When re-enactors bring early-medieval Frisia to life, they are often seen wearing a small iron hammer on a leather cord around their neck — symbolizing Mjölnir, the mighty weapon of the Norse god Thor. We regret to inform them that Mjölnir was not at all fashionable along the southern shores of the North Sea —Continue reading “Odin’s Ravens Ruled the Southern Shores. Not the Hammer of Thor”
Author Archives: hans faber
Hengist and Horsa — Frisian Horses From Overseas That Founded the Kentish Kingdom
It is at the inn The Prancing Pony in the village of Bree that the Hobbits find refuge from the screeching Nazgûl on their coal-black horses. It is also here that they encounter Strider, the mysterious wanderer who is later revealed to be Aragorn — future king of the Reunited Kingdom. Horses, wanderers, fugitive royalty,Continue reading “Hengist and Horsa — Frisian Horses From Overseas That Founded the Kentish Kingdom”
“The Man Wants Another Steak!” She Snapped at the Waitress — Hiking the GR20
When thru-hiking, special encounters are part of the experience. One such encounter happened when one of the Frisian bastards completed the GR20 on the island of Corsica in the months of September and October 2018. It is a story that teaches you always to keep an open mind towards every person you meet and notContinue reading ““The Man Wants Another Steak!” She Snapped at the Waitress — Hiking the GR20″
Where Are the Corps and Student Associations? When Do the Corpsbrüder and Frats Rise Up?!
Recently, the regional newspaper Leeuwarder Courant published an article about how the town of Stavoren was tampering with the stones of the grave of King Aldgillis (Walinga 2024), a king of Frisia in the seventh century. This grave used to be the spot where the members of the Frisian student association D.S.S.F.S. Aldgillis of DelftContinue reading “Where Are the Corps and Student Associations? When Do the Corpsbrüder and Frats Rise Up?!”
The Chronicles of Warnia. When History Seems a Fantasy Story
The fate of tribes and their names in the age of the Great Migration, between the fourth and sixth centuries, was anything but certain. Most simply disappeared. Celtic and Germanic peoples alike faded from the stage of history — some crushed by alliances of stronger tribes, others absorbed into new tribes, and still others vanishingContinue reading “The Chronicles of Warnia. When History Seems a Fantasy Story”
Guerrilla in the Polder. The Battle of Vroonen in 1297
What is the use of celebrating only the battles you have won? Feeling proud and superior as a nation over others, with the differences emphasized in the process. Why not follow the example of the Scots? Every year, they commemorate their defeat at the Battle of Culloden on April 16, 1746 — fought between theContinue reading “Guerrilla in the Polder. The Battle of Vroonen in 1297”
The Bishop From Frisia Who Proceeded the Hunger Games
Katniss Everdeen, portrayed by American actress Jennifer Lawrence, is both a survivor and victor of The Hunger Games. She comes from District 12, the impoverished mining region of the country called Panem. In fact, Katniss was never meant to be a tribute in the games. Her younger sister was originally chosen, but Katniss volunteered toContinue reading “The Bishop From Frisia Who Proceeded the Hunger Games”
Stavoren. Balancing on a Slack Rope of Religion, Trade, Land, Water, Holland, and Frisia
For many turbulent centuries, the town of Stavoren was a tightrope walker before it finally settled as a small harbour at the Lake IJsselmeer. Living in retirement from well-to-do owners of white yachts, sailing boats, and other pleasure vessels. Now it looks back on when Saint Odulf arrived in the ninth century to convert theContinue reading “Stavoren. Balancing on a Slack Rope of Religion, Trade, Land, Water, Holland, and Frisia”
Surf on Someone Else’s Turf — Hiking the Rota Vicentina
Boxing Day 2022. The Frisian bastard woke up in the small village of Aljezur in the southwest of Portugal. It was day ten of his hike along the Rota Vicentina, with three more days ahead. Like the Frisia Coast Trail, the Rota Vicentina follows the shoreline. A path shaped by wind, cliffs, and the constantContinue reading “Surf on Someone Else’s Turf — Hiking the Rota Vicentina”
The Deer Hunter of Fallward, and His Throne of the Marsh
Near a terp called Fallward, close to the village of Wremen in the region of Land Wursten, archaeologists uncovered a remarkable site that opens a rare window onto life during the Migration Period — the world of the so-called ‘Old Saxons’ who once inhabited the tidal marshes of the Wadden Sea at the mouth ofContinue reading “The Deer Hunter of Fallward, and His Throne of the Marsh”
Frisia Coast Trail 