Upload
others
View
3
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
EXCURSION WAASLAND SCHELDT POLDERS AND LAND VAN SAEFTINGHE
19/03/2013
Morning Program
Katrien Heirman - Iason Jongepier - Tine Missiaen - Peter Vos
1
OVERVIEW MORNING PROGRAM
1. Verrebroek: great reclamations / peat extraction (13th and 14th C.)
2. “Grote Geule”: large scale tactical inundations (end 16th C.)
3. Doelpolder Noord: geology and future developments
4. Doel-town: relations with Antwerp and absentee landownership (16th – 19th C.)
5. Prosper farmhouse: the rise and influence of the Arenberg family (17th – 19th C.)
Border
3 5
4
2
1
I. Jongepier
1. Borringstraat, Verrebroek
2. Kreek, Kieldrecht
3. Zoetenberm, Doel
4. Pastorijstraat, Doel
5. Belgische dreef, Kieldrecht
2
0. INTRODUCTION: THE WAASLAND SCHELDT POLDERS FROM THE LATE MIDDLE AGES ONWARD
Around 1000 AD the Northern Waasland area existed of a large swampy area, intersected by two
embranchments of a Pleistocene sand ridge. In this swampy area were extensive peat lands located,
which were excavated from the 12th century onward. Towns were located on top of the sand ridges.
By the end of the 16th century, almost the entire area was embanked but the large scale tactical
inundations of the late 16th century resulted in an almost complete drowning of the area. A large
tidal inlet developed as a consequence of this drowning. From the 16th to the 20th century, the area
was re-embanked, mainly under the influence of rich citizens and nobility. The present day “Land van
Saeftinghe” is the only reminder of the former tidal marsh.
I. Jongepier End 16thC. 1654 1688
1784 1846 19th C.
Saeftinghe
3
h
1. VERREBROEK AND PEAT EXTRACTION
A. The Great Reclamations
During the late Middle Ages, the "Great Reclamations" took place. The following scheme gives the
underlying motives for the large-scale peat extraction that occurred from the 121 century onwards.
Population
growth
More meat
consumtion
(and need
for salt)
Need for
wood (fuel
and construc
tion)
Need for
peat extraction
(salt and
peat as alter
native fuel)
Wars,inflation,....
(mainly 13th and
14th century)
income for the
Counts of
Flanders
Selling and
donating
peatlands
by Counts of
Flanders
4
B. Peat in the Waasland polders
The Waasland polders are located on the upper East of the Pleistocene sand ridge of Maldegem-
Stekene. In between the embranchments of this sandy ridge, conditions were favorable for peat
growth from around 6000 BP. This peat is actually an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation.
Peat forms in wetland conditions, where flooding obstructs flows of oxygen from the atmosphere,
reducing rates of decomposition. Peat formation can be groundwater-induces or rainwater-induced
(resulting in so-called “peat bogs”).
I. Jongepier
( G: Gistel; H: Hulst; V: Verrebroek; W: Waasland Scheldt Polders)
C. Peat transactions in Eastern Sealand Flanders and the Waasland area.
From the 12th century the Counts of Flanders started to sell and grant large surfaces of peat lands. In
the Waasland Area the Lords of Beveren instigated the reclamations of the extensive peat lands by
founding two reclamation centers: Kieldrecht and Verrebroek.
5
D. Relicts in the landscape
The drainage of the peat lands was done by digging many ditches, perpendicular on a reclamation
axis (mostly a road or waterway, indicated in blue). In the areas were the late medieval surface was
not covered by post medieval tidal deposits,this plotting pattern is still visible in the landscape.
6
2 . “G ROT E G EULE” AND TACTICAL INUNDATIONS
A. Eighty Years War (1568-1648)
During the Eighty Years war, the Waasland polder area was a frontier zone, which had a profound
impact on the area.
Eighty Years’ War, (1568–1648), the war of Netherlands independence from Spain, which led to the separation of the northern and
southern Netherlands and to the formation of the United Provinces of the Netherlands (the Dutch Republic). The first phase of the war
began with two unsuccessful invasions of the provinces by mercenary armies under Prince William I of Orange (1568 and 1572) and foreign-
based raids by the Geuzen, the irregular Dutch land and sea forces. By the end of 1573 the Geuzen had captured, converted to Calvinism,
and secured against Spanish attack the provinces of Holland and Zeeland. The other provinces joined in the revolt in 1576, and a general
union was formed.
In 1579 the union was fatally weakened by the defection of the Roman Catholic Walloon provinces. By 1588 the Spanish, under Alessandro
Farnese (the Duke of Parma), had reconquered the southern Low Countries and stood poised for a death blow against the nascent Dutch
Republic in the north. Spain’s concurrent enterprises against England and France at this time, however, allowed the republic to b egin a
counteroffensive. By the Twelve Years’ Truce, begun in 1609, the Dutch frontiers were secured.
Fighting resumed in 1621 and formed a part of the general Thirty Years’ War. After 1625 the Dutch, under Prince Frederick Henry of Orange,
reversed an early trend of Spanish successes and scored significant victories. The Franco-Dutch alliance of 1635 led to the French conquest
of the Walloon provinces and a sustained French drive into Flanders. The republic and Spain, fearful of the growing power of France,
concluded a separate peace in 1648 by which Spain finally recognized Dutch independence. (adapted from http://www.britannica.com)
B. Catastrophic outcome for the Waasland polders
Prior to the large-scale tactical inundations almost the entire area was embanked.
Present day Land van Saeftinghe
Doelpolder Noord
I. Jongepier
7
As a result of the deliberate destruction of the northern dikes by retreating troops, almost the entire
area flooded and the “Saeftinger Gat” (inlet) was formed. The “Grote Geule” (great tidal channel) is a
remnant of this inlet. This map (1664) depicts the situation at the beginning of the 17th century.
