Category Archives: anglo-saxons

We’ll Drive Our Ships to New Land

In the series Myths of Nations, we disclose to you this time that the Frisians, in fact, did not come from India, as the old legends tell us. A bummer, we know. And, what is proven yet again in this blog post, we should listen more often to Led Zeppelin. In particular, to their ImmigrantContinue reading “We’ll Drive Our Ships to New Land”

Have a Frisians’ Cocktail! A Rich Composition

With the upcoming seasonal festivities at the end of the year, it is appropriate to serve you a flavourful cocktail. It is a cocktail from the list ‘Myths of Nations’, namely the Frisians’ Cocktail. Its recipe is not as old as some people thought it was, or would like it to be, but it isContinue reading “Have a Frisians’ Cocktail! A Rich Composition”

You killed a Man? That’ll Be One Weregeld in Total, Please

Frisia in the High Middle Ages — a region stretching from the (former) River Vlie — located between the Wadden Sea islands of Vlieland and Terschelling in the Netherlands — all the way to the River Weser in Germany. It included areas such as Butjadingen and Land Wursten. The title of this blog post comesContinue reading “You killed a Man? That’ll Be One Weregeld in Total, Please”

Liudger, the First Frisian Apostle

Liudger succeeded where other evangelists failed. He finally managed to convert the pagan Frisians to Christianity, because he “spoke their language”. Did he really? A very thorough study from theologian Hinne Wagenaar reveals quite a startling truth about this Frisian apostle. Some time ago I stumbled upon an article from Hinne Wagenaar, called “Liudger, apostleContinue reading “Liudger, the First Frisian Apostle”

One of History’s Most Enlightening Hikes: That of Bernlef and Ludger

This blog post is not about the Westfrisian writer Hendrik Jan Marsman (1937–2012), better known by his pen name Bernlef. Nor is it about the student association F.F.J. Bernlef in the town of Groningen, the Netherlands. No — this is about the original Bernlef, the bard and harp player who lived in Frisia sometime betweenContinue reading “One of History’s Most Enlightening Hikes: That of Bernlef and Ludger”

Porcupines Bore U.S. Bucks. The Birth of Economic Liberalism

On May 5th, 2018, it was exactly two centuries since Karl Marx was born. When the good man published the first volume of Das Kapital in 1867, he was, in fact, about 1,300 years too late to turn the tide. The ship had already sailed — quite literally. Ships of selfish and ruthless Frisian merchantsContinue reading “Porcupines Bore U.S. Bucks. The Birth of Economic Liberalism”

Finally, King Redbad Made His Point in the European Commission — Via Facebook

“I can not live without the company of my forefathers”, Redbad said in an interview in 718. In 2018 this sentence caused turmoil in the social media and the European Union. Having such an impact 1300 after your death deserves some further investigation, we believe. This article is about a medieval king, freedom of religion,Continue reading “Finally, King Redbad Made His Point in the European Commission — Via Facebook”

The Biography of Aldgisl, Unplugged

Ever heart of Aldgisl? Even if you did, you probably have a hard time separating fact from fiction. For a fact it is the first king of the Dutch lowlands known to have lived. But is Redbad his real son? Follow us in our deep dive into ancient historical sources. Quite recently King Redbad becameContinue reading “The Biography of Aldgisl, Unplugged”