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Pier Gerlofs Donia
Etching of Grutte Pier, from 'Chronycke ofte Historische Geschiedenis van Frieslant' published in 1622.1
Reign 1515–1519
Born 1480, Kimswerd, Frisia
Died 1520
Place of death Sneek, Frisia

Pier Gerlofs Donia (c.1480 – 1520) was a Frisian warrior, pirate and rebel. He is best known by his West Frisian nickname "Grutte Pier" ("Greate Pier" in the Old Frisian spelling), or by the Dutch translations "Grote Pier" and "Lange Pier", or, in Latin, "Pierius Magnus", which referred to his legendary size and strength.

His life is mostly shrouded in legend. Based upon a description now attributed to Pier’s contemporary Petrus Thaborita, the 19th-century historian Conrad Busken Huet wrote that Grutte Pier was

“ a tower of a fellow as strong as an ox, of dark complexion, broad shouldered, with a long black beard and moustache. A natural rough humorist, who through unfortunate circumstances was recast into an awful brute. Out of personal revenge for the bloody injustice that befell him (in 1515) with the killing of kinsfolk and destruction of his property he became a freedom fighter of legendary standing.2 ”

Contents

Early life and family

Grutte Pier was born Pier Gerlofs Donia (Pier Gerlofs), around 1480 in Kimswerd near the city of Harlingen, Wonseradeel in Friesland. Pier Gerlofs was one of at least four children born to Gerloff Piers and Fokel Sybrants Bonga.3 Pier's mother Fokel was the daughter of the Schieringer noblemen Sybrant Doytsesz. Bonga of Bongastate, Kimswerd.4

Pier married Rintze Syrtsema and they had two children, a son named Gerloff and a daughter named Wobble, who were born around 1510. Pier died in 1520, and in 1525, Pier's mother appointed in her will Pier's brother, Sybren, as guardian of Pier's children, who were still minors.35 Pier and Pier's brother-in-law Ane Pijbes (husband of Tijdt Gerlofs), were partners in the farming estate of Meyllemastate in Kimswerd.

Pier was the direct descendant of the Frisian chieftain Haring Harinxma (1323–1404), a Schieringer and potestate of Westergo, and the third cousin of Jancko Douwama.6

Wijerd Jelckama is often described by 18th and 19th century authors as the nephew of Grutte Pier. Contemporary Worp van Thabor identifies him simply as Wierd van Bolsward. Modern authors such as J.J. Kalma7 doubt the nephew connection and Brouwer in the Encyclopedia of Friesland states that Wierd was not Grutte Pier's nephew but instead his "lieutenant".8

Rebellion

Approximately 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) to the north-east of Donia's village of Kimswerd, in the village of Franeker9, the Black Band, a Landsknecht regiment in the service of George, Duke of Saxony was quartered. The regiment was charged with suppressing the civil war between the Vetkopers, who opposed Burgundian and subsequently Habsburg rule, and the Schieringers. The Black Band were notorious as a violent military force; when their pay was insufficient or lacking, they would extract payments from local villagers10 and on 29 January 1515, the Black Band plundered Donia's village, then allegedly raped and killed his wife, Rintze Syrtsema, and burnt to the ground both the village church and Donia's estate.1112 Seeking revenge, Pier started a guerrilla war campaign against the Habsburgs and allied himself with Charles of Egmond, Duke of Guelders (1492–1538), the foremost opponent of the Habsburgs.13

Peasant rebels

Pier's armed band, known as the Arumer Zwarte Hoop (English: Arumer Black Heap, as in "group/mass of"), were pirates mainly active against the Dutch and Burgundians at sea. He managed to captured many English and Dutch ships, mainly on the Zuider Zee (today's ‘IJsselmeer’). In the biggest battle of his career, in 1515, he captured 28 Dutch ships, which earned him the nickname "Cross of the Dutchmen". He then bestowed the title "King of the Frisians" on himself.14 Erasmus criticized Grutte Pier's exploits.15

