Editing Leerdam (section)

==History==
Leerdam received [[City rights in the Netherlands|city rights]] in 1407. The small river Linge, bordered by beautiful water meadows, defines the atmosphere and tone of the landscape. Several centuries ago Leerdam formed a part of the Vijfheerenlanden domain, before it was raised to the level of County in 1498.

In 1551, Leerdam, together with [[Acquoy]], became property of the [[House of Orange]] and part of the [[County of Holland]].

The rich history of Leerdam can be found in well-kept historic buildings such as the ''Grote Kerk'' (Great Church), the ''[[Hofje van Mevrouw van Aerden]]'' (Mrs. Aerden Almshouses, now a museum), the remaining and restored city walls on the ''Zuidwal'' and the ''Oude Raadhuis'' (Old City Hall).

In South Africa a fort was built by the [[Dutch East India Company]] between 1666 and 1679 in the coastal city [[Cape Town]]. It is called [[Castle of Good Hope]]. The corners of this fort received names in honour of [[William III of England|William of Orange-Nassau]] and because Leerdam was part of the [[House of Orange-Nassau]] one of those corners were named Leerdam.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://castleofgoodhope.co.za/history/ |title=Castell de Goede Hoop History|accessdate=21 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/four-corner-stones-castle-kasteel-de-goede-hoop-cape-are-laid |title=The four corner stones of the castle (Kasteel de Goede Hoop) at the Cape are laid|accessdate=21 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://theculturetrip.com/africa/south-africa/articles/a-brief-history-of-the-castle-of-good-hope-cape-town/ |title= A Brief History Of The Castle Of Good Hope, Cape Town |author= Collison, L|date= 9 December 2016 |accessdate=21 December 2018}}</ref>