Igo Galama

Galema coat of arms

Igo Galama (876 to 910) was the fifth potestaat (or elected governor) of Friesland, now a province of the Netherlands.

Biography

Not much is known of his life. However the history of Friesland says that Galama was elected in 876 as potestaat. He would have been an excellent soldier, who did everything possible for the peace and prosperity of the Frisian people. He also reinforced the seawalls and erected several facilities to inhibit the incursion of the Vikings. The old custom of coastal surveillance, which was neglected by his predecessors, was reintroduced by Galama.

Sometimes, the name of Igo is written as Ygo II Galama, to avoid confusion with Ygo I Galama who would have been the Frisian king Beroald (540-597), and according to the stories won a victory over Dagobert (born 603), the son of the Merovingian king Chlothar II (ruled 613 - 629).

Also Ezonstad would agree Galama residents have particularly to be on their guard against the Vikings. On that occasion, he would have said:

Haadet goede wacht tyan da Nordera oordt, Want vuyt da Grimma herna comt ws all quaed voort.

(He waits at the northerly place, because from this sector comes trouble for us all)

Galama probably died in 910. According to some sources he already died in the first years of his reign.

His coat of arms is seen in the shield of Oudega (town in Gaasterlân-Sleat). It contains a fleur-de-lis and a stins.

He was preceded by Hessel Hermana and succeeded by Gosse Ludigman

References

Waling Dykstra, Uit Friesland's Volksleven, van vroeger en later, volksoverleveringen, volksgebruiken, volksvertellingen, volksbegrippen, 1895, page 35
Wopke Eekhoff: Beknopte geschiedenis van Friesland, in hoofdtrekken 1851 p 490
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Large general historical, geographically, genealogical, and judicious dictionary University Gent

Groot algemeen historisch, geographisch, genealogisch, en oordeelkundig woordenboek Universiteit Gent

State And Power 1450-1650: Contributions To The Historical Congress For Leeuwarden 1998,

Staat En Macht 1450-1650: Bijdragen Aan Het Historisch Congres Te Leeuwarden

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