A protective tower, called a "keep", had been built in the 11th century adjacent to the old Roman road in a swampy area.   Gradually, the town of Moers developed near the keep for protection.  The next major development in the area was the abbeys.  in 1160, the Abbot of Werden was Wilhelm Von Moers.  And in 1186, Count Johan Von Moers minted the first coins with a German inscription.

The Moers keep was remodeled and enlarged in the 12th century by successive Counts Von Moers.  in the 13th century it was completed and the entire area surrounded by walls with a moat.  This was during the reign of Albrecht the 1st.  By the 13th century, the town and Counts of Moers had become a regional seat of power.

The Mors family of Moers (yes they dropped the middle "e") were powerful in the 14th and early 15th centuries.  From 1414 to 1463, Dietrich Von Mors was Archbishop of Cologne, Duke of Westphalia, and Count of Arnsberg.  His brother, Frederick, was Count de Mors, and brother John married the heiress of Mahlbery-Lahr.  In 1450, the House of Mors was opposed by that of Hoya and lost most of its power in the area.

In 1586 the town of Moers was invaded by Spain which controlled it until 1597.  The Spaniards added a double moat to the castle and modernized it.  The last Mors, Countess Mors, died in 1600 with no surviving heirs and the properties came under the control of Count William of Neuenahr.

NOTE: Moers is now a modern city of 40, 000 in Germany, 20 miles from the border with Holland.  What remains of the castle after sieges and fires, is a museum.  Summer plays/musicals are performed in the courtyard.

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