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==History==

==History==

{{see also|History of Frisia}}

{{see also|History of Frisia}}

During the middle ages the region of [[Frisia]] formed part of the [[Holy Roman Empire]] but developed a unique system of self-rule based on local popular assemblies. Communities were led by judge-administrators who were drawn, by rotation, from among property owners and nobles.<ref name=Nijdam>{{cite book | last=Nijdam|first=Han|chapter=Preface|editor-last1=Nijdam | editor-first1=Han | editor-last2=Hallebeek | editor-first2=Jan | editor-last3=Jong | editor-first3=Hylkje de | title=Frisian Land Law: A Critical Edition and Translation of the Freeska Landriucht | publisher=Brill | date=2023 | isbn=978-90-04-52641-9 | url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Frisian_Land_Law_A_Critical_Edition_and_/Gu77EAAAQBAJ?kptab=editions&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj-r7e79MmSAxUnREEAHaoeCLEQmBZ6BAgHEAg | page=9}}</ref> Unusually for medieval Europe [[feudalism]] did not develop<ref>{{cite book | last=Bloch | first=Marc | title=Feudal Society | publisher=Taylor & Francis | year=2014 | orig-date= 1st published 1961|isbn=978-1-317-67756-7 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EwhgAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT416|p=259}}</ref> and the region had no lord ruling it.<ref>{{cite book | last=Stein | first=Robert |chapter=Introduction| editor-last1=Stein | editor-first1=R.

During the middle ages the region of [[Frisia]] formed part of the [[Holy Roman Empire]] but developed a unique system of self-rule based on local popular assemblies. Communities were led by judge-administrators who were drawn, by rotation, from among property owners and nobles.<ref name=Nijdam>{{cite book | last=Nijdam|first=Han|chapter=Preface|editor-last1=Nijdam | editor-first1=Han | editor-last2=Hallebeek | editor-first2=Jan | editor-last3=Jong | editor-first3=Hylkje de | title=Frisian Land Law: A Critical Edition and Translation of the Freeska Landriucht | publisher=Brill | date=2023 | isbn=978-90-04-52641-9 | url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Frisian_Land_Law_A_Critical_Edition_and_/Gu77EAAAQBAJ?kptab=editions&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj-r7e79MmSAxUnREEAHaoeCLEQmBZ6BAgHEAg | page=9}}</ref> Unusually for medieval Europe [[feudalism]] did not develop<ref>{{cite book | last=Bloch | first=Marc | title=Feudal Society | publisher=Taylor & Francis | year=2014 | orig-date= 1st published 1961|isbn=978-1-317-67756-7 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EwhgAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT416|p=259}}</ref> and the region had no lord ruling it.<ref>{{cite book | last=Stein | first=Robert |chapter=Introduction| editor-last1=Stein | editor-first1=R.

|editor-last2=Pollmann | editor-first2=J. | title=Networks, Regions and Nations: Shaping Identities in the Low Countries, 1300-1650 | publisher=Brill | year=2010 | isbn=978-90-04-18024-6 | chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d1DfcrqKI6sC&pg=PA4|pp=4-5 }}</ref> This system of self-rule, known as the “[[Frisian freedom]]”, was acknowledged and formally confirmed by several [[Holy Roman Emperors]].<ref name=Nijdam/>

|editor-last2=Pollmann | editor-first2=J. | title=Networks, Regions and Nations: Shaping Identities in the Low Countries, 1300-1650 | publisher=Brill | year=2010 | isbn=978-90-04-18024-6 | chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d1DfcrqKI6sC&pg=PA4|pp=4-5 }}</ref> This system of self-rule, known as the “[[Frisian freedom]]”, was acknowledged and formally confirmed by several [[Holy Roman Emperors]].<ref name=Nijdam/>

