The early history of Bronkhorst is, as is common for Dutch towns, largely unknown.

The hill formed a refuge amidst the low-lying, fertile clay in the area, which is close to the river IJssel.

The last Bronkhorst, Joost, died in 1553, after which the domain fell to the widow of Georg of Limburg.

It was sieged several times, most notably in 1582, when after nine months Dutch troops captured the castle, which was occupied by the Spanish during the Eighty Years' War.

Concretely this meant, among other things, that they were given limited self-government and were allowed to administer the law to some extent.