what is the history behind this first mentioned town?
During the Middle Ages, it became one of the free cities of the county of Loon.
Hasselt
 During the Middle Ages, it became one of the free cities of the county of Loon
who is kiliaen van rensselaer (merchant)? A Dutch diamond and pearl merchant. where are the above mentioned people from? UNANSWERABLE where was this person born? Hasselt, Overijssel, Netherlands.
wiki:5250053
Hasselt [SEP] History
Hasselt was founded in approximately the 7th century on the Helbeek, a tributary of the Demer river. The name Hasselt came from "Hasaluth", which means "hazel wood". During the Middle Ages, it became one of the free cities of the county of Loon (which had borders approximately the same as the current province of Limburg). Hasselt was first named in a document in 1165. In 1232 Arnold IV, Count of Loon gave the city the freedoms like those enjoyed in Liège. Even though the city of Borgloon was the original capital of Loon, Hasselt was to become the biggest city thanks to its favourable setting, and the proximity of the count's castle and Herkenrode in Kuringen.