Learning page: Dutch Medieval Profiles

Date: 0100 to 1500
Location: Nederland
Surnames/tags: Nederland Medieval Netherlands

Contents 1 Dutch Medieval Profiles 1.1 Records 1.2 Birth & Death 1.3 Heeren, Ridders, Schildknaap 1.4 Legends, Myths and Phony records 1.5 Dutch Medieval Sources 1.6 Oorkondes 1.7 Research 2 Dutch Medieval Places 3 Not Netherlands 3.1 Gelre 3.2 Holland 3.3 Brabant

Dutch Medieval Profiles

This is a learning page about dutch Medieval Profiles.

In wikitree the name "pre-1500" and "Medieval" is interchangebly used. All profiles between the year 0 and 1500 are grouped together in this category. Wikitree does not allow any profiles that are B.C.

Records

The records we usually refer to are in English called "Charters" and in dutch called "Oorkondes" or "Regesten."

Birth & Death

The dutch pre-1500 profile needs a little different approach then the Post-1500 profiles. In this era people have no birth records, but they suddenly appeared in the records, and then at some point they dissappeared from the records. Many times there are no death records.

Many medieval geneagrams (abbreviate family trees) list the year they first appear and the last year they appeared in the records. Pay attention to this: For example "Gijsbert Uten Goy 1277-1299" does not refer to the fact that he was born in 1277. Instead 1277 was the first time he was listed in the records.

Birth Estimate: Usually 15-30 years before they first appeared in the records. Depending on the preference of the profile manager. Other things are usually considered, such as a dates the parents are listed in the records or when their children first appear in the records.

Death Estimate This is either a specific year/date when they last appeared in the records, then we add to this date "After". Or if we have a date when their heir was first listed with their inheritance then it would be this date and we can add "Before" to that date.

Example: Dirk van Voorne (abt.1170-1228)

• Dirk first appeared in the records in 1198. His father last appeared in the record in 1188. So we can estimate his birthyear 15-30 years before his first appearance maybe some time between 1168-1184. In this the profile writer picked est. 1170 AD.
• In this profile Dirk van Voorne was named "Theodericus dominus de Voren" in 1215 AD. Theodoricus is a latin name for Dirk. Dominus means Lord ("Heer"), which is an expression for ruler. So he was ruler of Voorne in 1215 AD.
• The last time he was listed in the records was a charter (oorkonde) of around 1220-1226.
• The first time his son was listed as as dominus de Voorne was in 1228 AD. So we can esimate his death year between 1220-1228, probably 1227 or so.

Therefore his estimated birth year is 1170 AD and his estimate death year is 1227.

Heeren, Ridders, Schildknaap

A lot of the charters are in latin. We want you to be familiar with a few latin words that may apply to your profile:

Dominus This is another word for "Ruler of", best translated as "Lord of" or in dutch "Heer". For example Ghiselbertus Uten Goye was in 1257 called "Dominus Ghiselbertus Uten Goie." This means he was ruler over the area of Uten Goye. Sometimes these rulers rule from a castle. Other times they rule over a city or town.

Note: But they usually don't actually own the property. They lease the properties from the Counts or Duchess and have to pay them and annual fee. In dutch this is called "Beleend'. You see a lot of Knights "receiving" a property and then right away they dedicate it to their Count or Duchess. There are entire books dedicated to track the leen (leases). Sometimes referred to as 'Leenkamer."

Many times the town, city or castle is used as the extention of their name. The dutch word "van" means from or of. For example Eustachius van Brakel was from the town of Brakel and ruled from the castle of Brakel. At that time "van Brakel" did not refer to his last name, instead to the place and castle he was from. His descendends use "van Brakel" eventhough not all of them lived in Brakel. Sometimes when a nobel is given a different property as inheritance, they change their names to"van" <Castle/Property>. For example Dirk van Voorne (1170-1228) was lord of Voorne. His son Hendrik was the next lord of Voorne. Dirks son Hugo was given Heenvliet. Therefore after Hugo received Heenvliet, Hugo started calling himself "Hugo van Heenvliet (1277)." His descendends also called themselves "van Heenvliet."

