Frisians
Frisian settlement area
Total population
1,500,000 (est.)[citation needed] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 661 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (769 × 697 pixel, file size: 128 KB, MIME type: image/png) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Frisians ...
Regions with significant populations
Frisia (comprising parts of The Netherlands, Germany and Denmark)
Languages
Frisian, Dutch, German, Low Saxon
Religions
Predominantly Protestant Christian
Related ethnic groups
Dutch, Afrikaners, English, Flemings, Germans, Danes

The Frisians are an ethnic group of northwestern Europe, inhabiting an area known as Frisia. They are a Germanic people. Satellite view of the German Bight (the Frisian Coast). ... Frisian is a Germanic group of closely related languages, spoken by about half a million members of Frisian ethnic groups living on the southern fringes of the North Sea in the Netherlands and Germany. ... Low Saxon (in Low Saxon, Nedersaksisch, Neddersassisch, Plattdüütsch or Nedderdüütsch) is any of a variety of Low German dialects spoken in northern Germany and the Netherlands. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Afrikaners (sometimes known as Boers) are white South Africans, predominantly of Calvinist German, French Huguenot, Friesian and Walloons descent who speak Afrikaans. ... The English are an ethnic group and nation primarily associated with England and the English language. ... Flemings (Dutch: Vlamingen) are inhabitants of Flanders in the widest sense of the term, i. ... This article is 150 kilobytes or more in size. ... Satellite view of the German Bight (the Frisian Coast). ...

History

In Roman times

The Frisians were able to form a treaty with the Romans at the River Rhine in 28, avoiding conquest. But sixteen years later, when taxes became repressive, they hanged the tax collector and defeated the Romans under Tiberius at the Battle of Baduhennawood. The Frisii were known and respected by the Romans and written about by several sources. Tacitus wrote a treatise about the Germanic peoples in 69, describing the habits of the Germanic people, as well as listing numerous tribes by name. ^[1] Of the many tribes mentioned, the Frisians are the only ones that have preserved their ancient name. ^[2] For other uses, see number 28. ... This article is about the year 69. ...

Friesland had been early settled, with evidence of terp-building, the distinctive raised settlements, starting in 700 BC. Frisii where mentioned by Roman historian Tacitus^[3] and, before him, by Pliny the Elder^[4]. According to inscriptions found in Roman Britain ^[5] they served the Roman Army and used frisiavones as a synonym. Expansion to the south-west occurred probably as early as 70 AD, when the westernmost parts of the rivermouth were abandoned by the Canninefates in the aftermatch of the Batavian revolt by Julius Civilis. Emigration to Flanders ^[6] and Kent ^[7] happened peacefully within Roman jurisdiction and probably reached a height in 250s, due to heavy flooding. Around 290 AD Constantius Chlorus mentioned Frisians among the pirates that raid Britain, but in the records the Saxons took over this reputation in the fourth century. This coincide with archeological evidence that habitation of the original area remained scarce for about 150 years and only recovered in 400s. It has been suggested that by then a part of the Frisians had already merged with the Saxons, to whom they were closely related. The Frisian language remains the closest surviving language to English. ^[8] Terp (plural terpen) is a Frisian term for a hillock, mound or knoll used for refuge from floods. ... Centuries: 9th century BC - 8th century BC - 7th century BC Decades: 750s BC 740s BC 730s BC 720s BC 710s BC - 700s BC - 690s BC 680s BC 670s BC 660s BC 650s BC Events and Trends 708 BC - Spartan immigrants found Taras (Tarentum, the modern Taranto) colony in southern Italy. ... This article is about the historian Tacitus. ... Pliny the Elder: an imaginative 19c portrait. ... The Roman army is the set of land-based military forces employed by the Roman Kingdom, Roman republic and later Roman empire as part of the Roman military. ... The Frisiavones (also Frisævones or, to distinguish more explicitly from the Frisians, Frisiabones) is a Germanic tribe usually considered as a southern subdivision of the Frisians that came into the scope of Roman domination but mentioned by Pliny the Elder as being another tribe next to the Frisii. ... Centuries: 1st century BC - 1st century - 2nd century Decades: 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s - 70s - 80s 90s 100s 110s 120s Years: 65 66 67 68 69 - 70 - 71 72 73 74 75 Events The building of the Colosseum starts (approximate date). ... Canninefates or Canenefatae comes from Canene (Latin: onion) and fatae (Latin: lords). ... The Batavii (or Batavi, Batavians) were a Germanic, or possibly Celtic tribe reported by Julius Caesar and Tacitus to have lived around the Rhine delta, in the area which is currently the Netherlands. ... The Conspiracy of Julius Civilis, completed in 1661 by Rembrandt. ... This article is about the county in England. ... Centuries: 2nd century - 3rd century - 4th century Decades: 200s - 210s - 220s - 230s - 240s - 250s - 260s - 270s - 280s - 290s - 300s Years: 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 Events Crisis of the Third Century End of Yayoi era and beginning of Kofun period, the first part of the... Centuries: 4th century - 5th century - 6th century Decades: 350s - 360s - 370s - 380s - 390s - 400s - 410s - 420s - 430s - 440s - 450s Years: 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 Events: Constantine III seizes control of the Roman garrison in Britain, declares himself emperor, and crosses into Gaul. ... Frisian is a Germanic group of closely related languages, spoken by about half a million members of Frisian ethnic groups living on the southern fringes of the North Sea in the Netherlands and Germany. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

