Otto van Bylandt, and also a Dous van Bylandt or Theordicus Dous.

At least in 1347, the van Heeckerens were the primary owners of the fife. Since what date they owned it is unclear. Neither the van Heeckererns nor the van Bylandts ever lived there but instead gave it out in feudal tenure to others. The van Bylandt family became the primary holders of the castle until at least circa 1487.^[10]

Related to the above discussion is the period of significance of the castle-the period of primary interest to castle scholars. This period is generally defined as the period when a castle would be both a residence and private fortress (Janssen 1990). For House De Waede, the beginning of the period of significance in this case 1240. The period when the castle no longer functioned as a fortress, but rather became only a private albeit i ismpressive residence, marks the end of the period of significance. For House De Waede the termination of the period of significance might coincide with the end of van Bylandts as overlord, perhaps 1487 or perhaps the occupancy by the Van der Borch family sometime before 1516. Also the local tactical and strategic situation would have to be factored in. Many factors contributed to the end of the residence fortress period, one being the appearance of light artillery in the 1500s and the demise of the feudal economy and military.

We can presume that during the period of significance, the occupiers of the castle took on the name of the castle. After 1500, this was not the case.

As to the presence of Jan van den Wade mentioned above in the 1260 CE document, this is the most direct evidence of a resident using the name of the castle. He was a person identified of some prestige representing the Counts of Kleve the builders the castle and the ultimate overlords. Presumably this family were leenmannen or leenhulders (feudal vassals) in other words the actual owners or residents of the fief. The close proximity to the House De Waede and over 13 mentions of the family as prominent as judges and squires in nearby areas lends support to this assumption.^[11]

That the Van der Waden family my have been occupants as late as 1487 is argued by Th.H Janssen (1982). Jannssen notes that in 1487 Johanne Wolter van Wada also know as van Waden was an alderman in Huessen. According to Janssen, in those times it would not be socially acceptable to use the toponym van der Waden unless one actually lived at the castle.

Since 1487 records exist for all the occupants of House De Waede. The castle was described as a Adellijke Gesees ‘noble residence’ until 1875.

References

^ Jorian, Jas (2013). Kastelen in Gelderland [Castles in Gelderland] (in Dutch) (first ed.). Utrecht: Matrijs. pp. Page 293. ISBN 978 90 5345 4107.
^ Brons, Joop. "Hoge heren in Huissen". Med. Historische Krng Huessen (Jaargang 9 1984 Nr. 1/2).
^ Janssen, Th.H. (1984). "Het voormalig Adellijk Goed: "De Waede" of "De Poll"". Med. Historische Kring Huessen. jrg. 9: 1–2, 4–19, 27–30, 56.
^ Rohling, ing. JFM and drs. E.E.A. van der Kuijl 2013 Bureauonderzoek en Karterend Booronderzoek, Hamaland Advies, Zelhem, NL.
^ Derksen, H.W.J. (1978). "Verkoop van "De Poll" in 1656". Med. Historisch Kring Huessen. jrg. 4: 204–207.
^ Janssen, H.L. (1990). "The archaeology of the medieval castle in the Netherlands. Results and prospects for future research. In Besteman, J.C., J.M. Bos & H.A. Heidinga (eds)". Medieval Archaeology in the Netherlands Studies presented to H.H. van Regteren Altena, Assen (Studies in Prae- en Protohistorie, 4): 219–264.
^ Van Dalen, A.G. (1970). Uit de oude historie van Pannerden [The Old History of Pannereden] (in Dutch) (1st ed.). ZevenaarLiemers Lantaern. ISBN 9023633210.
^ Van Winter, J.M. (1963). Ministerialiteit en Ridderchap in Gelre en Zutphen [Ministerials and Knights in Gelre and Zutphen] (in Dutch). S. Gouda Quint-D. Brouwer en Zoon, Arnhem. ISBN 0006391437. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
^ Melchers, R.J.H. (2009). "Het leengoed "In der Waden". Een bijdrage tot de oudste historie (1347-1521) van Huis De Waede of de Poll". Med. Historisch Kring Huessen. jrg. 37: 123–129.
^ Belonje, J. (1958). "Het "Adellijke Gesees" de Poll bij Huissen". Jaarboek van het Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie. deel XII (1958): 24–42.
^ Verwaaijen, W.Th. (1993). Genealogie Verwa(a)ijen (in Dutch) (1st ed.). Uitgeverij Pirola, Schoorl, NL. p. 38. ISBN 9064551472.

[1] Jorian, Jas (2013). Kastelen in Gelderland [Castles in Gelderland] (in Dutch) (first ed.). Utrecht: Matrijs. pp. Page 293. ISBN 978 90 5345 4107.

[2] Brons, Joop. "Hoge heren in Huissen". Med. Historische Krng Huessen (Jaargang 9 1984 Nr. 1/2).

[3] Janssen, Th.H. (1984). "Het voormalig Adellijk Goed: "De Waede" of "De Poll"". Med. Historische Kring Huessen. jrg. 9: 1–2, 4–19, 27–30, 56.

[4] Rohling, ing. JFM and drs. E.E.A. van der Kuijl 2013 Bureauonderzoek en Karterend Booronderzoek, Hamaland Advies, Zelhem, NL.

[5] Derksen, H.W.J. (1978). "Verkoop van "De Poll" in 1656". Med. Historisch Kring Huessen. jrg. 4: 204–207.

[6] Janssen, H.L. (1990). "The archaeology of the medieval castle in the Netherlands. Results and prospects for future research. In Besteman, J.C., J.M. Bos & H.A. Heidinga (eds)". Medieval Archaeology in the Netherlands Studies presented to H.H. van Regteren Altena, Assen (Studies in Prae- en Protohistorie, 4): 219–264.

[7] Van Dalen, A.G. (1970). Uit de oude historie van Pannerden [The Old History of Pannereden] (in Dutch) (1st ed.). ZevenaarLiemers Lantaern. ISBN 9023633210.

[8] Van Winter, J.M. (1963). Ministerialiteit en Ridderchap in Gelre en Zutphen [Ministerials and Knights in Gelre and Zutphen] (in Dutch). S. Gouda Quint-D. Brouwer en Zoon, Arnhem. ISBN 0006391437. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)

[9] Melchers, R.J.H. (2009). "Het leengoed "In der Waden". Een bijdrage tot de oudste historie (1347-1521) van Huis De Waede of de Poll". Med. Historisch Kring Huessen. jrg. 37: 123–129.

[10] Belonje, J. (1958). "Het "Adellijke Gesees" de Poll bij Huissen". Jaarboek van het Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie. deel XII (1958): 24–42.

[11] Verwaaijen, W.Th. (1993). Genealogie Verwa(a)ijen (in Dutch) (1st ed.). Uitgeverij Pirola, Schoorl, NL. p. 38. ISBN 9064551472.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]