Schieringers and Vetkopers

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Partijschappen (factionalism) is the Dutch name for the dispute in Frisia that developed between the Schieringers and Vetkopers before 1350 and lasted until after 1500. Worp van Thabor attributed the cause to a dispute between lay brothers of the Cistercian and Norbertine (Premonstratensian) orders.

According to Sibrandus Leo, abbot Pibo Sibranda of Lidlum (1309–1325) settled some conflicts; Eelko Liauckama (1325–1332) along with 180 soldiers and armed lay brothers fought against some nobles; Godfried Andla (1336–1347) counter attacked from the monasteries of Bloemkamp and Ludingskerk and the Adelen brothers; Tetard (1386–1422) fortified the outlying buildings of Miedum against the Sjaardemas, who had destroyed Lidlum and its properties. Order vows, blood relations, friendships and self-interest determined each man’s position. After 1345, the factionalism became so intense that Frisia between the Lauwers and Eems placed itself under the protection of (the Saxon) Groningen (1366–1382). The names ‘Schier’ and ‘Vet’ first appeared around 1392. The Dutch threat merely brought a brief respite (1396): in 1398 the Vetkopers submitted themselves to Albrecht of Bavaria (count of Holland); but the Schieringers along with support from Groningen drove out the enemy and traitors.

The struggle rekindled in 1413 with the occupation of Emden by Keno tom Broke; after an intense struggle Groningen turned ‘Vet’ (1415), Keno brought heavy losses upon the Schieringers in the western Lauwers (1416). The (German) Emperor arranged a brief peace. Meanwhile the Schieringers sought the support from John of Bavaria (1418), who after the fall of Focko Ukena sent troops (1420) and established his authority for a short while. But the factions reconciled themselves without his knowledge and consent (peace of Groningen Feb. 1, 1422) and drove out John’s troops and the Likedelers with the help of the Hansa and Ocko tom Broke.

After this the East Frisians did not meddle anymore in the factionalism west of the Lauwers. In 1439 the factionalism started once again in Gaasterland: the Vetkoper Galamas (see Ygo galama) against the Schieringer Harinxmas (until 1456). The dispute in Oostergo (1441–1444) was settled through a court of law under Groningen’s influence. On August 15, 1456, the threat of Philip the Good led to a new alliance against all landlords and the formation of a council ‘of the Common Land of Vrieslandt’. Shortly thereafter the Donia War began (1458-1463), followed by an explosion of other disputes; the towns now played a large role, some actively (Sneek), some passively (Dokkum 1470, the Beer Uproar of Leeuwarden in 1487). Attempts by the Emperor to settle the dispute proved fruitless. Holland could not supply the Vetkopers the help they needed, from which the Groningers profited until they themselves were defeated while laying siege to Franeker and had to abandon Westergo (1496).

The disputes among the Jongemas of Bolsward finally brought Albrecht of Saxony on the side of the Schieringers (1498). The humiliated Vetkopers rose up in 1500 and in 1514 they invited the Guelders into the country. After the submission to Emperor Charles V in 1524, the factional names finally disappeared.

[edit] Sources and references

• Brouwer, J.H., J.J. Klama, W. Kok, and M. Wiegersma, eds., Encyclopedie van Friesland, (Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1958) s.v. Partijschappen.