The Roman historian Tacitus, in his Germania, mentioned the Frisians among people he grouped together as the Ingvaeones. Two different types, or classes are mentioned by Tacitus, the maiores Frisii and the minores Frisii. Divided by the soil of their farmlands, the maiores Frisii or Clay Frisians populated fertile clay soil increasing the size of their harvests, livestock and even their posture. The small and relatively unhealthy minores Frisii (Sand Frisians) farmed on sand lands, and, consequently, their crops lacked size or number compared to those of the maiores Frisii. According to Tacitus even the armies of the maiores were larger and better equipped. Gaius Cornelius Tacitus Publius (or Gaius) Cornelius Tacitus (c. ... Map of the Roman Empire and Germania Magna in the early 2nd century, with the location of some Germanic tribes as described by Tacitus. ... Also referred to as Ingaevones, North Sea Germans (Ingwäonen, Nordsee-Germanen in German). ... Gaius Cornelius Tacitus Publius (or Gaius) Cornelius Tacitus (c. ...

They were probably a people of seafarers, the North Sea spanning from Britain to Eastern Denmark, was referred to as the Mare Frisia at that time. Small groups of Frisians settled the surrounding lands and their settlements have been traced to England, Scotland, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, France and obviously to The Netherlands. The North Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean, located between the coasts of Norway and Denmark in the east, the coast of the British Isles in the west, and the German, Dutch, Belgian and French coasts in the south. ... Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: God Save the King/Queen Capital London (de facto) Largest city London Official language(s) English (de facto) Unification    - by Athelstan AD 927  Area    - Total 130,395 km² (1st in UK)   50,346 sq mi  Population    - 2006 est. ... Motto: (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity1 Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official language(s) English, Gaelic, Scots2 Government  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - UK Prime Minister Tony Blair MP  - First Minister Jack McConnell MSP Unification    - by Kenneth I 843  Area    - Total 78,772 km... Motto: Je Maintiendrai (Dutch: Ik zal handhaven, English: I Shall Uphold) Anthem: Wilhelmus van Nassouwe Capital Amsterdam1 Largest city Amsterdam Official language(s) Dutch2 Government Parliamentary democracy Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Beatrix  - Prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende Independence Eighty Years War   - Declared July 26, 1581   - Recognised January 30, 1648 (by Spain...

Their territory followed the coast of the North Sea from the mouth of the Rhine river up to that of the Ems, their eastern border according to Ptolemy's Geographica. Pliny the Elder states in Belgica that they were conquered by the Roman general Drusus in 12 BC, after several uprisings that have been mentioned by Tacitus. The most noted of these is their partake in the Batavian rebellion. Thereafter the Frisians largely sank into historical obscurity, until coming into contact with the expanding Merovingian and Carolingian empires. The River Rhine (Dutch: ; French: ; German: ; Italian: ; Romansh: ) is one of the longest and most important rivers in Europe at 1,320 kilometres (820 miles), with an average discharge of more than 2,000 cubic meters per second. ... // For the river in Hampshire, see River Ems. ... A medieval artists rendition of Claudius Ptolemaeus Claudius Ptolemaeus (Greek: ; c. ... Pliny the Elder: an imaginative 19c portrait. ... Bust of Nero Claudius Drusus, in the Musée du Cinquantinaire, Brussels Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus, born Decimus Claudius Drusus and variously called Drusus, Drusus I or Drusus the Elder (14 January 38 - 9 BC) was the younger son of Livia, wife of Augustus Caesar, and her first husband, Tiberius... Centuries: 2nd century BC - 1st century BC - 1st century Decades: 60s BC 50s BC 40s BC 30s BC 20s BC - 10s BC - 0s 10s 20s 30s 40s Years: 17 BC 16 BC 15 BC 14 BC 13 BC 12 BC 11 BC 10 BC 9 BC 8 BC 7 BC... Combatants Batavians Cananefates Frisii Lingones Treverii Roman Empire Commanders Gaius Julius Civilis Brinno Julius Tutor Marcus Hordeonius Flaccus Claudius Labeo Munius Lupercus Quintus Petillius Cerialis The Batavian rebellion took place in the Roman province of Germania Inferior between 69 and 70. ... There are other articles with similar names; see Merovingian (disambiguation). ... Also see: France in the Middle Ages. ...

