- Hessel Martena
Hessel Martena (appointed approximately 1306 to 1312) was the tenth
potestaat (magistrate governor) ofFriesland a province of theNetherlands . He succeededReinier Camminga .Martena was particularly praised for his clever policy, calming the existing dispute between the
Schieringers and Vetkopers which had developed to an extreme extent in his time.After three centuries the Dutch count, William III of Holland made an attempt to take over Friesland during his administration. In 1309 Willem landed with a fleet of 1500 "heads" in
Gaasterland . Hessel had Count William fleeing back to his ships.After the death of Hessel on
16 August 1312 [http://www.herweijer.org/trijntje_dejong/FRAME3.HTM Kwartierstaat van TRIJNTJE MURKS DE JONG] , the conflict between theVetkopers and Schieringers erupted again. The parties could not even agree about the appointment of a next Potestaat .His life is described by
John Vlieterp , the successor to the historianOcco Scarlensis .Hessel had only 4 daughters and no sons, so his surname was not inherited. The eventual next potestaat was
Juw Juwinga .References
*
Johannes Vlieterp , "Midsieuske Skriuwer".
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