- Ygo Gales Galama
Ygo Gales Galama (c. 1443 –
25 January 1492 ) was a 15th centuryFrisian warlord andGalama -patriarch.Family and marriage
He was the son of
Gale Yges Galama andTrijn Douwesdr Harinxma . The marriage of Gale and Trijn was an attempt to create a provisional peace between the warring factions of theVetkopers andSchieringers . 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. [Stamboek van den Frieschen, vroegeren en lateren, adel, uit oude en echte bescheiden en aanteekeningen, en met bijvoeging van de wapens der onderscheidene geslachten, opgemaakt, by Montanus de Haan Hettema; A van Halmael, Jr.; H van Ryn Publisher: Leeuwarden : Meindersma, 1846.] The couple possessed fortified homes atKoudum ,Hemelum andOudega . From this marriage they had four children: Trijn, Otto, Maaike and Juw.Langenberg Family Genealogy]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
Friesland . 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 theCistercians (Middle Dutch "schiere" = grey). The Vetkopers ("buyers of fat" – trading in butter, cheese etc) were associated with theNorbertines , 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 DukePhilip 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 townsSneek now played a large role, some actively, some passively (Dokkum 1470, the Beer Uproar ofLeeuwarden 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 toFraneker and had to abandon Westergo (1496).Later years and death
The arrival of Albrecht (
Albert, Duke of Saxony ) 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. [Kerkkalender van overleden Friese edelen e.a. 1409-1634. Ernst Harinxma van Donia, 1606. Source/Location: Archief Van Harixma thoe Slooten, Tresoar/Rijksarchief in Friesland, toeg. 325, inv.nr. 443]
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':For images of the 'Doodtboeck' See [http://jong.tresoar.nl/bronnen/bron.php?b=78&per=4&t=1]
Transcription (in Frisian) "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."
Dutch Translation:In het jaar 1492Op 25 januari werd Ygo Galama in een veldslag bij Workum door de Schieringers dodelijk gewond. Hij werd gevangen genomen en nadat hij gebiecht* had, is hij diezelfde nacht om 9 uur door de soldaten van Seerp Beyma dood geslagen. Zo kwam er een eind aan het leven van de dappere aanvoerder van de Vetkopers in Westergo.
* biechten = Gebruik in de katholieke kerk om vergiffenis te vragen voor je zonden.
English Translation:In the year 1492 on 25 January Ygo Galama in a battle against the Schieringers at
Workum was mortally wounded. He was captured and after he confessed, he was beaten to death on the same night at 9 o'clock by the soldiers of Seerp Beyma. Thus ended the life of the brave leader of the Vetkopers in Westergo.Ancestry of Ygo Gales Galama
*Direct descendant of
Ygo II Galama (died 910) fifthPotestate of Friesland.
*Great grandson ofHaring Harinxma (Haring Donia) (abt. 1323 – 1403), Potestate of Friesland in 1398.
*First cousin 3 times removed ofPier Gerlofs Donia (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, seeFrisian Crusaders ) died in 1099 during thefirst crusade and buried inAntioch [De Vrije Fries. [Nord-Nederland En Kruistogten by J. Dirks Pg.143] Mengelingen, Uitgeven door het Provinciaal Friesch Genootschap, Ter Beoefening der Friesche Geschied-, Oudheid- en Taalkunde (Leeuwarden), 1842] , seeSiege of Antioch .Sources and references
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