I have seen some people translate "Heer" from dutch to the english as "Gentleman." Gentleman is also means "Heer", but this is not the correct translation. The correct one is "Heer" = "Lord."

Militis, Nobilis: Many times when we read through the latin records, names are followed by a title. This can be for example "Militis" or "Nobilis." These are both titles for Knight. Literally Militis means soldier (the word military is derived from this) and Nobilis, means nobel. In dutch "Knight" is "Ridder". Whenever these words are used, you can use in the prefix "Ridder" in your profile. You could also add the occupation "Ridder" sticker.

Famuli Many times we also come across a title in dutch records called "Knape," in latin "Famuli", which means servant. This is an abbriviation of "Schildknaap," which means Armour Bearer. This would be someone in training to become a Knight. However not all nobels were required to reach the level of knighthood. Some stayed "Knape" until their death. In the 13th century "Knape" became a real title and there as a definitive difference between the "Ridders" and the "Knape." If someone is a Knape and never became a Knight, you can use Knape in the prefix.

Frater: Frater means brother. This term comes in very handy when you are trying to reconstruct family connections. For example Dirk van Voorne and Floris van Voorne are listed in 1174 AD like this: "Florentius de Voern et frater eius Theodericus". So they are clearly brothers. Another example is Willem van Horne and Engelbert van Horne are listed like this in 1251 AD: "Willelmus dominus de Outena frater suus E(ngelbertus)." This means: Engelbert is a brother of Willem lord of Altena.

Filius/Filio: Filius means son. For example Floris van Voorne is listed in 1190 as follows: "Hugo f(ilius). Florentii". This means Floris had a son named Hugo.

Legends, Myths and Phony records

One of the challenges with the dutch pre-1500 genealogies is that in the 1600s many history writers, wrote fantasy rich mythological genealogies. Their goal was to prove their descendecy of the nobels of old. We can find these writings all over genealogies claiming to be fact. However a genealogy written in 1600 about people that lived in 1000 AD can not be considered a true "source." The true sources from the 1000 AD period is charters (oorkondes) that were written during that era. If you find a profile that is based on phony sources, you can add "Uncertain Existence" at the top and/or add the "was a Mythical Person" sticker.

Below are some examples of these:

