3. Feudal Genk

During the 6th and 7th centuries, christianisation began and foundations were laid via an all-important infrastructure like the establishment of abbeys, they instigated the slow and intensive christianisation of the population.

During this time, Genk came under the influence of the convent of Munsterbilzen. Langerlo was barely 5 kilometres distant from this convent. It is certain that from the 9th century there was a wooden place of worship in Genk. Excavations near the St.-Martinus church in 1956 and in 2000 have confirmed it. After Charlemagne's death and the Verdun Treaty in 843 the Frankish Empire was divided into three parts. This was the beginning of the feudal era. From the 10th century Genk was part of the county of Loon. However, the very first mention of Genk is made in a deed of gift dating from 13th December 1108. At the time Count Adolph of Saphenberg donated the tithes of “GENECHE” amongst other people to Rolduc Abbey.

In the Kempen the feudal system was never structured on a grand scale. The abbeys did organise their domains here, but the feudal lords never interfered in the exploitation on a serious level. The barren sandy soil with the sporadic valleys here and there - like for example the the Dorpsbeek valley in Genk-Centre (the Village) - saw to it that the feudal system did not really get off the ground here..

Except for some Kempish domains - like e.g. Vogelsanck in Zolder - Kempish villages belonged to the church. The Loon Counts allowed some abbeys to be established (Herckenrode and Averbode among others).  The last Loon Count Louis IV (1323-1336) died without any lawful heirs and the war of succession ensued. In 1365 this led to the annexation of the Loon county by the Liège Bishopric. This Bishopric which had had the princely power since 980 in the feudal estate, remained until the French Revolution. Genk and the various hamlets belonged to the Liège Bishopric from the 14th century. The Liège Bishopric maintained neutrality, but it did not have the means to do so by force of arms. In 1542 the prince-bishop had an army of about 6000 (supported by a cavalry regiment) but the army was soon disbanded for lack of money. The result was that foreign armies could pass through the Bishopric . Between 1594 and 1609 bands roamed around, mostly soldiers and hirelings who had not been paid regularly because of the financial financiële situation of the Spanish government and the Southern Netherlands. That is why they forcefully demanded money and goods from the local population.

In the Kempen, where there were few cities of any significance, the villages and hamlets were isolated and easy prey for the plunderers. To defend themselves against the violence of the army and the bands of robbers, they built entrenchments (in which they could literally entrench themselves).
There were at least seven entrenchments in Genk, which first served as a defence against the Spanish troops and later against the outlawed Lorraine troops.

Nowadays in Waterschei there are still the , motruïnes terp ruins remnants of what must have been a primitive peat tower. Just like the entrenchment, a peat tower served as a means of defence.
The Waterschei peat tower probably dates from the 14th or 15th century and was part of the Stalengoed, a feudal estate the tenant farmlaathoeve of which was called laathoeve ‘Wijndecke’ (mentions date as far back as 1440). In 1505 we see the name ‘Staelen’. A long history of this feudal estate follows with various landlords.