Ygo Gales Galama
Encyclopedia
Ygo Gales Galama was a 15th century Frisian
warlord
and Galama-patriarch.
, Hemelum
and Oudega
. From this marriage they had four children: Trijn, Otto, Maaike and Juw.
. Monks ensured dike construction, new agriculture methods and an increase of written sources. Some of the oldest records of Frisian text originate from this period. The eleven Frisian cities got their town rights, trade contacts were extended and a money economy arose. The 14th and 15th centuries however were dominated by fighting between competing noble families. The cause of the fighting, aligned along two monastical orders, the Schieringers and Vetkopers, was due to complex family relations in which family loyalty, honour and blood revenge played an important role. In particular the fighting took place between important noble families and the influential monasteries. The Schieringers had their largest group of followers in Westergo. The Vetkopers had their power base in the east of the province. The name Schieringers refers to the grey garments of the Cistercians
(Middle Dutch schiere = grey). The Vetkopers ("buyers of fat" – trading in butter, cheese etc.) were associated with the Norbertines, who supposedly obtained their income from livestock-farming.
In 1439 the factionalism which had abated for some years started once again in Gaasterland: the Vetkoper Galamas against the Schieringer Harinxmas. A violent conflict that continued until 1456. The dispute in Oostergo (1441–1444) was settled through a court of law under the influence of Groningen. On August 15, 1456, the threat of Duke 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 (1458–1463) began, followed by an explosion of other disputes; the towns Sneek
now played a large role, some actively, 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).
in 1498 ensured a central authority that not only provided a visible presence, but also provided clear legislation and jurisdiction. The duke introduced general governing board measures, such as laws and taxes. The arrival of Albrecht and the setting-up of a governing board appropriate for Friesland however did not go without problems.
Fragments from the ' doodtboeck ' (deathbook) of Ernestus van Harinxma.
In 1613 Ernestus van Harinxma van Donia, a descendant of Haring Harinxma
(Haring Donia) wrote a book concerning the deaths of Frisian nobles. In the 'Doodtboeck' he describes the violent struggle between the Schieringers and Vetkopers. Below is a report of the assassination of Ygo Gales Galama.
From the 'Doodtboeck':
Transcription (in Middle Dutch)
Anno 1492
Den 25 januari worde Ygo Galama in een slach by Worckum van den Schyringers gevangen ende dootlyck ghewont ende naedat hy ghebiecht hadde is hy des selven nachts tot 9 uren van Seerp Beyma knechten noch dootgheslaegen. Alsoo dat die stoute helt ende het hooft der Vetcoepers in Westerghoo aldaer sijn affganck ende eynde ghecreegen heeft.
English translation:
In the year 1492 on 25 January Ygo Galama in a battle near Workum
got caught by the Schieringers and [got] mortally wounded. And after he had confessed, he was yet beaten to death on the same night at 9 o'clock by the soldiers of Seerp Beyma. Thus that this brave hero and leader of the Vetkopers in Westergo there met his passing and end.
Frisians
The Frisians are a Germanic ethnic group native to the coastal parts of the Netherlands and Germany. They are concentrated in the Dutch provinces of Friesland and Groningen and, in Germany, East Frisia and North Frisia, that was a part of Denmark until 1864. They inhabit an area known as Frisia...
warlord
Warlord
A warlord is a person with power who has both military and civil control over a subnational area due to armed forces loyal to the warlord and not to a central authority. The term can also mean one who espouses the ideal that war is necessary, and has the means and authority to engage in war...
and Galama-patriarch.
Family and marriage
He was the son of Gale Yges Galama and Trijn Douwesdr Harinxma. The marriage of Gale and Trijn was an attempt to create a provisional peace between the warring factions of the Vetkopers and Schieringers. Gale came from a Vetkoper line and Trijn from a line of Schieringers. Ygo Gales Galama was married to Goslinga. The marriage is mentioned in the “Stamboek van de Friese Adel", which traces the genealogy and history of the Frisian nobility. The couple possessed fortified homes at KoudumKoudum
Koudum is a village in Friesland, The Netherlands. It is the seat of the Gemeente of Nijefurd. The population is 2,753 . There is a restored windmill in the village, De Vlijt....
, Hemelum
Hemelum
- Convent :The first information about Hemelum is from 1180. Hemelum had a stins, some states and a convent. The nunnery of Benedictine Order was one of the first convents at Friesland. outside nuns lived at the convent also Beguines...
and Oudega
Oudega
Oudega is a small village in Gaasterlân-Sleat in the province Friesland of the Netherlands and has around the 270 citizens ....
. From this marriage they had four children: Trijn, Otto, Maaike and Juw.
The forest viking
Ygo was a rich, powerful and war-skilled Vetkoper with a notorious reputation. To his compatriots he was known as “the forest viking’ but to his enemies het woudzwijn, the ‘forest swine’.Late middle-ages
The late Middle Ages were an important period in the development of FrieslandFriesland
Friesland is a province in the north of the Netherlands and part of the ancient region of Frisia.Until the end of 1996, the province bore Friesland as its official name. In 1997 this Dutch name lost its official status to the Frisian Fryslân...
. Monks ensured dike construction, new agriculture methods and an increase of written sources. Some of the oldest records of Frisian text originate from this period. The eleven Frisian cities got their town rights, trade contacts were extended and a money economy arose. The 14th and 15th centuries however were dominated by fighting between competing noble families. The cause of the fighting, aligned along two monastical orders, the Schieringers and Vetkopers, was due to complex family relations in which family loyalty, honour and blood revenge played an important role. In particular the fighting took place between important noble families and the influential monasteries. The Schieringers had their largest group of followers in Westergo. The Vetkopers had their power base in the east of the province. The name Schieringers refers to the grey garments of the Cistercians
(Middle Dutch schiere = grey). The Vetkopers ("buyers of fat" – trading in butter, cheese etc.) were associated with the Norbertines, who supposedly obtained their income from livestock-farming.