"De dapperheid van Grote Pier" (The bravery of Grote Pier), anno 1516, Oil on canvas by Johannes Hinderikus Egenberger, (Arnhem 1822 - Utrecht 1897)

Pier targeted ships that travelled the Zuider Zee and was very active in 1517, when he used his "signal ships" to attack ships in the region of the West Frisian coast, to which he transported Geldrian forces, setting them ashore at Medemblik. Pier bore a great hatred for Medemblik and its inhabitants. In earlier years, soldiers from Medemblik cooperated with the Hollandic army commanded by Duke Charles, the future Emperor.16 It was in Medemblik in March 1498 that representatives of the Schieringers met with the Saxon ruler duke Albrecht to request Saxon protection from the Vetkopers — a request that resulted in the Saxon occupation of Friesland.17 On 24 June 1517, Grutte Pier and his Arumer Zwarte Hoop, consisting of some 4,000 soldiers from Frisia and Guelders, sailed to West Frisia, passing Enkhuizen, landing near Wervershoof and advancing to Medemblik. They swiftly captured Medemblik, killing many inhabitants and taking many others prisoner. Some were released on payment of a high ransom. Some of the town's inhabitants fled and found safety at Medemblik Castle. The castle's governor, Joost van Buren, succeeded in keeping the aggressors outside the castle walls. Realizing they would be unable to take the castle, the Arumer Zwarte Hoop plundered the town and set it on fire. As most houses were made out of wood, the town, including the church, monastery and town hall, were completely razed. With this partial victory, Pier and his army stormed Nieuwburg castle and Middleburg Castle, which they plundered and set on fire, leaving them in ruins.

In 1517, the Arumer Zwarte Hoop captured the city of Asperen, slaughtering virtually all its inhabitants. They then used the heavily fortified city as a base until they were driven out by Holland's Stadhouder.18 In response to the attacks on Medemblik and Alkmaar and the failure of the Captain General of Amstelland, Waterland and Gooiland to defend his territories, the Stadhouder of Holland agreed to fit out a war fleet in July 1517. The fleet came under the supreme command of Anthonius van den Houte, Lord of Vleteren, appropriately titled "Admiral of the Zuider Zee". In the name of Charles V, van den Houte announced he would free the region of Frisian and Gelder piracy. Although van den Houte was initially successful, with some of the Frisian vessels being burnt near Bunschoten, Grutte Pier responded by seizing 11 of Holland's ships in a battle off the coast near Hoorn in 1518.19

Shortly after this victory, Pier defeated 300 Hollanders in Hindelopen.20 According to legend, Pier forced his captives to repeat a shibboleth to distinguish Frisians from Hollandic and Lower German infiltrators:

Butter, bread, and green cheese: if you can’t say that, you’re not a real Frisian.21

Grutte Pier was also credited with coining the old Frisian slogan "Leaver dea as slaef" ("Better dead than slave").22

Despite his successes, Pier could not turn the Burgundian/Habsburg tide and he retired, disillusioned, in 1519. His nephew, Wierd Jelckama took over the command of Pier’s forces.23 Pier died peacefully in bed at Grootzand 1224 in the Frisian town of Sneek on 18 October 1520.25 Pier is buried in Sneek in the 15th-century Groote Kerk (also called the Martinikerk).20 His tomb is located on the north side of the church.23

Superhuman strength and size

In 1791, Jacobus Kok wrote that above the porticus of the New City Hall of Leeuwarden, two remarkably large swords were found which were said to have belonged to Grutte Pier and his nephew Wijard Jelckama. Donia was noted for the ability to wield this great sword so efficiently that he could behead multiple people with it in a single blow.26

Today, a great sword that is said to have belonged to Pier is on display at the Fries museum in Leeuwarden. It measures 2.15 metres (7 ft) in length and weighs about 6.6 kilograms (14.6 lb). To have wielded such a weapon, he must have been a man of unusual stature and superior physical strength.27 People who had met him often put his height at least 7ft tall.2829 Pier was alleged to be so strong that he could bend coins using just his thumb, index and middle finger. A huge helmet said to be Grutte Pier's is kept in the town hall of Sneek.30

In popular culture

Statue of Grutte Pier in his hometown of Kimswerd. The line of text on the foot of the statue simply reads in Friese "Grutte Pier".

