Castle Brederode

Brederode Castle
Kasteel Brederode / Ruïne van Brederode
Santpoort Zuid, the Netherlands
The Ruïns of Brederode
Meindert Hobbema (17th century)
Brederode Castle
Coordinates	52°25′31″N 4°37′21″E / 52.4253°N 4.6225°E / 52.4253; 4.6225
Type	Castle
Site information
Open to the public	Yes
Condition	Ruin
Site history
Built	13th century
Built by	William I van Brederode
Materials	Brick

Brederode Castle (Dutch: Kasteel Brederode), also called the Ruins of Brederode (Dutch: Ruïne van Brederode), is located near Santpoort-Zuid. The castle was founded in the second half of the 13th century by William I van Brederode (1215–1285). William was a descendant of the lords van Teylingen, who were related to the counts of Holland. The castle formed part of the high lordship Brederode, which had been given in loan in the 13th century to the lords of Brederode by the count of Holland.

The name Brederode is a reference to a wooded area called Brede Roede (literally: broad wood), that was cleared and on which the castle was built. The castle was at first not more than a tower, but around 1300 Dirk II van Brederode had the tower pulled down and replaced with a proper castle.

During the Hook and Cod wars, the Brederode family stayed loyal to Margaret of Bavaria. In 1351 the castle was besieged by Gijsbrecht van Nijenrode, who supported the opposing Cod faction. After the surrender of the castle, it was so badly damaged that it was demolished.

After the reconciliation of the Brederode family and the counts of Holland in 1354, the castle was rebuilt. It was no longer used as living space, but it did remain a base of strategic importance for the Hook faction, led by William van Brederode.

When the Hook faction besieged Haarlem in 1426, the Cod faction destroyed the southern part of the castle. William was forbidden to repair or enforce the castle, leaving it in a damaged state. Eventually in 1464 the north part of the castle was allowed to be restored. During the Rise of the cheese and bread people in 1492, the castle was plundered by German soldiers. Since then it was no longer inhabited. In 1568 it fell to the States of Holland. During the forming of the Batavian Republic, the property was nationalised. Ever since, the ruins have been property of the State.