Family history Hertog van Valkenburg

Duke of Valkenburg

The history of Valkenburg begins in the valley of the Geul. In 1041, Certificate King Henry III called it „Falchenberch“, probably the present-day Oud-Valkenburg. The earliest known lord was Thibald of Valkenburg-Fouron. In the 12th century, a line of the Heinsberg family took over the rule and turned the castle built on a limestone cliff into the widely visible center of their country.

Four men named Gosewijn led Valkenburg until 1212. Gosewijn IV founded a Premonstratensian monastery at Houthem in 1201, near the grave of the hermit Gerlach. From this emerged the noble women's foundation Sint-Gerlach, which shaped religion, education, and regional culture over the centuries. After Gosewijn, Dirk I came from a Klevisch-Heinsbergian line. His family was highly connected: Engelbert of Valkenburg became Archbishop of Cologne in 1261.

The most famous lord was Walram „the Red“. He defended his independence against the powerful neighbors and fought in 1288 in the Battle of Worringen against Duke John I of Brabant. Although his side was defeated, Valkenburg remained an important fiefdom between Maas, Aachen and Liège. The family acquired further rights and lands; their lion still lives on in regional heraldry to this day.

In 1346, Jan von Valkenburg followed his brother Dirk IV. He fought on the English side in the Hundred Years' War and distinguished himself at Crécy. Since his marriage to Johanna von Voorne resulted in no children, Valkenburg handed over his lands to his sister Philippa in 1352. After disputes over inheritance and sales, the land was permanently transferred to the Dukes of Brabant in 1381. These took Valkenburg as one of the lands of Übermaas.

Historically, the members of the dynasty were lords, not counts of Valkenburg; the title of duke belonged to their later Brabantian land lords. The castle ruins above the Geul, Sint-Gerlach and the Valkenburger Lion nevertheless tell an impressive story of a family that shaped politics and the landscape of Southern Limburg for three centuries.

Sources: Municipality of Valkenburg aan de Geul, DBNL, National Institute for Cultural Heritage, Historical Center Limburg

Family coat of arms Hertog van Valkenburg

Historical account Coat of arms of the Lords of Valkenburg.

In silver a red, double-tailed rising lion, crowned with gold, fortified with gold and adorned with gold.

The double-tailed red lion is the traditional symbol of the Lords of Valkenburg and later became part of the regional heraldry of Limburg. The members of the dynasty were historically Lords of Valkenburg; the project title „Duke“ does not correspond to their actual rank.

Sources: Provincial Limburg, flag and anthem“, description of the red double-tailed lion taken from Coat of arms the lord of Valkenburg, Stichting Vestingstad Valkenburg, Huis van Brederode, excerpts, history, print, print-optimized full-armored version on a pure white background, splendid gold and ruby enamel version on a pale orange-colored parchment background