GELDERN, a town in Rhenish Prussia, on the Niers, 28 m. N.W. of Dusseldorf, at the junction of railways to Wesel and Cologne. Pop. ( 7,006. The town dates from about 11 oo and was an important fortified place ; until 1371 it was the resi dence of the counts and dukes of Gelderland. Its fortifications were strengthened by Philip II. of Spain but they were razed by Frederick the Great, the town having been in the possession of Prussia since 1703. Its industries include the manufactu.e of metal ware, shoes, cigars and silk.