The villages of Empel en Meerwijk were a fiefdom originally belonging to Crespin Abbey in northern France. The seat of the lords of Empel en Meerwijk was at the now demolished Empel en Meerwijk Castle.
During the Eighty Years' War, a fort called Fort Crèvecoeur was built on the western extremity of the lordship's territory. The terrain is still used for military exercises by the engineers of the Dutch Army.
In the second half of the nineteenth century Meerwijk Castle was built. This manor was built by the official lords of Empel en Meerwijk. These did not wield any feudal rights, but were so rich that they were indeed recognized as such. Meerwijk Castle would later become famous as an upper class brothel.