The legendary status of Grote Pier as a hero or a villain has endured over the centuries with his exploits retold in book, poetry, song and more recently television.

Gysbert Japicx

The seventeenth century Friese poet Gysbert Japicx (1603–1666) wrote in his composition ‘Tjesck Moars See Aengste’ [Grandmothers’s Sea Anguish]31 the following verse in reverence to Grote Pier (eng. trans., Tall Peter):

Grandmothers’s Sea Anguish

Thee I’ll follow, noble Peter,
Thou wert nobler far and greater,
Than the noblest, home-kept lord,
Battling like an ancient roman,
For his country with her foeman,
Whom he chased with fire and sword.

Fiveval

Stories about Pier grew into legends that often share themes with stories of other strong men in Germanic heroic literature. For example, one story says Pier ploughed his land by pulling the plough himself instead of using horses. Another story states that Pier could lift a horse above his head. Fiveval is the name in Frisian of a Frisian legend. It tells the story of Pier killing five Hollandic mercenaries sent to kill him:

Grutte Pier was a very strong fellow. One time he was busy ploughing. He had hitched his horse in front of the plough. It was an old-fashioned plough with a wooden beam. Then a stranger approached and he asked "Do you know where Grutte Pier lives?" Then Grutte Pier undid the plough from the horse. And he took the plow in his right hand and lifted from the ground and then pointed with the plough to the house. And he said: "Look, he lives there." With his other fist he hit himself on the chest and said: "And here he stands."

It is said that Pier killed the mercenaries at Donia Estate, Kimswerd. The place where he killed them is known as Fiveval, (Lit. Five fall) for all five of them fell to the ground.32

Television

In the 1970s, in the Dutch Floris series, Donia was a major character played by actor Hans Boskamp. Although he was a villain and the enemy of the leading character, many children learned about Donia, albeit in a historically incorrect way, and it brought Grutte Pier back into popular culture.33 He was also a major character in the German remake of the series, although he was less popular than in the Netherlands.34

Sport

The Greate Pier rugby club in Leeuwarden, which plays on a regional level, is named after Donia.35 Many other clubs and several ships are named after him. There is also a skutsje sailing cup named after him which is held annually in Friesland.36

