Wijerd Jelckama

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.^[1]

Under the leadership of Donia (nicknamed Greate Pier for his size), they employed guerilla tactics and achieved several victories such as the successful siege of two Hollandic castles and the city of Medemblik. The greatest success however came on sea, where Donia sank 28 Dutch ships, earning him the title "Cross of the Dutchmen".^[4]

The rebels also received financial support from Charles of Egmond, who claimed the Duchy of Guelders in opposition to the Habsburgs. Charles also employed mercenaries under command of his military commander Maarten van Rossum in their support. However, when the tides turned against the rebels after 1520, Charles withdrew his support. When the Duke withdrew his support, the rebels lost their financial support and could no longer afford to pay their mercenary army^[5]. At about the same time the Arumer Zwarte Hoop also lost their leader. In 1519, Donia's health deteriorated. He retired to his farm where he died in 1520. He is buried in Sneek in the 15th-century Groote Kerk (also called the Martinikerk)^[6].

Jelckama took over the command of the armies, which then was comprised of over 4,000 soldiers. Jelckama also achieved some minor victories, but proved to be a less competent commander and slowly lost men. Jelckama and his soldiers endulged in acts of piracy and sacked many villages in the Frisian lands, losing trust and support of their own people. The fact that Jelckama was less charismatic than his deceased uncle also cost him: he forged less fruitful alliances and lost more than he made.

After a series of defeats, he and the remainder of the Frisian army were captured in 1523 and taken to Leeuwarden. There they were executed. The execution took place publicly and it took the executioner four blows to sever Jelckama's head from his extremely thick neck.^[7]

Notes and references

^ ^a ^b ^c Eekhoff, W.(1851). Beknopte geschiedenis van Friesland (in Dutch). Leeuwarden: W. Eekhoff. 138-139.
^ 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)
^ "Groote" (old Dutch; contemporary spelling is "grote") could mean tall\big-boned\heavy build and/or great.
^ Beekman, Martinus. Beschreiving van de Stad en Baronnie Asperen. Vertoonende haare oudheid, gebouwen, hooge, en verdere regeering, ens. Utrecht, Mattheus Visch, 1745.
^ Kalma, J.J. (1970). (ed.) de Tille (ed.). Grote Pier Van Kimswerd. Netherlands. p. 50. ISBN 90-7001-013-5. {{cite book}}: |editor= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
^ Geldersche Volks-Almanak Published 1853
^ "Greate Pier fan Wûnseradiel" (in West Frisian). Gemeente Wûnseradiel. Retrieved 2008-01-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)

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See also