In the 5th century, during this period of historical silence, many of them no doubt joined the migration of the Anglo-Saxons who went through Frisian territory to invade Great Britain, while those who stayed on the continent expanded into the newly-emptied lands previously occupied by the Anglo-Saxons. By the end of the sixth century the Frisians occupied the coast all the way to the mouth of the Weser and spread farther still in the seventh century, southward down to Dorestad and even Bruges. This farthest extent of Frisian territory is known as Frisia Magna. Satellite view of the German Bight (the Frisian Coast). ... The famous parade helmet found at Sutton Hoo, probably belonging to King Raedwald of East Anglia circa 625. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Bruges called Brugge by its native Dutch language name which assumedly used to signify landing stage, is the capital of the province of West Flanders in present-day Flanders, the Flemish Region of Belgium. ...

The empire that came in to being after the fall of the Western Roman Empire was governed by a king or a duke. The earliest document referring to an independent state ruled by a king is dated 678. Early attempts to Christianize Frisia were unsuccessful in converting the fierce pagan Frisians and various monks were murdered or banished, such as the legendary example of the murder of Bonifatius in Dokkum. King Radbod was even able to beat the mighty Charles Martel in 714 to preserve independence. Twenty years later Charles Martel got his revenge and effectively subjugated the entire Frisian empire. Christianity was also enforced by the Christian Franks and in Utrecht a Bishop was installed to see to Christian affairs in Frisia. Not until the early 800s did they fully reclaim their independence from the Frankish grip. Christianity had however taken root and had been adopted by most Frisians. The Western Roman Empire is the western half of the Roman Empire after its division by Diocletian in 286. ... Bonifatius can be interpreted as any of the following: Saint Boniface, an 8th centry English missionay, bishop and martyr Bonifacius, a 5th century Roman general and governor Nine popes by this name, see List of Popes ... Several kings named Radbod (Frisian Redbod) were king of the Frisians, (dux in the Merovingian chronicles). ... For the 13th century titular King of Hungary, see Charles Martel dAnjou. ... For the 13th century titular King of Hungary, see Charles Martel dAnjou. ...

Kings or Dukes of Friesland

The princes of the Frisians in the early Middle Ages were:

• Folcwald
• Finn
• Sibbelt
• Ritzard
• Aldegisel (d. 680)
• Radbod, also known as Redbad (680–719)
• Poppo (719–734)

The last three were certainly historical figures. The first four may be only legendary. What their exact title was depends on the source. Frankish sources tend to call them dukes; other sources often call them kings. Folcwald is the father of Finn. ... Events October 10 - Battle of Kerbela November 12 - The Sixth Ecumenical Council opens in Constantinople The Bulgars subjugate the country of current-day Bulgaria Pippin of Herstal becomes Mayor of the Palace Umayyad caliph Muawiyah I succeeded by Yazid I ibn Muawiyah Erwig deposes Wamba to become king of the... Radbod (d. ... Events The church of Nubia transfers its allegiance from the Eastern Orthodox Church to the Coptic Church. ... Events Births Deaths Bilge Khan, Gokturk emperor Categories: 734 ...

Friesland in the Middle Ages

Freedom of the Frisian People, Frisian Law

In the 8th century, Charlemagne freed the people of Friesland from swearing fealty to foreign overlords "That all Frisians would be fully free, the born and the unborn, so long as the wind blows from heaven and the child cries, grass grows green and flowers bloom, as far as the sun rises and the world stands". This is from a 12th century law text ^[9] written in Old Frisian using the poetic saga-style of Scandinavian epics. There are a substantial number of existing Frisian law texts and some of these have yet to be studied. There is currently a Frisia Project at the University of Amsterdam that is studying the ancient history of Friesland. From Athenaeum Illustre to University In January 1632 two internationally acclaimed scientists, Caspar Barlaeus and Gerardus Vossius, held their inaugural speech in the Athenaeum Illustre - the illustrious school - which had its seat in the 14th-century Agnietenkapel. ...

But the tantalising tidbits of Frisian history that are already known reveal a people not much given to making their mark on history, except when provoked, and then fighting with a legendary fierceness to protect their freedom.