Phony Source	Claim	Fact
A.W.K. Voet van Oudheusden, Historische Beschrijvinge van Culemborg - Graven van Teisterband, Uitgever: J.H. Vonk van Lynden, Uitgegeven: 1753	The counts of Culemborg descended from Diederik van Kleef 711 AD (No phony profiles)	The first record in charters (oorkondes) of Culemborg ancestors is Rudolphus van Bosinchem mentioned in a oorkonde of 1217 AD.
Abraham Kemp, Leven der doorLuchtige Heren van Arkel ende Jaar-Beschryving der stad Gorinchem, Paulus Vink Boek Verkoper, 1656	In 641 AD Heymans van Arkel was the oldest descend of the van Arkels. "Arkel" is derived from the old Roman Herculus Temple in that place, when the H was dropped. (Phony profile:Heijman van Arkel (640AD))	The first record in the oorkondes of Arkel ancestors is Herbaren van der Lede listed in a oorkonde (charter) of 1143 AD
Johan Veely, Johan Tongerloo, en Jasper Doll Batavia Illustra 1685	641 AD Jan van Arkel	The first record in the oorkondes of Arkel ancestors is Herbaren van der Lede listed in a oorkonde (charter) of 1143 AD
Jacob van Meurs Beschryvingh der Neder-landen; soo uyt Louis Guicciardijn als andere vermaerde schrijvers kortelijk voorgestelt, en met nieuwe bysonderheeden, t' zedert haeren tijdt voorgevallen, doorgaens verrijkt: Hierbenevens sijn d'aenmerkkelijkste steden met haere aftekeningen verçiert, Volume 2, 1660	the van Heusden descended from the Robrecht of Teisterbant 785 AD (Phony profile: Robrecht of Teisterbant (785-857))	The first ancestor was Herman (Heusden) van Heusden who lived around 1144 AD and listed in records of around 1212 AD.
A.W.K. Voet van Oudheusden, Historische Beschrijvinge van Culemborg - Graven van Teisterband, Uitgegeven: 1753 (blz. 2)	Descendcy of the family van Heusden goes down to Diederik van Kleef, son of Parcival de Graal Ridder 750 AD (Phony profile: Parzival de Graalridder (625AD))	The first ancestor was Herman (Heusden) van Heusden who lived around 1144 AD and listed in records of around 1212 AD.
Utrechts Archief Genealogie van de geslachten Van Chatillon en De Cock by Anoniem, 1715	Rudolf de Cock (1220-1270) descended of Crusader Raynald Châtillon (1125-1187)	Rudolf de Cock was mentioned in a oorkonde of 1253 AD. There are no oorkonden supporting any descendency of Châtillon.
Nederlands Adelboek 1915 van Haeften to de Cocq van Haeften	Otto van Haeften (1360-1430) descended from Rudolf de Cock (1220-1270)	There are no oorkonden supporting this. The Nederlands Adelboek has clearly the ancestory line incorrect, stating things like Henrick de Cock inherited Waardenburg, while the oorkondes say it was Rodulf II de Cock that inherited Waardenburg.
Beschryvinge der stad Dordrecht, Matthys van Balen 1776 Chapter "Baanderye en Vry-Heerikheid Merwede" page 33, "De Heeren" (van Merwede). page 37	Daniel van Merwede went on Crusdade in 1204 AD. His father was a Daniel van Merwede that lived around 1180 AD and his grandfather a Daniel van Merwede around 1150 AD.(Phony profile: Daniel van der Merwede (1120-1172))	The first mention of a Daniel van der Merwede is in oorkonde of 1243 AD. His brother was called Godschalk van Merwede, son of Daniel in 1258 AD.

Dutch Medieval Sources

There are several lists of sources available. It appears they are continuing to improve them or create newer better websites as time goes on.

Oorkondes

• Oorkondes Link
• James Fremerij Oorkondenboek Holland en Zeeland
• James Fremerij Cartularium der abdij Mariënweerd
• Baron Sloet Oorkondenboek der Graafschappen Gelre en Zutphen
• Doornik Acten betreffende Gelre en Zutphen
• Hugens Oorkondenboek Gelre en Zutphen
• Huygens Digitale Charterbank Nederland
• Huygens Overview page to Oorkondes
• Huygens Utrechts Oorkondes tot 1299
• Huygens Hollandse en Zeelandse Oorkondes tot 1299
• Huygens Oorkondeboek Holland en Zeeland 1299-1345
• Nijhof Oorkondeboek van Holland en Zeeland
• Isaac Nijhoff Gedenkwaardigheden uit de geschiedenis van Gelderland DEEL 1
• Issac Nijhoff Deel 2
• Isaac Nijhoff Deel 3
• Isaac Nijhoff Deel 6, Volume 2
• Huygens Noord-Brabantse Oorkondes tot 1312
• Uitgegeven door Geertrui Van Synghel, DNB Digitaal Oorkondeboek Noord-Brabant
• Frans van Mieris 1754 Volume 1 Groot Charterboek Der Graaven Van Holland Van Zeeland Heeren Van Vriesland
• Frans van Mieris 1754 Volume 2 Groot Charterboek Der Graaven Van Holland Van Zeeland Heeren Van Vriesland
• Frans van Mieris 1754 Volume 3 Groot Charterboek Der Graaven Van Holland Van Zeeland Heeren Van Vriesland
• Frans van Mieris 1754 Volume 4 Groot Charterboek Der Graaven Van Holland Van Zeeland Heeren Van Vriesland
• oorkondeboek Pieter Lodewijk Muller Regesta Hannonensia. Lijst van oorkonden betreffende Holland en Zeeland
• Delpher Utrechtse Oorkonden