From the late 13th century the [[counts of Holland]] attempted to expand into Frisia and managed to annex [[West Friesland (region)|West Friesland]]. The Frisians prevented the loss of any further territory but Count [[Floris V, Count of Holland|Floris V]] nevertheless added to his titles “Lord of Frisia”.<ref name=Wiegand>{{cite book | last=Wiegand | first=Marvin | title=The Reception of Learned Law in Fourteenth- and Fifteenth-Century Frisia | publisher=BRILL | date=2024| isbn=978-90-04-71270-6 | url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Reception_of_Learned_Law_in_Fourteen/O9srEQAAQBAJ?kptab=editions&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi1j9S1-c6SAxUmT0EAHas7DXQQmBZ6BAgGEAk | access-date=2026-02-10 | p=14}}</ref> Although his successors continued to claim the title it was without political reality as the greater part of Frisia continued to be independent under the Frisian freedom.<ref>{{cite book | last=Stein | first=Robert | title=Magnanimous Dukes and Rising States: The Unification of the Burgundian Netherlands, 1380-1480 | publisher=Oxford University Press | year=2017 | isbn=978-0-19-875710-8 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5YEjDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA2|pp=18, 36-37}}</ref>

From the late 13th century the [[counts of Holland]] attempted to expand into Frisia and managed to annex [[West Friesland (region)|West Friesland]]. The Frisians prevented the loss of any further territory but Count [[Floris V, Count of Holland|Floris V]] nevertheless added “Lord of Frisia”.<ref name=Wiegand>{{cite book | last=Wiegand | first=Marvin | title=The Reception of Learned Law in Fourteenth- and Fifteenth-Century Frisia | publisher=BRILL | date=2024| isbn=978-90-04-71270-6 | url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Reception_of_Learned_Law_in_Fourteen/O9srEQAAQBAJ?kptab=editions&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi1j9S1-c6SAxUmT0EAHas7DXQQmBZ6BAgGEAk | access-date=2026-02-10 | p=14}}</ref> Although his successors continued to claim the title it was without political reality as the greater part of Frisia continued to be independent under the Frisian freedom.<ref>{{cite book | last=Stein | first=Robert | title=Magnanimous Dukes and Rising States: The Unification of the Burgundian Netherlands, 1380-1480 | publisher=Oxford University Press | year=2017 | isbn=978-0-19-875710-8 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5YEjDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA2|pp=18, 36-37}}</ref>

The Frisian freedom came to an end at the end of the 15th century as result of a civil war between two Frisian noble factions: the [[Vetkopers and Schieringers]]. The Schieringers requested military support from [[Albert III, Duke of Saxony]] and offered, in exchange, for him to become ”gubernator” of Frisia.<ref name=Nijdam/> Albert’s objective was to acquire the region ansd develop it into a princely state for his family. Between 1495 and 1497 he allowed his mercenary troops to pillage Frisia in order to de-stabilise it and facilitate his take-over of the region. In 1498, Albert persuaded the [[Habsburg]] Holy Roman Emperor, [[ Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor|Maximilian I]], to appoint him as hereditary ”gubernator” and ”potestate” of Frisia. Although this did not legally create an Imperial [[fief]], the package of rights granted to him effectively supported the creation of a princely state. By 1500 he had crushed all Frisian opposition.<ref>{{cite book | last=Mol | first=H. | title=The Frisian Popular Militias between 1480 and 1560 | publisher=Taylor & Francis/Amsterdam University | year=2025 | isbn=978-1-04-079747-1 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LGuLEQAAQBAJ | p=60}}</ref> Albert died that year and his sons, firstly, [[Henry IV, Duke of Saxony|Henry]] and, from 1504, [[George, Duke of Saxony|George]] attempted to build up their nascent state. However, between 1514 and 1515 George was forced to fight a costly war against [[Charles, Duke of Guelders|Charles of Egmond, Duke of Guelders]], who was allied to a number of Frisian towns, which induced George to sell his rights in Frisia to Maximilian’s grandson, the future Holy Roman Emperor [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]].<ref>{{cite book | last=Mol | first=H. | title=The Frisian Popular Militias between 1480 and 1560 | publisher=Taylor & Francis/Amsterdam University | year=2025 | isbn=978-1-04-079747-1 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LGuLEQAAQBAJ | pp=61-62}}</ref>

