Keizerbosch
Title
Keizerbosch
Also Known As
Caesareum nemus, Cheserbusch, Kayserbosch, Keizersbosch, Neer
Dates
Founded ca. 1226-1246; suppressed 1797
Dedication
Nicholas
Affiliation
Medieval Diocese
Circary
History
A community of sisters dependent on Averbode. The Premonstratensians of Averbode possessed a grange at Keizersbosch by 1185. Between 1230-1246, Averbode established a house for noble women here with the assistance of the lords of Horn. This family remained closely associated with the community.
In 1472, the community's church was rebuilt in the Gothic style. The monastic complex was substantially rebuilt in the 17th century.
In 1797 the community was suppressed and the site passed into private lands. The last of the original medieval buildings were demolished following fires in the first half of the 20th century. Today, the site is a day care centre.
In 1472, the community's church was rebuilt in the Gothic style. The monastic complex was substantially rebuilt in the 17th century.
In 1797 the community was suppressed and the site passed into private lands. The last of the original medieval buildings were demolished following fires in the first half of the 20th century. Today, the site is a day care centre.
Status
Women's community
Archival Sources
Averbode, Archief van de abdij van Averbode
A substantial number of charters and other manuscripts from Keizerbosch are now held in the archives of Averbode Abbey; see finding aid BE-A0518 / 701.
Maastricht, Historisch Centrum Limburg
14.D034 (15th-18th c.; finding aid)
A substantial number of charters and other manuscripts from Keizerbosch are now held in the archives of Averbode Abbey; see finding aid BE-A0518 / 701.
Maastricht, Historisch Centrum Limburg
14.D034 (15th-18th c.; finding aid)
Reference
Bibliography
Dekkers, Peter J.V. “De stichting van de abdij van Averbode en het klooster Keizerbos in het graafschap Loon.” De Maasgouw 116 (1997): 219–32.
Flament, A.J.A. “De abdij Keijzerbosch te Neer, Prioren en Priorinnen.” De Maasgouw, August 1906. https://books.google.com/books?id=h-YsAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA4-PA57.
Genechten, Vincenz van. “Wederwaardigheden rond de reformatie van het Witvrouwenklooster te Keizerbos.” Analecta Praemonstratensia 53 (1977): 13–41.
Gerits, Jan. “Het Premonstratenzer vrouwenklooster te Keizerbos Neer.” Rondom het Leudal : tijdschrift voor natuur, geschiedenis en milieu 7 (October 1977): 3–7.
———. “Snoepende zusters te Keizerbos.” Rondom het Leudal : tijdschrift voor natuur, geschiedenis en milieu 10 (1978): 17.
Schreurs, Petrus. “Het Vrouwenstift van Keyserbosch te Neer.” Rondom het Leudal: tijdschrift voor natuur, geschiedenis en milieu, no. 137 (2010): 423–27.
Van De Weerd, H. “Het Vrouwenstift van Keyserbosch.” Limburg : maandschrift gewijd aan geschiedenis, oudheidkunde, kunst, folklore en letterkunde 8 (1927): 78–81.
Verzijl, J. “Uit de geschiedenis van Limburg. Het voormalig norbertinessenklooster onder Neer.” De Nedermaas: Limburgsch geïllustreerd maandblad, June 1931. https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=MMUBMA01:000242037:00005.
———. “Uit de geschiedenis van Limburg. Het voormalig norbertinessenklooster onder Neer.” De Nedermaas: Limburgsch geïllustreerd maandblad, July 1931. https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=MMUBMA01:000242038:00004.
Image Credit
The former priory of Keizerbosch, 1965. Wikimedia.
Files
Collection
Citation
“Keizerbosch,” A Premonstratensian Atlas, accessed October 16, 2026, https://yvonneseale.org/atlas/items/show/546.