Bruen van Loe

A special kind of curiosity exists out of the time of Johann von Loe (15^th century): Johann had an illegitimate son named Bruen, who – according to the understanding then – came from an illegitimate relationship. As a consequence, he was not allowed to carry the name of his father – (“only”) van Loe was permitted.

 Still he received, in accordance with the privileged position of the House of Wissen, the farm Abroeck as (sub-) feudatory (at the time, Wissen was still the feudatory of the Foundation Xanten) when the sub feudatory taker, Henrik van Abroeck died and his heirs did not wish to accept the highly indebted inheritance.

In the late 16^th century, the farm had yet again to be returned (“sold”) to the Wissen relations due to indebtedness but, by then, the names of the descendents of Bruen also showed a reference to their lineage by carrying the addition van Loe – “van Abroeck”.

As his (Wissen) half-brother Wessel, Bruen was also not an insignificant man in his time. We know that he was a judge in Weeze. In numerous documents, stored in the Weeze archives, he is mentioned as such, particularly concerning arbitration issues.

His descendents – his name bearers – who are today (substantially) more numerous than those of his half brother Wessel, whose Wissen descendents in the outgoing 18^th century consisted exclusively of the then equally significant and father of many children, Edmond. These days they live mainly in the Netherlands but, are also spread worldwide carrying the name van de(r) Loo, van (de) Loe. Through regular family get-togethers or the annually published LOO-Kroniek, they maintain strong family ties, as well as a good relationship to the common origin in Wissen.