When it comes to the deradicalization of foreign terrorist fighters in modern Western societies, the Frisians — meaning here the present-day regions of Ostfriesland and Land Wursten in Germany, and the provinces of Friesland and Groningen in the Netherlands — have neither a strong track record nor notable expertise to offer. Their only meaningful contributionContinue reading “Terrorist Fighters from the Wadden Sea. The Era of the Crusades”
Tag Archives: history
Lodging Etiquette in Ostfriesland. Land of the First Legally Blondes
Imagine you are hiking the Frisia Coast Trail in northwest Germany. After a long day of walking and searching for shelter, you try your luck at a private home. Before the owner agrees to let you stay the night, you may first be asked to show your silver. And, as if pressing an early versionContinue reading “Lodging Etiquette in Ostfriesland. Land of the First Legally Blondes”
The Boarn Supremacy
In the 8th century the Battle of the Boarn was fought. It was a huge battle between the Frisians and the Franks. The stakes were very high: the supremacy over the north of the Netherlands. According to the sources it took place at the borders of the Boarn (Boorne) or the Bordine or both. TheContinue reading “The Boarn Supremacy”
The Mother of All Dykes
Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to get down and dirty. Nope, this article is not about lesbians. This dyke is not made of flesh and bones, but it is made of dirt, dung and, ok probably ‘bones’. This dyke is actually an old Route 66. A dyke is an artificial slope to regulate waterContinue reading “The Mother of All Dykes”
manual — Making a Terp in Only 12 Steps
This is your DIY manual for enlarging or creating your own terp — an artificial settlement mound or house platform designed to protect against sea or river floods, depending on where it is built. Although terps have been constructed on the tidal marshlands of the Wadden Sea for over 2,600 years, this manual is theContinue reading “manual — Making a Terp in Only 12 Steps”
Medieval Migration Law. A Matter of Liability
Hwasa thene vthemeda husath ieftha howath ieftha oppa sinne werf set, sa skel hi thes wachtia, hwetsa hi deth. Who receives a foreigner in his house or in his court or seats on his yard, shall be responsible for all that he does. This is codified law from around 1250, known as the Brookmerbrief. LiterallyContinue reading “Medieval Migration Law. A Matter of Liability”
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”
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”
Frisia Coast Trail 