The Frisian freedom came to an end at the end of the 15th century as result of a civil war between two Frisian noble factions: the [[Vetkopers and Schieringers]]. The Schieringers requested military support from [[Albert III, Duke of Saxony]] and offered, in exchange, for him to become ”gubernator” of Frisia.<ref name=Nijdam/> Albert’s objective was to acquire the region ansd develop it into a princely state for his family. Between 1495 and 1497 he allowed his mercenary troops to pillage Frisia in order to de-stabilise it and facilitate his take-over of the region. In 1498, Albert persuaded the [[Habsburg]] Holy Roman Emperor, [[ Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor|Maximilian I]], to appoint him as hereditary ”gubernator” and ”potestate” of Frisia. Although this did not legally create an Imperial [[fief]], the package of rights granted to him effectively supported the creation of a princely state. By 1500 he had crushed all Frisian opposition.<ref>{{cite book | last=Mol | first=H. | title=The Frisian Popular Militias between 1480 and 1560 | publisher=Taylor & Francis/Amsterdam University | year=2025 | isbn=978-1-04-079747-1 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LGuLEQAAQBAJ | p=60}}</ref> Albert died that year and his sons, firstly, [[Henry IV, Duke of Saxony|Henry]] and, from 1504, [[George, Duke of Saxony|George]] attempted to build up their nascent state. However, between 1514 and 1515 George was forced to fight a costly war against [[Charles, Duke of Guelders|Charles of Egmond, Duke of Guelders]], who was allied to a number of Frisian towns, which induced George to sell his rights in Frisia to Maximilian’s grandson, the future Holy Roman Emperor [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]].<ref>{{cite book | last=Mol | first=H. | title=The Frisian Popular Militias between 1480 and 1560 | publisher=Taylor & Francis/Amsterdam University | year=2025 | isbn=978-1-04-079747-1 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LGuLEQAAQBAJ | pp=61-62}}</ref>

Latest revision as of 23:42, 11 February 2026

Feudal dominion in the Netherlands

The Lordship of Frisia () or Lordship of Friesland (; West Frisian: Hearlikheid Fryslân; Dutch: Heerlijkheid Friesland) was a feudal dominion in the Netherlands established in 1524 when Emperor Charles V conquered that part of Frisia now corresponding to the modern Dutch province of Friesland.

During the middle ages the region of Frisia formed part of the Holy Roman Empire but developed a unique system of self-rule based on local popular assemblies. Communities were led by judge-administrators who were drawn, by rotation, from among property owners and nobles.[1] Unusually for medieval Europe, feudalism did not develop[2] and the region had no lord ruling it.[3] This system of self-rule, known as the “Frisian freedom“, was acknowledged and formally confirmed by several Holy Roman Emperors.[1]

From the late 13th century the counts of Holland attempted to expand into Frisia and managed to annex West Friesland. The Frisians prevented the loss of any further territory but Count Floris V nevertheless added “Lord of Frisia” to his titles.[4] Although his successors continued to claim the title it was without political reality as the greater part of Frisia continued to be independent under the Frisian freedom.[5]

