Marcel Peeters

Cleydael Castle

Marcel Peeters, the composer, wanted some times ago to write a piece about the place where his golf club is and wanted to dedicate the piece to all his friends of his golf club from Cleydael (near Antwerp (B)). The golf club is located in an old castle and Marcel Peeters wanted to retrace in music the history of this castle from the beginning until now. It's very important to understand the history of the castle to understand the music. Old the different eras have an equivalent in music and of course with some humor and anachronism. Here are the headlines from the CLEYDAEL CASTLE history: 1. THE BEGINNING: Knight Alexander van HEMESSEM, Lord of Cleydael, started to buid the Cleydael Castle in 1300, the middle of a small natural island, inbetween the two arms of the river 'Stuysbeek'. These two arms formed a natural defence and protection of the 10 acres of domaine. 2. PEARL OF THE CROWN: There were lots of little castles on this domaine, but Cleydael was really 'the pearl of the crown'. So it was great humiliation for the family of Alexander (family Sanders), when the castle felt into the hands of a still more powerfull family with the name 'Van der Elst.'The pearl of the crown' was now owned by Gerard Van der Elst. 3. 1372: In 1372 he went to fight a battle against the Earls of Juliers and van Gueldre. The legend tells that in the meantime the castle was watched over and defended by his faithfull Nine-eyers, a huge ale of silver with nine eyes. (Now the castle is protected by 2 nine holes!!!). 4. THE VENDETTA: After the death of Gerard Van der Elst, his oldest son Jean Van der Elst becomes the owner of the castle. The hostillity between the two families explodes into a real vendetta, and leads to a murder. Jean Sanders murders Philippe Van der Elst. 5. THE DECAPITATION: In 1419 the son of the murdered Philippe Van der Elst sells the castle to Jean Van de Werve, whose sister Catherine inheritates everything. And marries the son of ... Jean Sanders (who had the same name than his father). The then leading Philip the Good orders the decapitation of Cornelius (his brother and inherent). 6. THE CASTLE GHOST AND THE 9-EYED MONSTER: Now and then he spooks in the castle, with his head in his arms. After this the catles changed of owner with different marriages and the castle has been transformed partially to adapt it to the confort of thoses different periods. 7. THE DUKE OF ALBA AND COMPANY: In 1557 the castle was in the hands of Antoine Del Rio and in this period the castle has been adorned with master pieces. And also at this period Philips II, duke of Alba, Requescens en Fuentes, governor of the Netherlands often stayed in Cleydael. But the castle of Cleydael had to pay hard its dependance of the Spanish King. The small guard of the castle could do anything against the attacks of Philippe of Lalaing. The castle and the library were damaged. 8.PHILIPS II AND THE GORVERNORS: During this periods, Philips II and a lot of personnalities frequently came in Cleydael. In 1580 the owner was Gilles Eychelberg. 9. THE LORD PROTECTOR CROMWELL: Gilles Eychelberg became Knight and one of his daughters, Anne, married Olivier Cromwell from Huntington uncle from the well known Lord protector of England. The famous Cromwell was growned up by his aunt and came therefore often in Cleydael. In 1650, the family Hellemans (brewer) both the castle and restored it. Is it really ' La Marseillaise ' that I hear ? 10. ON THE COURSE: In 1976 the owner was J. F. Leitner and it is him who decided to add a luxurious golf course. Don't you hear the balls flowing in the air ! 11. THE CLUB SONG: The composer wanted to offer a small present to all his friends from the golf club and decided to write a song for them. It's quite normal to hear the song at the end of this long story. Enjoy the music !