Frisian Migrations

The Frisian people also migrated to other areas in Europe. Migrations to England during the early middle ages (along with the Angles, Saxons and Jutes) have been particularly well characterized through genetics, linguistics, and archeology. ^[10] The Frisian language has much in common with Old English. White cliffs of Dover in England White cliffs of Rugen down the Baltic coast from Schleswig The Angles is a modern English word for a Germanic-speaking people who took their name from the cultural ancestor of Angeln, a modern district located in Schleswig, Germany. ... For other uses, see Saxon (disambiguation). ... Jutland peninsula The Jutes were a Germanic people who are believed to have originated from Jutland in modern Denmark and part of the Frisian coast. ...

Modern history

Satellite view of the German Bight.

The modern remnants of Frisia Magna are small and scattered. Most of it became dominated by its expanding neighbors: the Saxons (who were moving north and west) and the Franks (who were pushing north and east). Western and Middle Frisia are solidly within the modern state of the Netherlands, which now includes the "heartland" of the Frisians from the North Sea coast from Alkmaar in the modern province of Noord-Holland, along the coasts of the modern provinces of Friesland and Groningen, and up to the mouth of the Ems. Culturally, it has shrunk down to the province of Friesland alone. The Frisian language is now spoken there and in parts of the Wadden Sea islands of Terschelling and Schiermonnikoog (West Frisian language), in the German municipality of Saterland (Saterland Frisian language) and in parts of the German district North Frisia (North Frisian) on the coast of Jutland. North Frisia language is under heavy pressure from Low German, Standard German, and Danish and faces possible extinction. The East Frisian Low Saxon (a dialect of the Low Saxon) is spoken in East Frisia. Image File history File links German_Bight. ... Image File history File links German_Bight. ... For other uses, see Saxon (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Franks (disambiguation). ... Accijnstoren, Alkmaar Alkmaar is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands, in the province of Noord Holland. ... Capital Leeuwarden Queens Commissioner drs. ... The flag of Groningen Groningen is the northeast province of the Netherlands with a typical dialect (Gronings) with regional nuances. ... Frisian is a Germanic group of closely related languages, spoken by about half a million members of Frisian ethnic groups living on the southern fringes of the North Sea in the Netherlands and Germany. ... Satellite image of the southwestern part of the Wadden Sea. ... Terschelling (Frisian: Skylge) is a municipality and an island in the northern Netherlands, one of the West Frisian Islands. ... Schiermonnikoog (Frisian: Skiermûntseach) is a municipality and an island in the northern Netherlands, one of the West Frisian Islands. ... The West Frisian language (Frysk) is a language spoken mostly in the province of Fryslân in the north of the Netherlands. ... Saterland (Saterland Frisian: Seelterlound) is a municipality in the German federal state of Lower Saxony. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... North Frisia is the northernmost portion of Frisia, located primarily in Germany. ... North Frisian dialects North Frisian is a minority language of Germany, spoken by about 10,000 people in North Frisia. ... Jutland Peninsula Jutland (Danish: Jylland; German: Jütland; Frisian Jutlân; Low German Jötlann) is a peninsula in northern Europe that forms the only non-insular part of Denmark and also the northernmost part of Germany, dividing the North Sea from the Baltic Sea. ... Low German (also called Plattdeutsch, Plattdüütsch or Low Saxon) is a name for the regional language varieties of the West Germanic languages spoken mainly in Northern Germany where it is officially called Niederdeutsch (Low German), and in Eastern Netherlands where it is officially called Nedersaksisch (Low Saxon). Low refers... German (called Deutsch in German; in German the term germanisch is equivalent to English Germanic), is a member of the western group of Germanic languages and is one of the worlds major languages. ... East Frisian Low Saxon, is a West Low German dialect spoken in the Eastern Friesland peninsula of northwestern Lower Saxony. ... Low Saxon (in Low Saxon, Nedersaksisch, Neddersassisch, Plattdüütsch or Nedderdüütsch) is any of a variety of Low German dialects spoken in northern Germany and the Netherlands. ... The landscape to the north of Greetsiel, in East Frisia. ...

See also

• Frisia
• Frisian language
• Frisian Islands
• List of Frisian Given Names

Satellite view of the German Bight (the Frisian Coast). ... Frisian is a Germanic group of closely related languages, spoken by about half a million members of Frisian ethnic groups living on the southern fringes of the North Sea in the Netherlands and Germany. ... Frisian Islands (without the islands in the german district Dithmarschen and in Denmark) The Frisian Islands form an archipelago in northwestern Europe that spreads across the coasts of three countries, from west to east, The Netherlands and Germany. ... There are very few surviving early Mediaeval Frisian names. ...

External links

• The Frisian Meeting Place

References