Preliminary Programme

Across disciplines, ranging from history, to archaeology, but also for example ecology and physical geography, there is broad consensus that the construction of permanent seawalls (dikes) along the coasts of the Northern-Netherlands will have had major consequences for the landscape.
Yet, it is becoming increasingly more evident, that, whilst evident from various types of sources, that these first centuries of major embankments, roughly between 1000 and 1600, should more be recognized as an era in its own, than as a transitional phase or even, a rather slow event.
There are many uncertainties with respect to the developments of this landscape in this period, and its consequences for the rural economy. This contribution will give a quick overview of what archaeobotanical research can tell us about this region in this era. Arguably more important however, the paper aims to be clear and open about what these types of sources can definitely nót tell us, and which major methodological issues surround archaeobotany, and to some degree archaeology as a whole, when compared to historical sources.
Finally, this contribution come up with some suggestions and questions for the other participants in the session, to find out where different disciplines could, and arguably should, cooperate more often and systematically. (Show less)

Late-medieval Friesland, for a number of reasons not elaborated here, is notoriously poor in written sources. This scarcity, partly the outcome of a then prevailing feud society, gradually comes to an end from 1498 onwards, the year in which the Dukes of Saxony became lords of Friesland. Though only sovereigns during a short period, the Saxon authorities installed a central administration, and in 1504 made Leeuwarden the capital of what today is the Dutch province of Friesland. Since emperor Charles V bought Friesland from their Saxon masters in 1515, making it a part of the Brussels-governed Burgundian Netherlands, the number of sources – mainly administrative, military, taxing and judicial documents – steadily increases. This is also true for the administration of the eleven chartered towns in this region. Perhaps the main generic source to provide information on daily life are city accounts. They not only contain structural and returning incomings and expenses, year after year, but far more than judicial sources - by nature containing incidental affairs, be they criminal or civil – are the mirrors of everyday life often on a daily base. Unfortunately, while legal texts are more or less contiguous from 1550 onwards, city accounts are scarce and in most towns completely absent. Of the larger Frisian towns, only Bolsward and Franeker have accounts reaching back into the 16th century (1582 and 1583 respectively, apart from a summary register of receipts of Leeuwarden council 1524-1542 and a stand-alone city-account from 1543 in Bolsward ). All the other town accounts starting later (1607 Harlingen), (1636 Sneek), (1656 Dokkum as well as Workum). As a result of an all-too active cleaning policy of the city’s archives in 1824 - the accounts of the most important town Leeuwarden have their beginning even later: in 1700!
However, rather in contrast to these dearth of written sources is the existence of the accounts of the Leeuwarden orphanage from 1541 to 1608. Though not the oldest of this kind of charitable institution in the Netherlands, the Leeuwarden accounts in the meantime are the oldest preserved Dutch orphanage accounts. As the orphanage was founded and controlled by the local elite, supplied by the local middle class and the necessary manual work was done by the working class its activities cover all social layers of urban society.
This lecture will go into the importance of this source not only for the daily operations of the orphanage, but more so as reflecting daily life in Leeuwarden as well as giving an idea in how early modern society through this town spread its influence over its rural surroundings in 16th century Friesland. (Show less)