According to medieval legends, around the year 800 Charlemagne and pope Leo came into conflict with the citizens of Rome. The pope was being attacked and fled the city. It was an army of ‘naked’ Frisians headed by Magnus that retook the citadel and the eternal city. In return Charlemagne offered wealth, weapons, treasure andContinue reading “Magnus’ Choice. The Origins of the Frisian Freedom”
Tag Archives: legends
Ornament of the Gods found in a mound of clay
In the year 516, king Hygelac of the Geats, a tribe in (probably) the southeast of Sweden, raided Frisia. Back then, this part of the Netherlands was impenetrable land with big rivers, little streams, swamps, peat, bog and damping forests covered with moss. Hygelac’s expedition into Frisia was less fortunate, since he was killed andContinue reading “Ornament of the Gods found in a mound of clay”
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, didn’t come from India, as the old legends tell us. A bummer, we know. And, what’s proven yet again in this post, we should listen more often to Led Zeppelin. In particular to their Immigrant Song. Install yourself,Continue reading “We’ll drive our ships to new land”
Weladu the flying blacksmith
Master blacksmith Wayland is well-known from mythology. The blacksmith who was kept captive on a small island in the sea, and escaped from it with self-made wings. The Saxons, Anglo-Saxons, Norwegians, Icelanders, in fact, all the old Germanic peoples had their own medieval stories or artifacts relating to Wayland. Even the Franks did. All, exceptContinue reading “Weladu the flying blacksmith”
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 Hinne Wagenaar reveals quite a startling truth about this Frisian apostle. Some time ago I stumbled upon an article from Hinne Wagenaar, called “Liudger, apostle ofContinue reading “Liudger, the first Frisian apostle”
How a town drowned overnight
Rungholt. A thriving and wealthy town that disappeared overnight in the year 1362. For six centuries only legends told us about what happened to Rungholt: a town submerged in the sea as a punishment of God. According to medieval legends, you could still hear the sound of its bell tower rising from the dark depthContinue reading “How a town drowned overnight”
Legend of Esonstad
When, on a moon-clear night, on top of the dike at Lauwersmeer (lake Lauwers), you look out over the water, you just might see in the distance the spire of the former city of Esonstad above the water. A drowned city, also written as Ezonstad, and in the early-seventeenth century known as Esonstadium. starting pointContinue reading “Legend of Esonstad”
Frisia Coast Trail 