GORINCHEM – Archaeologists have discovered the remains of what is very likely the Court of Arkel. And that is a find of great historical value, especially since, apart from a few references in the archives, no direct historical documents substantiated the existence of the Court. Moreover, it is the oldest building ever found in the inner city of Gorcum.
Sturdy, wide brick walls reveal that in the fourteenth century, an imposing house must have stood directly opposite the Gorcum church tower. "The sturdy foundation, a framework of wooden crossbeams under those walls, also testifies to this," says Ronald van Genabeek of the research and consultancy agency BaacThe agency has been commissioned by the municipality of Gorinchem to lead the investigation at the location on Krijtstraat where V&D will soon be built.
"So it is very likely that it is indeed the house of Jan van Arkel, Jan number five in this case, because almost all those Van Arkels were called Jan. In archives, this house is mentioned in a story about a plot against Jan van Arkel," says Martin Veen of the Archaeology Working Group of the municipality of Gorinchem. "The growth of Gorinchem into a medieval city is in direct relation to the power that the lords of Arkel exercised. Not only in administrative but also in financial terms."
Despite this historical influence, little is known about the life of this family in the city of Gorinchem. The excavations at the Krijtstraat may provide more insight, because in addition to the walls, several cesspits were also found. In these pits, which were used as a garbage dump at the time, not only food remains but also pieces of broken crockery disappeared. “We found a few shards of fourteenth-century glass. Not large quantities, but still. Glass was something very special at that time and therefore quite expensive. The common man could not afford it. So in that respect, those shards are also an indication.”
Further research on location should reveal what the Hof looked like exactly, because only a part has been exposed so far. The Archaeology Working Group and Baac still have three weeks to do this. After that, preparations for the construction of V&D will begin.
September 5, 2002
The Dordrecht resident