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Wijerd Jelckama

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Statue of Pier Gerlofs Donia, Jelckama's famous uncle whom he preceded

Wijerd Jelckama (alternatively spelled Wierd and Wijard)[1][2] (c. 1490 - 1523), nicknamed groote Wierd[3], was a Frisian military commander, warlord and member of the Arumer Zwarte Hoop ("Arumer Black Heap"). He was the nephew of Pier Gerlofs Donia (also known as Grutte Pier) and fought along his side against the Saxon and Hollandic invaders. Jelckama took his uncle's place as freedom fighter after his uncle died in 1520. Author Wopke Eekhoff described Jelckama as being as sturdy as his giant uncle, who was himself reportedly at least 7 feet tall and once lifted a 1000-pound horse above his head.[1]

Together with his uncle he fought against packs of Saxon warriors who occupied their homeland of Frisia. Wijard fought side by side with his uncle at the capture of Medemblik, and in the siege of Middelburg castle. He participated in many battles at sea including the one in which his uncle captured 28 Hollandic ships and became the "Cross of the Dutchmen".

In addition to the portion occupied by the Saxons, parts of Frisia were conquered by Denmark, Holland, and local duchies. Donia and Jelckama's goal was to rid Frisia of all foreign powers and regain independence. They enjoyed major successes, especially against the Saxons, but this ceased after Donia's health deteriorated in 1519.[1]After Donia died in 1520, Jelckama took over command of the Frisian rebel fleet and army and continued fighting, this time against the Habsburg Netherlands. However, Jelckama was less successful than his uncle and was defeated and subsequently decapitated in 1523 together with the remaining Frisian and Gelderian rebels. The execution took place publicly in Leeuwarden and it took the executioner four blows to sever Jelckama's head from his extremely thick neck.[4]

Notes and references

  1. ^ a b c Eekhoff, W.(1851). Beknopte geschiedenis van Friesland (in Dutch). Leeuwarden: W. Eekhoff. 138-139.
  2. ^ Kok, Jacobus (1791). "Pier Gerlofs Donia". Vaderlandsch Woordenboek (in Dutch). Vol. 24 (P-R). Amsterdam: Johannes Allart. pp. 17–21.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  3. ^ "Groote" (old Dutch; contemporary spelling is "grote") could mean tall\big-boned\heavy build and/or great.
  4. ^ "Greate Pier fan Wûnseradiel" (in West Frisian). Gemeente Wûnseradiel. Retrieved 2008-01-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)

See also

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