Research

At times there are transcripts available for writings that people wrote for their doctorate degrees. Other times they write them because they have a passion for it. They study nobels from the pre-1500 and leave us with a transcript rich in sources and concepts and challenges around genealogies. Here are some examples:

• Vermeulen, H. J. J. (2020). Bouwsteen en Toetssteen: Een overweging van de bronnen en methoden van de genealogie gecentreerd rond het Gelderse geslacht De Cock. Rijksuniversiteit Groningen. Download Version
• Vermeulen, Henri J.J., 2020, "Replication Data for: Bouwsteen en Toetssteen", DataverseNL, V1 This data download has many genealogies for the branches of the de-Cock family. But also many geneagrams of other family branches from the pre-1500 era.
• Doornmalen, A.G.J. van 2017 De Herlaars in het Midden-Nederlandse rivierengebied (ca. 1075 - ca. 1400)
• van Rensch, T. J. (2015). Licht op het zonneleen Gronsveld: ontwikkeling en instellingen van het Rijksonmiddellijke graafschap Gronsveld (elfde eeuw tot circa 1795). Maastricht University. Online Version.

Another form of research is when individuals do personal research and publish it in magazines. The two most helpfull magazines are:

• De Nederlandse Leeuw. There are a few older versions freely available online. You can also buy a CD with the PDF editions of 1883-2008, or buy later versions in paper format. You can find entire chapters dedicated to nobel families ("De Heren Uten Goye", "De Heren van Voorne", "De Heren Bronckhorst", etc). Usually these articles have a thorough list of sources. Keep in mind that not all conclusions are correct or agree and maybe revised.
• De Navorscher You can find most of this old magazine online. The information appears throughly researched, but they do not always give sources.
• Hogenda. Sometimes you can find "leen-records" or entire genealogies when you google "Hogenda." For example Hogenda: van der Merwede

Dutch Medieval Places

You can not find birth records of dutch people before 1500. However you can usually make an educated guess as to where they were born. If someone is called a "Lord of <City>" and there son as heir are also called "Lord of <City>". It would be safe the say the son was very likely born in that city. You can add it, and if you want add its "uncertain". If you don't know the city at all, then add at least the County or Duchess. For example "Born in Graafschap Holland" etc.

Not Netherlands

The Netherlands didn't exist yet in the Medieval era. In 1566 it became the "Republic of the Seven United Netherlands" when they revolted against the Spanish occupation. Before that it consisted of Counties and Duches of the Holy Roman Empire. Examples of these are: Holland, Zeeland, Gelre/Gelderland, Brabant, Friesland.

Gelre

Year	Proper Name
1207-1339	Graafschap Gelre, Heilige Roomse Rijk
1339-1473	Hertogdom Gelre, Heilige Roomse Rijk
1473-1482	Hertogdom Gelre, Bourgondische Nederlanden, Heilige Roomse Rijk
1482-1543	Hertogdom Gelre, Heilige Roomse Rijk
1543-1555	Hertogdom Gelre, Habsburgse Nederlanden
1555-1566	Hertogdom Gelre, Spaanse Nederlanden
1566-1795	Gelderland, Republiek der Zeven Verenigde Nederlanden

Holland

Year	Proper Name
1101-1433	Graafschap Holland, Heilige Roomse Rijk
1433-1482	Graafschap Holland, Bourgondische Nederlanden, Heilige Roomse Rijk
1482-1555	Graafschap Holland, Habsburgse Nederlanden, Heilige Roomse Rijk
1555-1566	Graafschap Holland, Spaanse Nederlanden
1566-1795	Holland, Republic der Zeven Verenigde Nederlanden

Brabant

Year	Proper Name
1100-1430	Hertogdom Brabant, Heilige Roomse Rijk
1430-1482	Hertogdom Brabant, Bourgondische Nederlanden
1482-1555	Hertogdom Brabant, Habsburgse Nederlanden
1555-1648	Hertogdom Brabant, Spaanse Nederlanden
1648-1795	Staats-Brabant, Republiek Zeven Verenigde Nederlanden