Guelderland

Guelderland (Geldern, Gelderland), a province of the Netherlands, is situated between the Zuider Zee on the north-west and the Prussian dominions on the south-east. It has an area of 1957 sq. m., and a pop. (1896) of 548,748, two-thirds Protestants. It is watered chiefly by the Meuse, the Yssel, the Rhine, and the Waal. The surface is undulating, and about Arnheim, the capital, and Nimeguen are the most picturesque districts in the Netherlands. The climate is healthy, and the soil, though very unequal, is on the whole good; the southern district, Betuwe (see BATAVI), is one of the most fertile tracts in Europe. Agriculture is prosecuted with great success. Wheat, rye, buckwheat, tobacco, &c. are extensively grown. Among the manufactures, beet-sugar, spirits, bricks and tiles, paper, and cotton goods are the principal. The duchy of Guelderland was more extensive than the modern Dutch province, stretching southwards along the Meuse to beyond Venlo. It was originally inhabited by the Batavi and Sigambri, and after them by the Franks. In 870 it passed to Germany; and in the end of the 11th century became a territorial power, its ruler bearing the title of count. This was exchanged for the higher title of duke in 1383. These dynastic princes maintained their independence for just one century longer; in 1483 their duchy was taken possession of by Maximilian of Austria. Yet it was not until 1543 that the power of the Duke of Gueldres was finally broken and his land definitively incorporated with the Austrian Netherlands. On the revolt of the northern provinces of Holland the northern part of Gueldres threw in its lot (1579) with them, whilst the southern part remained faithful to Spain. The latter was given up to Prussia in 1713. By the peace of 1814 Gueldres was finally divided between Holland and Prussia.