In 1439 the factionalism which had abated for some years started once again in Gaasterland: the Vetkoper Galamas against the Schieringer Harinxmas. A violent conflict that continued until 1456. The dispute in Oostergo (1441–1444) was settled through a court of law under the influence of Groningen. On August 15, 1456, the threat of Duke 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 (1458–1463) began, followed by an explosion of other disputes; the towns Sneek
Sneek
Sneek is a city southwest of Leeuwarden and seat of the former municipality of Sneek in the province of Friesland . As for 2011 it is part of the municipality Súdwest Fryslân...
now played a large role, some actively, some passively (Dokkum
Dokkum
Dokkum is a Dutch fortified town in the municipality of Dongeradeel in the province of Friesland. It has 13,145 inhabitants . The fortifications of Dokkum are well preserved and are known as the bolwerken . - History :...
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
Franeker
Franeker is one of the eleven historical cities of Friesland and capital of the municipality of Franekeradeel. It is located about 20 km west of Leeuwarden on the Van Harinxma Canal. As of 1 January 2006, it had 12,996 inhabitants. The city is famous for the Eisinga Planetarium from around...
and had to abandon Westergo (1496).
Later years and death
The arrival of duke AlbrechtAlbert, Duke of Saxony
Albert III was a Duke of Saxony. He was nicknamed Albert the Bold or Albert the Courageous and founded the Albertine line of the House of Wettin....
in 1498 ensured a central authority that not only provided a visible presence, but also provided clear legislation and jurisdiction. The duke introduced general governing board measures, such as laws and taxes. The arrival of Albrecht and the setting-up of a governing board appropriate for Friesland however did not go without problems.
Fragments from the ' doodtboeck ' (deathbook) of Ernestus van Harinxma.
In 1613 Ernestus van Harinxma van Donia, a descendant of Haring Harinxma
Haring Harinxma
Haring Harinxma was a powerful Frisian chieftain and Schieringer who lived during the 13th and early 14th centuries. Haring also used the surname Donia, and is considered the patriarch of this well known Frisian family...
(Haring Donia) wrote a book concerning the deaths of Frisian nobles. In the 'Doodtboeck' he describes the violent struggle between the Schieringers and Vetkopers. Below is a report of the assassination of Ygo Gales Galama.
From the 'Doodtboeck':
Transcription (in Middle Dutch)
Anno 1492
Den 25 januari worde Ygo Galama in een slach by Worckum van den Schyringers gevangen ende dootlyck ghewont ende naedat hy ghebiecht hadde is hy des selven nachts tot 9 uren van Seerp Beyma knechten noch dootgheslaegen. Alsoo dat die stoute helt ende het hooft der Vetcoepers in Westerghoo aldaer sijn affganck ende eynde ghecreegen heeft.
English translation:
In the year 1492 on 25 January Ygo Galama in a battle near Workum
Workum
Workum is the largest town of Nijefurd in Friesland. It received city rights in 1374. It lies within the municipality of Nijefurd. Currently has around 4000 inhabitants....
got caught by the Schieringers and [got] mortally wounded. And after he had confessed, he was yet beaten to death on the same night at 9 o'clock by the soldiers of Seerp Beyma. Thus that this brave hero and leader of the Vetkopers in Westergo there met his passing and end.
Ancestry of Ygo Gales Galama
- Direct descendant of Ygo II Galama (died 910) fifth Potestate of Friesland.
- Great grandson of Haring HarinxmaHaring HarinxmaHaring Harinxma was a powerful Frisian chieftain and Schieringer who lived during the 13th and early 14th centuries. Haring also used the surname Donia, and is considered the patriarch of this well known Frisian family...
(Haring Donia) (abt. 1323–1403), Potestate of Friesland in 1398. - First cousin 3 times removed of Pier Gerlofs DoniaPier Gerlofs DoniaPier Gerlofs Donia was a Frisian warrior, pirate, and rebel. He is best known by his West Frisian nickname "Grutte Pier" , or by the Dutch translations "Grote Pier" and "Lange Pier", or, in Latin, "Pierius Magnus", which referred to his legendary size and strength. His life is mostly shrouded in...
(abt 1480–1520), Frisian freedom fighter and leader of the infamous Arumer Black Heap. - Direct descendant of Ige Galama (also known as Ygo Joukes Galama, see Frisian Crusaders) died in 1099 during the first crusadeFirst CrusadeThe First Crusade was a military expedition by Western Christianity to regain the Holy Lands taken in the Muslim conquest of the Levant, ultimately resulting in the recapture of Jerusalem...
and buried in AntiochAntiochAntioch on the Orontes was an ancient city on the eastern side of the Orontes River. It is near the modern city of Antakya, Turkey.Founded near the end of the 4th century BC by Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great's generals, Antioch eventually rivaled Alexandria as the chief city of the...
, see Siege of AntiochSiege of AntiochThe Siege of Antioch took place during the First Crusade in 1097 and 1098. The first siege, by the crusaders against the Muslim city, lasted from October 21, 1097, to June 2, 1098. The second siege, against the crusaders who had occupied it, lasted from June 7 to June 28, 1098.-Background:Antioch...
.