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Learning page: Dutch Medieval Profiles

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

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."

... was a Dutch Knight (Ridder)

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 genealogies called Kronieken (Chronicles). 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 or before that, can not be considered a true "source." The true sources from the 1000 AD period is charters (oorkondes) that were written during that era.

Examples of phony genealogies created based on these Chronicles are:

Further below on this page is a section Chronicles which goes more into details of which specific Chronicles and has links to these writings as well.

... was a Legendary Person

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 Legendary Person" sticker.

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

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.

Periodic Publications

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.
  • Ons Voorgeslacht is a dutch genealogy organisation/club. They have a databank with genealogies written by proffessional genealogists as well as some amateurs. Some of these are available free, others areonly visible for members. (There database used to be called Hogenda).

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
1482-1543Hertogdom Gelre, Heilige Roomse Rijk
1543-1555 Hertogdom Gelre, Habsburgse Nederlanden
1555-1566Hertogdom Gelre, Spaanse Nederlanden
1566-1795 Gelderland, Republiek der Zeven Verenigde Nederlanden

Holland

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

Brabant

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

Chronicle Writers

This section is about the dutch chronicle writers, who wrote genealogies in the 1600s and 1700s about people, nobels and royalty in a time period long before them (900-1500 AD). These writings appear sometimes very authentic and since they are old there is a certain validity given to them.

A lot of these chronicles appear to have somewhat accurate records for the time frame just before them. (period 1400-1500s). These genealogies usually go back much further and the problem is that a writing from 1600s can not be considered a valid source for genealogy records from the 1100-1200s or even older.

If you find a profile that is based on these writings and does not have charters (oorkonden) from that time period confirming their existance, you may add to the profile:

Research suggests that this person may never have existed. See the text for details.

Chroncile about Culemborg/Bosinchem

The Chroncile Beschryvinge Culemborg was written in 1753 by A.W.K. Voet van Oudheusden

Image:Dutch Chronicle Writers.jpg
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The book starts with describing in pages 1-11 how the Counts of Culemborg come from the Counts of Teisterbant and are related to the daughter of the Roman emporer Constantia Michaelsdr Paleologos of Byzantië (740 AD) (Page 2) and Elius Gracilius 650-0731) (page 2) son of Parcival de Graal-Ridder (Knight searching for the holy grail).

Page 12 begins with Roelof and Hubert, in which we can recognize historical people. In Charters (oorkonden) from 1212 and 1217 there is a Rudolphus van Bosinchem mentioned, and in 1191 and 1213 a Hubert van Bosinchem.

There are no charters (oorkonden) from their timeframes that mention the following people: Gerbrand (died 925), Dirk/Diderick van Bosinchem (died 954), Willem van Bosinchem (993), Jan van Bosinchem died in 1030, Roelof the Great van Bosinchem died 1099, Henrik van Bosinchem died 1105.

Time difference between this writing (1753) and people describes on pages 1-11 (711-1099 AD) is more than 650 years! Therefore this can not be considered a source for them.

As you read on after page 11 it appears to refer mostly to historical people with some legendary aspects added to their history.

Chronicle about Arkel

Chroncile: Leven der doorLuchtige Heren van Arkel
Author: Abraham Kemp
Published year: 1656
Image:Dutch Chronicle Writers-1.jpg
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The book starts in the year 260 AD (page 2), Johan van Arkel baptized by bishop Urbitus in 418 AD (page 3) and a genealogy series that starts with Jan Ridzaardsoon van Arkel in 618 AD (pages 4-188). In wikitree this series starts with Heijman van Arkel (0640 AD)

Genealogists have done much research on the orgins of Arkel and concluded that: Johan van Arkel, mentioned in 1253 was the son of Herbaren van der Lede (1190-1258) and his ancestors are van der Lede.

Therefore the genealogy from page 3-39 is fiction (not even legend). The first real person is on page 39 Jan van Arkel bijgenaamd de Sterke who we can identify as the same in the charter in 1254.

