The Dommel and its tributaries were practically the only way to efficiently transport bulky goods from north to south.

The barrier function of the Dommel is illustrated by Oud Herlaer being within one kilometre of Maurick Castle in Vught, and actually being much closer to that place, but still belonging to the municipality of Sint-Michielsgestel.

This is indicated by the castle being situated on a natural sand ridge (dekzandwelving) which has been artificially heightened.

It used to be connected to the nearby Dommel by two small canals which also refreshed the water in the moat.

[4] The first pictures of the castle show a building with a round or polygonal wall on the east side.

A 1735 floor plan by Hendrick van der Beck, and an etching by Hendrik Spilman show this as a more polygonal structure.

In the northeast corner was a gate building with small overhanging towers on an upper floor.

The western wall, which was part of the main building, was 25.5 m long, and had an octagonal stair tower on the courtyard side.

The ring wall was probably the oldest part of the medieval castle, dating from the thirteenth century.

The map also shows the small canals which connected the Dommel to the castle moat.

The current (2020) farm named Out Herlaer (with a 't') is claimed to date from the second half of the nineteenth century, but this is not certain.

He cited the jury of tender as stating that the plan had the potential of a Kröller-Müller Museum of the south.

Bas Aarts, president of the society Friends of the Brabant Castles was a bit reserved.

[16] The Lords of Herlaer were also stewards of territory owned by the Abbey of Echternach and later the Prince-Bishopric of Liège.

Gerard or his son would shortly after acquire a rather big continuous territory in the Bommelerwaard.

He had four children: Hendrik II, Isabel, Maria and Aleid (married to Jan of Merode).

Hendrik II of Horn (c. 1422 - 22 mei 1483) would succeed his father as Lord of Perwijs and Herlaer.

On 13 February 1479 Jan V of Rotselaer transferred the Lordship of Herlaer and Gestel to Herman of Counen of Zegenwerp.

[21] However, the children of Clementina died childless, and so the possession by the Van Rotselaer's ended.

Hendrik married Francisca of Brederode and got Jan IV baron of Merode, Pietersheim, Perwijs and Duffel and lord of Herlaer.

Their daughter Maria Margareta of Merode married Johan IV Corsselaar van Wittem (c. 1550-1588) and became Marquess of Bergen op Zoom by inheritance.

The result was that the States of Brabant made William the Silent Marquess of Bergen op Zoom.

In the later stages of the Eighty Years' War the territory gradually came under complete control of the Republic, meaning that the title did not have much real value.

In 1601 Herlaer was inherited by the three daughters of Johan IV Corsselaar van Wittem.

[2] In 1612 she married Count Hendrik van den Bergh, lord of Stevensweert.

In 1627 her daughter Maria Elisabeth II van den Bergh (1613-1671) inherited Herlaer.

Count Hendrik van den Bergh's surviving daughter Maria Elisabeth II van den Bergh (1613-1671), Marchioness of Bergen op Zoom inherited the Marquesat of Bergen op Zoom in 1633.

In or before 1645 Oud Herlaer was described by Baron Philips of Leefdael as belonging to Lady ... de Berges, Princess of Hogensolre (Hohenzollern).

[22] In 1662 Henriette Françoise married Frederic Maurice de la Tour d'Auvergne Duke of Bouillon (1642-1707).

They got only Marie Henriette de la Tour d'Auvergne (Lade of Herlaer 1710-1728).