Lordship Grobbendonk Grobbendonk was known as Ouwen till it was renamed Grobbendonk in about the mid 18th century. This was the name of the Lordship (
Heerlijkheid) Grobbendonk, centered on
Grobbendonk Castle. In 1545
Erasmus II Schetz became Lord of Grobbendonk. In 1602, his grandson
Anthonie II Schetz became the first Baron of Grobbendonck. In 1637, the lords of Grobbendonk became counts of Grobbendonk. In 1726, the dukes of Ursel also became hereditary Count of Grobbendonk. The
French Revolution cancelled the
feudal system. It made that in most cases a
Heerlijkheid became an almost insignificant title. One of the later lords of Grobbendonk was
Marie Joseph Charles, 6th Duke d'Ursel (1848-1903). The head of the house of Ursel is still
lord of Grobbendonk. ==Famous inhabitants==