Editing Helmond (section)

=== Medieval and early modern periods ===
During the [[Merovingian dynasty|Merovingian]] period, the site of what is now Helmond was an only partially habitable convergence of streams. As the streams began to silt over, settlement was made possible, and by the year 1000, a settlement arose west of what is the current city center. Additionally, a precursor to the current [[Helmond Castle]], named ''<nowiki/>'t Oude Huys'' ("the old house"), was built around this time. Documents from 1108 mention Lord Hazelo von Helmond, the first feudal lord of the [[Allod|allodium]] of Helmond.

In 1179, a [[Papal bull|bull]] of [[Pope Alexander III]] mentions Helmond being donated to the [[Floreffe Abbey|Abbey of Floreffe]]. At this point, the local feudal administration was probably moved to t' Oude Huys. In 1220, Helmond came under the control of [[Henry I, Duke of Brabant|Henry I of Brabant]]. In 1225, the town was founded by Henry, it received its [[Town privileges|Town Privileges]] in 1232. Following his death in 1235, it was passed down to his daughter, [[Maria of Brabant, Holy Roman Empress]], who spent much time at t' Oude Huys and whose founding of [[Binderen Abbey]] benefited the growth of the city. Upon her death in 1260, the town passed back to the Dukes of Brabant, who, in 1315, leased it to the van Berlaer family. In 1325, Jan II Berthout van Berlaer started the construction of a stone keep on the site of the current Helmond Castle, supplanting t' Oude Huys. By 1400, the city ramparts were built.

Having gained market rights in 1376, Helmond's textile industry began to develop, and in 1389, seven guilds were authorized to operate in the town. Merchants from Helmond sold wool and textiles throughout Brabant. Despite the commercial growth, the town's population remained small. Helmond's prosperity soon ended due to war and instability in the [[Duchy of Guelders]], and following [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]]'s ascension to the Duchy of Brabant, Helmond was put under siege and sacked by the army of [[Maarten van Rossum]] in 1543.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Castles.nl - Helmond Castle |url=https://www.castles.nl/helmond-castle |access-date=2022-11-03 |website=www.castles.nl}}</ref>