SINT-AGATHA-RODE

The history of the region surrounding Sint-Agatha-Rode dates back well into the Neolithic period. In addition, the remains of a French-Roman villa have been found. The name Sint-Agatha-Rode appears to have its roots in the middle ages. The suggestion is that the region was long established as a settlement, and took part of its name "Rode" from the "gerooid", or harvested forests. To separate the town from others with the same name, the name of the town's patron saint was added, to yield the present day, Sint-Agatha-Rode. Saint Agatha's Church was already in existence by 1040 AD and under the control of the Graf of Leuven. The foundation of the present day church was laid down in the 13th century, and repeatedly restored.

In about 1106 the Duke of Brabant assumed control of the region. A manor house was built there, for the use of the Dukes, and although it had military uses, it was never besieged. After the death of Hendrik II van Brabant (1235 -1248), the region of Sint-Agatha-Rode came under the control of his second wife, Sophia van Thuringen. In 1284, the grandson of Sophia, Jan I van Brabant (1267-1294) bestowed the land upon his younger brother Godfried van Vierson, along with the lands of Ottenburg, Nethen and Archennes. These lands then made their way through various families, via marriage and inheritance for the next 4 centuries. In the 13th century the lands transferred to the van Gulik family, then about 1370 it was transferred to the van Schoonvorst family, and then in the 15th century, control passed to the family van Gavre.

The van Gavre family controlled the property until the middle of the 16th century. The last male of the van Gavre line was Johannes van Gavre. He and his wife Maria, had only 2 daughters, and although both of them married, neither produced any children. Sint-Agatha-Rode then came into the possession of Gaspard van Hooglande, who passed control onto his daughter Genoveva and her husband Jan Scheyfve. Jan played an active role in the resistance to the Spanish occupying forces. In 1578 he was given the duty of ambassador to Madrid, but refused the position, so as to remain as a rebel commander.

In 1646 the region of Rode was bestowed on a Galacian nobleman, Thomas Lopez de Ulloa, the paymaster of the Spanish Army. In 1651 he was named Graf, and he attached the title to the manor at Rode. The title of Graf of Rode passed to Ferdinand Jozef de la Puente, following his marriage to Dona Carla Lopez de Ulloa. Their son Eugeen remained the Graaf of Rode until the French Revolution at the end of the 18th century

last updated 4/27/06