Dutch topographic map of the municipality of Scherpenzeel, June 2015 Centuries ago, what is now the Netherlands was still a collection of small states, ruled by bishops, earls, dukes, and lords.

These rulers were constantly at war over territory, causing fortifications and defenses to be built in border areas.

This was the case in the Veluwe hills, which lay along the border of what is now Utrecht and Gelderland, where many castles and fortresses were constructed as safe havens.

Hence, the name "Scherpenzeel", formerly known as "Scarpenzele", allows us to infer that there was a settlement built around a house ("zele") with sharpened poles ("scarpen"), the prototype of an old castle.

[5] In 2005, it was let to the Friends of Geldersche Castles Foundation, who keep it open to the public and allow wedding ceremonies to be held there.