The Frisian freedom came to an end at the end of the 15th century as result of a civil war between two Frisian noble factions: the Vetkopers and Schieringers. The Schieringers requested military support from Albert III, Duke of Saxony and offered, in exchange, for him to become gubernator of Frisia.[1] Albert’s objective was to acquire the region ansd develop it into a princely state for his family. Between 1495 and 1497 he allowed his mercenary troops to pillage Frisia in order to de-stabilise it and facilitate his take-over of the region. In 1498, Albert persuaded the Habsburg Holy Roman Emperor, Maximilian I, to appoint him as hereditary gubernator and potestate of Frisia. Although this did not legally create an Imperial fief, the package of rights granted to him effectively supported the creation of a princely state. By 1500 he had crushed all Frisian opposition.[6] Albert died that year and his sons, firstly, Henry and, from 1504, George attempted to build up their nascent state. However, between 1514 and 1515 George was forced to fight a costly war against Charles of Egmond, Duke of Guelders, who was allied to a number of Frisian towns, which induced George to sell his rights in Frisia to Maximilian’s grandson, the future Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.[7]

Lordship of Friesland about 1524
Map of the Habsburg Netherlands 1559-1648

Charles became emperor in 1519 and continued a long-standing conflict with Charles of Egmond. The Habsburgs, who had inherited the Burgundian Netherlands, wished to expand their territories northward into Frisia and Guelders. By 1522, Charles of Egmond had the upper hand and had taken control of most of Frisia. Over the following two years, however, Charles V reversed the position and conquered an area corresponding approximately to the modern Dutch province of Friesland. In 1524 he erected this territory into the Lordship of Frisia with himself as lord.[8]

When Charles abdicated in 1556, Frisia was inherited by Philip II of Spain with the rest of the Netherlands. In 1566, Frisia joined the rebellion against Spanish rule.

In 1577, George van Lalaing (Count Rennenburg) was appointed Stadtholder of Frisia and other provinces. A moderate, trusted by both sides, he tried to reconcile the rebels with the Crown. But in 1580, Rennenburg declared for Spain. The States of Friesland raised troops and took his strongholds of Leeuwarden, Harlingen and Stavoren.

Rennenburg was deposed and Frisia became the fifth Lordship to join the rebels’ Union of Utrecht. From 1580 onwards, all stadtholders were members of the House of Nassau-Dietz, not of the House of Orange, like the stadtholders of Holland.

When the Batavian Republic was created in 1795, the Lordship of Frisia was abolished as a relic of the Ancien Régime.

Stadtholders of Friesland

[edit]

For Spain
For the States of Friesland
  1. ^ a b c Nijdam, Han (2023). “Preface”. In Nijdam, Han; Hallebeek, Jan; Jong, Hylkje de (eds.). Frisian Land Law: A Critical Edition and Translation of the Freeska Landriucht. Brill. p. 9. ISBN 978-90-04-52641-9.
  2. ^ Bloch, Marc (2014) [1st published 1961]. Feudal Society. Taylor & Francis. p. 259. ISBN 978-1-317-67756-7.
  3. ^ Stein, Robert (2010). “Introduction”. In Stein, R.; Pollmann, J. (eds.). Networks, Regions and Nations: Shaping Identities in the Low Countries, 1300-1650. Brill. pp. 4–5. ISBN 978-90-04-18024-6.
  4. ^ Wiegand, Marvin (2024). The Reception of Learned Law in Fourteenth- and Fifteenth-Century Frisia. BRILL. p. 14. ISBN 978-90-04-71270-6. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
  5. ^ Stein, Robert (2017). Magnanimous Dukes and Rising States: The Unification of the Burgundian Netherlands, 1380-1480. Oxford University Press. pp. 18, 36–37. ISBN 978-0-19-875710-8.
  6. ^ Mol, H. (2025). The Frisian Popular Militias between 1480 and 1560. Taylor & Francis/Amsterdam University. p. 60. ISBN 978-1-04-079747-1.
  7. ^ Mol, H. (2025). The Frisian Popular Militias between 1480 and 1560. Taylor & Francis/Amsterdam University. pp. 61–62. ISBN 978-1-04-079747-1.
  8. ^ Kennedy, James C. (2017). A Concise History of the Netherlands. Cambridge University Press. pp. 98–99. ISBN 978-0-521-69917-4.

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