The Oeffelter Meent

The Oeffelter Meent, east of Sint Agatha, was owned by the Crosiers of Sint Agatha from 1400 to 1648. With the Peace of Münster, the Protestants gained control of State Brabant, and the monastery’s properties reverted to the state. The Crosiers, who had been under the protection of the stadtholders of Orange—lords of the Land of Cuijk since 1559—were allowed to continue living in the monastery but were required to pay rent from then on. It wasn’t until 1887 that they regained the monastery, but the land remained in government hands.

A “meent” refers to communal pastureland; the land belonged to no one in particular; anyone was allowed to graze their sheep or cows there. The area was neglected for a long time until the Dutch Forestry Commission acquired the land.

This text has been translated using AI.