hans faber

Notre Dame of Grou

The ‘First Lady’ of the village of Grou in the province of Friesland, the Netherlands, also named Grytsje of Grou. Archaeologists found her in January 2018, in the village of Grou at Halbertsmaplein Sq. Her grave is dated mid-eighth century. She received the title First Lady because until this find, it was not known peopleContinue reading “Notre Dame of Grou”

The True Pirates of the Caribbean

At the end of the seventeenth century, during the Nine Years’ War, the privateers commissioned by the Dutch Republic and operating from the Province of Zeeland captured booty that surpassed even that of the infamous corsairs of Dunkirk and St. Malo — amounting to some 24 million florins. These Zeeland privateers were known as theContinue reading “The True Pirates of the Caribbean”

Oldest Vessel of the World — The Pesse Canoe

The Pesse Canoe. The world’s oldest known water vessel was discovered near the village of Pesse in the Dutch province of Drenthe. Dated to between 8040 and 7510 BC, it predates even the great cradles of civilization such as Egypt and Mesopotamia. Yes, you read that correctly — feel free to go back and checkContinue reading “Oldest Vessel of the World — The Pesse Canoe”

Legend of Esonstad: One of the Many Sunken Towns

When, on a moonlit night, you stand atop the dyke at Lake Lauwersmeer and gaze out over the water, you might just catch a glimpse of the spire of the lost city of Esonstad shimmering in the distance. A drowned city — also written as Ezonstad, and known in the early seventeenth century as Esonstadium.Continue reading “Legend of Esonstad: One of the Many Sunken Towns”

How to Bury Your Mother-in-Law

Your mother-in-law probably chased your tail during life. But do not be so sure you are free once she is gone. If you are looking for advice on how to stop her spirit from haunting you after death, this blog post is for you. Here is a piece of advice that is over two thousandContinue reading “How to Bury Your Mother-in-Law”

The Women of Anjum, Who Make Hard Men Humble

Late in the afternoon, December 28, 2018. One of the Frisian bastards arrives in the village of Anjum after a 30-kilometer hike along the coast, starting from Holwerd. It had been exactly 21 years since this quiet village was rocked by national news: the discovery of two male corpses buried in the garden of guesthouseContinue reading “The Women of Anjum, Who Make Hard Men Humble”