c. 800 – 1523 absence of feudalism and serfdom in Frisia
This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations.(October 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Frisian Freedom
Fryske Frijheid(West Frisian)
c. 800–1523
Flag
Coat of arms
Map of Frisia in 1300
Status
Autonomous confederation within the Holy Roman Empire
Capital
none, common assemblies held at the Upstalboom at Aurich and later Groningen
Common languages
Old Frisian (later Middle Frisian)
Religion
Roman Catholicism Protestantism
Potestaat
• 800–809
Magnus Forteman
• 819–830
Taco Ludigman
• 830–869
Adelbrik Adelen
• 869–876
Hessel Hermana
• 876–910
Igo Galema
• 986–1000
Gosse Ludigman
• 1150–1167
Saco Reinalda
• 1237–1260
Sicko Sjaerdema
• 1300–1306
Reinier Camminga
• 1306–1313
Hessel Martena
• 1396
Juw Juwinga
• 1399
Odo Botnia
• 1399–1404
Haring Harinxma
• 1399–1410
Sjoerd Wiarda
• 1494–1498
Juw Dekama
Legislature
Opstalboom
Historical era
High Middle Ages
• Karelsprivilege
c. 800
• Arnulf of Holland killed
993
• Henry, Margrave of Frisia murdered, de facto beginning of the Frisian Freedom
1101
• Opstalboom established
1156
• Opstalboom renewed
1361
• Albert III of Bavaria appointed hereditary potestaat
1498
• Frisian Peasant Rebellion defeated
1523
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Frisian Kingdom
County of Frisia under Holland
Lordship of Frisia
County of East Frisia
Ommelanden
Today part of
Friesland
Saterland
Nordfriesland
Helgoland
Frisian freedom (West Frisian: Fryske frijheid; Dutch: Friese vrijheid; German: Friesische Freiheit) was the absence of feudalism and serfdom in Frisia, the area that was originally inhabited by the Frisians. Historical Frisia included the modern provinces of Friesland and Groningen, and the area of West Friesland, in the Netherlands, and East Friesland in Germany. During the period of Frisian freedom the area did not have a sovereign lord who owned and administered the land. The freedom of the Frisians developed in the context of ongoing disputes over the rights of local nobility.
When, around 800, the Scandinavian Vikings first attacked Frisia, which was still under Carolingian rule, the Frisians were released from military service on foreign territory in order to be able to defend themselves against the Vikings. With their victory in the Battle of Norditi in 884 they were able to drive the Vikings permanently out of East Frisia, although it remained under constant threat. Over the centuries, whilst feudal lords reigned in the rest of Europe, no aristocratic structures emerged in Frisia. This freedom was represented abroad by redjeven who were elected from among the wealthier farmers or from elected representatives of the autonomous rural municipalities. Originally the redjeven were all judges, so-called Asega, who were appointed by the territorial lords.[1]
The killing of Arnulf, Count of Holland in 993 is the first sign of the Frisian freedom. This Frisian count was killed in a rebel attempt to compel obedience from his subjects. The murder of another Count Henri de Gras in 1101 is regarded as the de facto beginning of the Frisian freedom. This freedom was recognized by the German King William II on November 3, 1248. He did this after the Frisians aided in the siege of the city of Aachen. Later, Emperor Louis IV repealed these rights and granted Friesland to the County of Holland. In 1417 the status of the Frisians was reaffirmed by Emperor Sigismund.
^Schmidt, Heinrich (1975). Politische Geschichte Ostfrieslands [Political history of East Frisia] (in German). p. 22 ff.
Frisianfreedom (West Frisian: Fryske frijheid; Dutch: Friese vrijheid; German: Friesische Freiheit) was the absence of feudalism and serfdom in Frisia...
The Frisians are an ethnic group indigenous to the coastal regions of the Netherlands, north-western Germany and southern Denmark, and during the Early...
medieval 'Frisians' from whom modern Frisians descend. In the Middle Ages, these Frisians formed the Kingdom of Frisia and later the Frisianfreedom confederation...
the North Frisian islands, for instance, "Frisia" and "Frisians" refer to (the inhabitants of) mainland North Frisia. In Saterland Frisian, the term Fräislound...