References

  1. ^ Pierius Winsemius. Chronycke ofte Historische Geschiedenis van Vrieslant', published in 1622
  2. ^ Cd. Busken Huet, Het land van Rembrand. Studiën over de Noordnederlandsche beschaving in de zeventiende eeuw (2 delen in 3 banden). H.D. Tjeenk Willink, Haarlem 1882-1884
  3. ^ a b Archief Familie Van Sminia, inv. nr 2556. Opschrift: Copia. In dorso (= f. 2v): Last Will and Testament of Fokel, widow of Gerloff Piers
  4. ^ J.J. Kalma. Grote Pier Van Kimswerd (1970), p. 51. ISBN 90-7001-013-5.
  5. ^ Approaches to Old Frisian Philology, By Rolf Hendrik Bremmer, Thomas S. B. Johnston, Oebele Vries, Published 1998, ISBN 904200651X, page 299, Widows in Medieval Frisia
  6. ^ Ancestors of the families Langenberg & Laagland
  7. ^ J.J. Kalma: Grote Pier Van Kimswerd (1970), p. 127–129. ISBN 90-7001-013-5.
  8. ^ Encyclopedia of Friesland, by Jelle Hindriks Brouwer, 1958, p. 333.
  9. ^ Kalma, J.J. (1970). in (ed.) de Tille: Grote Pier Van Kimswerd, 54–66. ISBN 90-7001-013-5. 
  10. ^ "Bûter, Brea en Griene Tsiis". Proto.thinkquest.nl. Retrieved on 2008-10-16.
  11. ^ Kalma, J.J. (1970). in (ed.) de Tille: Grote Pier Van Kimswerd, 67. ISBN 90-7001-013-5. 
  12. ^ "Opzoek naar Maarten van Rossum Heer van Poederoyen en de rest van de wereld". Maartenvanrossum.com. Retrieved on 2008-10-16.
  13. ^ "Van Philips de Goede, Philips de Schone tot Maarten Luther". Engelfriet.net. Retrieved on 2008-10-16.
  14. ^ "Lange Pier". Jan-wessels.nl. Retrieved on 2008-10-13.
  15. ^ The Age of Erasmus , Lectures Delivered in the Universities of Oxford and London, by P.S.Allen, Clarendon Press 1914
  16. ^ "Kasteel van Medemblik in de 16e eeuw". Home.planet.nl. Retrieved on 2008-10-13.
  17. ^ Fryslan, staat en macht 1450–1650: Bijdragen aan het historisch congres te Leeuwarden van 3 tot 5 juni 1998. By Johan Frieswijk et al. Published 1999
  18. ^ Beekman, Martinus. Beschreiving van de Stad en Baronnie Asperen. Vertoonende haare oudheid, gebouwen, hooge, en verdere regeering, ens. Utrecht, Mattheus Visch, 1745.
  19. ^ Sicking, Louis (2004), History of Warfare, Volume 23: Neptune and the Netherlands State, Economy, and War at Sea in the Renaissance, ISBN 9004138501, Page 294
  20. ^ a b Geldersche Volks-Almanak Published 1853
  21. ^ Kellman, Steven G. (2003), Switching Languages: Translingual Writers Reflect on Their Craft, University of Nebraska Press, ISBN 0803227477, Page 10
  22. ^ "Friesekust.nl". Friesekust.nl. Retrieved on 2008-10-16.
  23. ^ a b Kok, Jacobus (1791). "Pier Gerlofs Donia". Vaderlandsch Woordenboek 24 (P–R). Amsterdam: Johannes Allart. 17–21. Retrieved on 2007-09-18. 
  24. ^ Fries Scheepvaart Museum, Object number 1992-257
  25. ^ Kalma, J.J. (1970). in (ed.) de Tille: Grote Pier Van Kimswerd, 50. ISBN 90-7001-013-5. 
  26. ^ Kok, Jacobus (1791). "Pier Gerlofs Donia". Vaderlandsch Woordenboek 24 (P–R). Amsterdam: Johannes Allart. 21. Retrieved on 2007-09-23. 
  27. ^ "Speurtocht naar het zwaard van Grutte Pier". Frieslandevents.nl. Retrieved on 2008-10-19.(Dutch)
  28. ^ "Friesland Holland Nieuws". Friesland-holland-nieuws.nl. Retrieved on 2008-10-16.
  29. ^ "Greate Pier, een echte held - Wij Blijven Hier!". Wijblijvenhier.nl. Retrieved on 2008-10-13. (Dutch)
  30. ^ "SneekPromotion.nl - SNEEK - Bezienswaardigheden". Sneekpromotion.nl. Retrieved on 2008-10-13. (Dutch)
  31. ^ Foreign Quarterly Review, Language and Literature of Friesland, page 617 Tjesck Moars See Aengste Pub 1829 Harvard University v.3 (1828–29)
  32. ^ "Grutte Pier". Fryslân Marketing. Retrieved on 2008-10-19. (Dutch)
  33. ^ http://nieuwburg.alkmaarweb.nl/homepage/show/pagina.php?paginaid=49840 (Dutch)
  34. ^ "Floris" De man van Gent (1969) from IMDB
  35. ^ RC Greate Pier Leeuwarden history (Dutch)
  36. ^ http://www.skutsje-singelier.com/about8.html (Dutch)

External links

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