Wijerd Jelckama

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Wijerd Jelckama (alternatively spelled Wierd and Wijard)[1][2] (c. 1490 - 1523), nicknamed groote Wierd[3], was a Frisian military commander and member of the Arumer Black Heap (Dutch:Arumer zwarte hoop). He was the nephew of Pier Gerlofs Donia (also known as Grutte Pier) and fought along his side against the Saxon and Hollandic invaders. Jelckama took his uncle's place as freedom fighter after his uncle died in 1520. Author Wopke Eekhoff described Jelckama to be not less sturdy than his giant uncle, who is told to be of at least 7ft tall and was noted to have lifted a 1000lbs horse above his head.[1]

Together with his uncle he fought against pack of Saxon warriors who terrorised their homeland of Frisia. After a successful campaign against the Saxons, a new problem presented itself. The count of Holland sent many warriors to fight the Frisians. Donia and Jelckama only ambition was to once and for all rid Frisia of all foreign powers and become and independent country once again. So with undieng (sicsic) bravery and willingness they fought for their country andít's people. They booked major successes, but this ceased after Donia got ill in 1519.[1]After Donia died in one year later, 1520, Jelckama quickly took over the command of the Frisian rebels fleet and army and continued fighting, this time against the Burgundes. Jelckama, however was less successful than his uncle and was therefore defeated and subsequently decapitated in 1523 together with the remaining Frisian and Gelderian rebels.[4]

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ a b c Eekhoff, W.(1851). Beknopte geschiedenis van Friesland (in Dutch). Leeuwarden: W. Eekhoff. 138-139.
  2. ^ Kok, Jacobus (1791). "Pier Gerlofs Donia". Vaderlandsch Woordenboek 24 (P-R). Amsterdam: Johannes Allart. 17-21. 
  3. ^ "Groote" (old Dutch; contemporary spelling is "grote") could mean tall\big-boned\heavy build and/or great.
  4. ^ Greate Pier fan Wûnseradiel (West Frisian). Gemeente Wûnseradiel. Retrieved on 2008-01-04.

[edit] See also

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