The Castle of Beersel comes into the hands of the Arenberg family through the marriage of Charles-Eugène, 2nd Duke of Arenberg, to Marie-Henriette in 1660. Their daughter, Marie-Thérèse (born in 1666) actually lives in the castle. She marries Louis-Ernest, Count of Egmont, in 1687. The Castle of Beersel is then passed on to Leopold-Philippe, 4th Duke of Arenberg (who died in 1754), a cousin of Marie-Thérèse. The inscription in the castle's CHAPEL CLOCK reminds us of that. The Arenberg family members hardly ever stay at the castle. They do have a number of CONFIDANTS living at the castle to ensure its maintenance. Chaplain Hubert Vellemans spends his days at the castle from about 1730 until his death on 16 August 1750. He is a monk of the Zevenborre priory and receives 200 guilders a year for his services. From about 1756 until his death in 1796, Father Christophorus Franciscus Blanchez stayed at the castle together with his maid. Around 1818, a cotton mill is established in the castle. We can assume that this involved a home weaver who found enough room for a few looms in the large halls. Afterwards, the castle falls into ruin. By 1830, the roofs have all collapsed and the building is left with only a desolate impression of final decay. The princess Marie-Nicolette of Arenberg, married to Count Charles DE MERODE, passes the castle on to the de Mérode family.
