Van Arkel’s Oude Veste

In his 1898 book "Van Arkel's Oude Veste," H.A. van Goch extensively describes the history of the city of Gorinchem and its principal buildings and institutions. He devotes considerable attention to the Van Arkel family, which was closely linked to the city's early development. Van Goch refutes the mythical stories about the Arkels' ancient origins, which supposedly date back to the Trojans or the fourth century. These stories were later fabricated to enhance the family's prestige. The Arkels are likely actually descended from the lords of Lede. Gorinchem supposedly came into their possession through the Count of Bentheim. 

The Arkels were initially not Dutch nobles, but vassals of the Count of Holland. Through strategic marriages with prominent families, they later managed to raise their status. Besides Gorinchem, their lordship included towns such as Hagestein, Leerdam, Schoonrewoerd, Arkel, Spijk, Dalem, Vuren, Herwijnen, Schelluinen, and Hoornaar. Van Goch chronologically describes the early urban history of Gorinchem, which was closely linked to the fortunes of the Van Arkel family, from the settlement's origins to the end of the Arkel lords' rule in 1412.