See also Arkel & van der Lede

Batavia Illustra

Chronicle: Batavia Illustra 1685
Authors: Johan Veely, Johan Tongerloo, en Jasper Doll
Published: 1685
Image:Dutch Chronicle Writers-4.jpg
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This writing has several legendary ancestory records (starting page 826). Such as Arkels going back to Heyman van Arkel ca. 640 AD (page 847), Teilingen gong back to Simon van Teylingen ca. 1050 AD (page 1116).

However it also seems to have a lot of accurate records that line up with the charters/oorkondes.

Beschryvinge der Nederlanden

Chronicle: Beschryvingh der Neder-landen, Volume 2
Author: Jacob van Meurs
Published: 1660
Image:Dutch Chronicle Writers-3.jpg
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The van Heusden descended from the Robrecht of Teisterbant 785 AD (Legends, not facts) Phony profiles in wikitree o.a.: Robrecht of Teisterbant (785-857)).

The first ancestor mentioned was Herman (Heusden) van Heusden who lived around 1144 AD and listed in records of around 1212 AD.

Beschryvinge der stad Dordrecht

Chroncile: Beschryvinge der stad Dordrecht
Author: Matthys van Balen
Published: 1776
Image:Dutch Chronicle Writers-2.jpg
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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.(Legends)

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. (Fact)

Chronijck van Zeelandt

Chroncile: Chronijck van Zeelandt
Author: Jan Reygersberg
Published: 1664
Image:Dutch Chronicle Writers-5.jpg
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Below are some examples of these:

Chronicle (Phony Source) Example Claim Example 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 (Legend, False Claim) The first record in charters (oorkondes) of Culemborg ancestors is Rudolphus van Bosinchem mentioned in a oorkonde of 1217 AD. (Fact)
Abraham Kemp, Leven der doorLuchtige Heren van Arkel ende Jaar-Beschryving der stad Gorinchem, Paulus Vink Boek Verkoper, 1656 According to this Chronicle writer Jan van Arkel (1220-1272) had a father also called Jan van Arkel and he descended from a series of Arkel ancestors going back to Heymans van Arkel (641 AD) (Legends, false claim, not fact). Also "Arkel" is derived from the old Roman Herculus Temple in that place, when the H was dropped. (Phony profiles in Wikitree starts with: Heijman van Arkel (640AD)) The father of Jan van Arkel (1220-1272) was Herbaren II van der Lede not and Arkel. The oldest ancestor is Herbaren I van der Lede listed in a oorkonde (charter) of 1143 AD (=Fact). It has been proven that the long list of ancestors written by this chronicle writer never existed. (See also Arkel & van der Lede
Johan Veely, Johan Tongerloo, en Jasper Doll Batavia Illustra 1685 641 AD Jan van Arkel (Legend, not fact) The first record in the oorkondes of Arkel ancestors is Herbaren van der Lede listed in a oorkonde (charter) of 1143 AD (Fact)
Jacob van Meurs Beschryvingh der Neder-landen, Volume 2, 1660 The van Heusden descended from the Robrecht of Teisterbant 785 AD (Legends, not facts) (Phony profiles in wikitree o.a.: Robrecht of Teisterbant (785-857)) (Fact:) The first ancestor mentioned 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 (Legend, not fact) (Phony profiles in wikitree start with: Parzival de Graalridder (625AD))(Fact:) The first ancestor mentioned 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) (=Legend, not fact)Rudolf de Cock was mentioned in a oorkonde of 1253 AD. There are no oorkonden supporting any descendency of Châtillon. (Fact)
Nederlands Adelboek 1915 van Haeften to de Cocq van Haeften Otto van Haeften (1360-1430) descended from Rudolf de Cock (1220-1270) (legend, not fact)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. (Fact)
Matthys van Balen 1776 Beschryvinge der stad Dordrecht 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.(Legends) 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. (Fact)




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