Walraversijde
Walraversijde is an abandoned medieval fishing village on the Belgian coast, near Ostend. It was rediscovered in 1992 in a dune area, near a medieval dyke. Archeological research showed that it had been occupied, in two phases, between 1200 and 1600. Walraversijde has been studied more thoroughly and more systematically than any other medieval fishing community in Europe. The village has been partially reconstructed and has a museum, Walraversijde Museum, dedicated to the site.
Discovery
Walraversijde was discovered in 1992 on the Belgian coast by the archeologist
Walraversijde ceased having a role after the Siege of Ostend of 1601–1604 when a Spanish cavalry camp operated from the site. The artefacts and remains are well preserved, and there have been many finds. The sites have been excavated systematically and thoroughly, and have produced unusually rich findings.[1][2]
Early village
The village of the earlier beach phase of Walraversijde was located behind a protective dune belt. The houses were arranged in small, loose groups, the largest house measuring 7 by 12 metres (23 by 39 ft). Written sources indicate the villagers fished, traded salted fish and other goods, and sometimes engaged in piracy. They probably also dug peat to produce salt. However, the dune belt was maintained badly and Walraversijde became vulnerable. In 1394, a flood drowned the town of Ostend and caused heavy sand drifts and floods around the village. Walraversijde ended up in front of the dunes and had to be rebuilt further inland.[2]
Later village
The new Walraversijde was relocated on a
There were also community spaces, such as a draeyplaetsen for making cordage, a brewery, and a caetsspel (gaming house and brothel). Around 1435 a chapel was built. As might be expected for a settlement preoccupied with the sea, the occupation density was much higher than in non-fishing rural communities. No spaces were set aside for stables, gardens, or fields between houses.[2]
Between 1383 and 1413, under the supervision of the admirals of the
The villagers had commodities one might not expect to find in a medieval fishing community. There were "exotic spices such as paradise grains, cloves, and pepper, exotic fruits such as pomegranates, ivory combs, cast bronze candlesticks, and luxury ceramics."[2] The piracy, privateering and also beachcombing must have played a part in this, as probably also did the piloting of Spanish merchant vessels by Walraversijde fisherman to the port of Bruges.[2]
By the middle of the fifteenth century, Walraversijde reached its heyday, becoming, both economically and politically, the most important village in the region. It was well populated, housing perhaps 500 to 600 people, though half the population was usually away at sea. The village operated about twenty fishing vessels, each crewed with between thirteen and twenty fishermen. The fishermen were individually free and independent, brought their own nets, and shared in the profits. The sciplieden (boat captains) owned the fishing vessels and were the central figures in the village at the top of the social hierarchy.[2]
Later in the fifteenth century, larger vessels were developed which could sail to the lucrative offshore fishing grounds of the
Restorations and artifacts
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View from upstairs in a fisherman's house
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Medieval hearth with appurtenances
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Restored table, barrel chair and stools
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Woman in common fifteenth century dress repairing fishing net
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Children's bedroom with large pillows and the blankets coloured with madder
Decline
Towards the end of the fifteenth century, the region became politically unstable. Starting in 1483, Maximilian of Austria warred against a coalition of Bruges and Ghent for ten years. Walraversijde was in the middle of these battles and was probably deserted during this time. The houses in the eastern quarter of the village were ruined and subsequently abandoned. To make matters worse, the fishing fleet became endangered at sea. Different parties in the English Channel and the North Sea became threatening in various ways, and the fisherman had to arrange for armed ships to protect their fleet. Meanwhile, the sand dunes started drifting again, and the village brewery closed.[2]
But this was just a start. In 1568 the
Walraversijde Museum
Because of the archaeological richness of the findings, the
The museum displays artifacts which give a sense of the medieval fishing industry and trade, as well as the risks the fishermen faced at sea, such as piracy, war, and shipwrecks. There are further displays concerning household goods, clothing, hygiene, religious and recreational life, mouth bows and staffs, toys for young and old, including a well-engineered pair of bone glasses. Walraversijde has been studied more thoroughly and systematically than any other medieval fishermen community in Europe. This is, in part, because most other locations are still inhabited.[1]
Other images
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Fishing net drying on poles (reconstruction)
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Nets, furniture, pitcher
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Tools of a medieval carpenter
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Fish smokery; frames to preserve fish during transport
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Foundations of fishermen's houses
Notes
- ^ a b c Durnez J (2006) "The provenial museum of Walraversijde, from archaeological research to a cultural tourism project" In: Colloquium: To sea or not to sea, VLIZ Special Publication 32, Pages 116–121.
- ^ ISBN 978-90-04-16973-9.
References
- Kightly C (2000) Walraversijde 1465: de bloeiperiode van een vissersdorp aan de zuidelijke Noordzeekust. Provincie West-Vlaanderen / Instituut voor het Archeologisch Patrimonium.
- Kightly C (2003) "From evidence to physical reconstruction: recreating mediaeval Walraversijde" Pages 57–59 in: Pieters M, Verhaeghe F, Gevaert G, Mees J and Seys J. (Ed.) Colloquium: Fishery, trade and piracy: fishermen and fishermen's settlements in and around the North Sea area in the Middle Ages and later, Museum Walraversijde, VLIZSpecial Publication 15.
- Pieters M (2003) "The material environment of Walraversijde and other late medieval fishing communities along the Flemish coast" Pages 27–31 in: Pieters M, Verhaeghe F, Gevaert G, Mees J and Seys J. (Ed.) Colloquium: Fishery, trade and piracy: fishermen and fishermen's settlements in and around the North Sea area in the Middle Ages and later, Museum Walraversijde, VLIZ Special Publication 15.
- Tys D (2003) "Expressions of power in a marginal landscape? The social, economic and political context of the 15th century fisherman's village of Walraversijde" Pages 22–26 in: Pieters M, Verhaeghe F, Gevaert G, Mees J and Seys J. (Ed.) Colloquium: Fishery, trade and piracy: fishermen and fishermen's settlements in and around the North Sea area in the Middle Ages and later, Museum Walraversijde, VLIZ Special Publication 15.
- Van Bulck (2003) "Heavenly help as cultural element of the fisherman community, also at Walraversijde–'O please hear out plea, for those that are in peril at sea'" Pages 52–56 in: Pieters M, Verhaeghe F, Gevaert G, Mees J and Seys J. (Ed.) Colloquium: Fishery, trade and piracy: fishermen and fishermen's settlements in and around the North Sea area in the Middle Ages and later, Museum Walraversijde, VLIZ Special Publication 15.
External links
- Walraversijde Museum – official web site