The Seignory of Frisia or Seignory of Friesland (West Frisian: Hearlikheid Fryslân, Dutch: Heerlijkheid Friesland) was a feudal dominion in the Netherlands...
historical context is as follows: 600-734 Frisian Dukes 734-1156 Frankish rule 1156-1498 time of Frisianfreedom 1498-1744 rule by dukes and Stadtholders...
Charles the Fat in 885 for saving him from Normans. The Frisianfreedom basically meant a claim of freedom from tax and fief, to defend themselves against the...
in Frisia and northwest Saxony, a region in which the tradition of 'FrisianFreedom' remained strong throughout the Middle Ages. Notable 'peasant republics'...
Kingdom of Lotharingia (855– 959) Duchy of Lower Lorraine (959–) Frisia FrisianFreedom (11–16th century) County of Holland (880–1432) Bishopric of Utrecht...
enjoyed what was known as the Frisianfreedom, where virtually no state authority was exerted on the populace. This freedom was threatened from several...
power was concentrated in the hands of an unaccountable few, including the Frisian nobleman Douwe Sirtema van Grovestins. Still a teenager, William V assumed...
Kingdom of Lotharingia (855– 959) Duchy of Lower Lorraine (959–) Frisia FrisianFreedom (11–16th century) County of Holland (880–1432) Bishopric of Utrecht...
Frisia or East Friesland (German: Ostfriesland; East Frisian Low Saxon: Oostfreesland; Saterland Frisian: Aastfräislound) is a historic region in the northwest...
during this time. It had its own institutions (collectively called the "Frisianfreedom") and resented the imposition of the feudal system and the patriciate...
Kingdom of Lotharingia (855– 959) Duchy of Lower Lorraine (959–) Frisia FrisianFreedom (11–16th century) County of Holland (880–1432) Bishopric of Utrecht...
Kingdom of Lotharingia (855– 959) Duchy of Lower Lorraine (959–) Frisia FrisianFreedom (11–16th century) County of Holland (880–1432) Bishopric of Utrecht...
Kingdom of Lotharingia (855– 959) Duchy of Lower Lorraine (959–) Frisia FrisianFreedom (11–16th century) County of Holland (880–1432) Bishopric of Utrecht...
North Frisian Islands and Heligoland. The region is traditionally inhabited by the North Frisians. The geestland islands along the North Frisian coastline...
rights were adopted from the French period. The constitution included freedom of religion and there were provisions of law and criminal procedure. William...
The County of East-Frisia (Frisian: Greefskip Eastfryslân; Dutch: Graafschap Oost-Friesland) was a county (though ruled by a prince after 1662) in the...
Kingdom of Lotharingia (855– 959) Duchy of Lower Lorraine (959–) Frisia FrisianFreedom (11–16th century) County of Holland (880–1432) Bishopric of Utrecht...
Kingdom of Lotharingia (855– 959) Duchy of Lower Lorraine (959–) Frisia FrisianFreedom (11–16th century) County of Holland (880–1432) Bishopric of Utrecht...
after the force of the old, egalitarian constitution from the time of FrisianFreedom had markedly waned. East Frisia was not under any centralised rule...
Denmark conquered large areas of Frisia. Only Friesland remained for the FrisianFreedom. Friesland was conquered in the 1490s by Duke Albert of Saxony-Meissen...
parties would gain a lasting advantage. Near the end of the conflict, Frisianfreedom was imperiled when a foreign ruler, John of Bavaria who was asked to...
The Frisian Kingdom (West Frisian: Fryske Keninkryk), also known as Magna Frisia, is a modern name for the post-Roman Frisian realm in Western Europe...
930–1262 Society in Iceland established by Norse and Catholic people. Frisianfreedom 800–1523 Territory notably not run under the feudal practices normal...
Global Information