C. Re-embankment complications: “wielen”
After the inundations, the Waasland polders got re-embanked in successive phases. This led to
complications. The “wielen” on the map below are dike repairs after storm surges, whereby large
maelstroms were to be found at the breaching points.
8
3. DOELPOLDER NOORD
A. Study area
Field work area in Doelpolder Noord. The three main study areas were chosen on land (Doelpolder
Noord), on the marsh and tidal mudflats, and the Scheldt river. On the lower right the Doel nuclear
powerplant. Doelpolder Noord and the adjoining marsh/mudflats are a nature reserve nowadays
(compensation for the harbour expansion).
B. Pleistocene
Contour map of the depth of the top of the Pleistocene sand ridge that extends all over north-
western Flanders. This sand ridge is now covered by several meters of marine clay, peat, and fluvial
clays and sand. During harbour construction works it was discovered that the tops and flanks of this
sand ridge were inhabited from the final Palaeolithic to early Neolithic times.
9
C. Soils
Due to successive embankments we find a repeating pattern of soil distribution in the area. At the
former sea dikes of embankments the lightest particles (clay, green) were deposited, while more
northerly in the former tidal marsh and in the tidal channels heavier particles (loam and sand, resp.
orange and blue) were deposited.
Doelpolder
Noord
(Green: clay; orange: loam, blue: sand)
10
D. Harbor extension
Due to harbor extension the Doelpolder will totally be transformed: at the location of Doel town a
new dockyard (the “Saeftinghedok”) will emerge. An industrious zone will surround this dockyard.
The northern Doelpolder will be (further) transformed into a nature compensation zone.
Doelpolder
Noord
Doel
I. Jongepier
(Green: nature compensation; blue: dockyard; pink: industrial zone)
E. De-embankment
The Hedwige and a part of the Prosperpolder will be de-embanked into a tidal marsh, connected to
the current “Land van Saeftinghe”.
11
F. Deurganckdok
Further southward, archaeological excavations carried out during the construction works at the
“Deurganckdok” showed that the tops and flanks of the Pleistocene sand ridges contained numerous
prehistoric sites (Final Paleolithic to Early Neolithic ). From the mid Neolithic until the early middle
ages the area turned into a large peat marsh; so far no archaeological proof was found from this
period
12
4. DOEL TOWN AND DOELPOLDER
A. Development
The late medieval Doelpolder covered a far larger area then the current one. Doeltown did not exist,
instead, three small dwellings were to be found at the border of the embankment.
I. Jongepier
Present day Doel-town
N
13
After the tactical inundations, a smaller area was re-embanked in 1613/1614 and Doel-town was
founded.
Present day Doel-town
N
14
B. Relations with Antwerp
The proximity of Antwerp had a large influence on the development of the area. For instance, large
numbers of grain was exported from Doel to Antwerp.
Harvest Harvest Harvest
(Monthly grain transports Doel to Antwerp, hl.)
C. Absentee landownership
Rich Antwerp citizens owned large parts of the Doel and Oud-Arenbergpolder (indicated in red).
I. Jongepier
Present day Doel-town
15
5 . “PROSPERHOEVE”
A. Arenberg family
The House of Arenberg originated in the Eifel region in the Rhineland-Palatinate. The first Count of Arenberg
was mentioned in the early 12th century. Although the County itself was in present-day Germany, the Arenberg
resided mostly in the Southern Netherlands, in what is now Belgium.
The present Duke and Princes of Arenberg descend from Charles of Arenberg (1550-1616), Count of Arenberg,
elevated to the rank of Prince-Count of Arenberg in 1576. In 1587, he married Anne of Croÿ (1564-1635),
Duchess of Aerschot and Princess of Chimay, who obtained the Seigneury of Beveren . Anne's brother, Charles II
de Croÿ (1560-1612), died childless, passing the line of Croÿ-Aerschot to the House of Arenberg.
In 1644, Emperor Ferdinand III of Habsburg conferred the title of Duke of Arenberg to Philip Francis of Arenberg, and his descendents in
male primogeniture, and the title of prince to all other family members of the name. The Arenberg family was mediatised in 1810, which
has permitted them to retain the style of HSH (His/Her Serene Highness).The home of the Arenberg family in Belgium is the castle of
Champlon-Famenne in Waha, near Marche-en-Famenne.(adapted from www.eupedia.com)
B. Embankment activities
In the first re-embankments the Arenberg family did not play a crucial role. In the re-embankent of
the Oud-Arenbergpolder (1688) they were only one out of numerous investors. The embankment of
the Nieuw-Arenberg- (1784) and Prosperpolder (1846), however, were fully organized by the family.
I. Jongepier 1688 1784 1846
16
h
C. Farm
The current farm structure of the "Prosperhoeve" almost entirely corresponds to the 191 century
configuration. We find the main house, annexes, barns and (converted) horse stables. Next to the
"Prosperhoeve", three other farms were part of the large-scale exploitation structure in the
embankment.
17
SELECTED REFERENCES
AUGUSTYN, B. (1977). "Bijdrage tot het ontstaan en de vroegste geschiedenis van de Wase Polders van de oudste tijden tot circa 1400." Annalen van de Koninklijke oudheidkundige kring van het Land van Waas 80(50): 5-136.
AUGUSTYN, B. (1985). "De turfwinnersdorpen Kieldrecht en Verrebroek in 1394: twee stadia in de evolutie van een proto-industriële naar een agrarische produktiewijze." Annalen van de Koninklijke oudheidkundige kring van het Land van Waas 88: 241-256.
BORGER, G. J. (1992). "Draining digging dredging; the creation of a new landscape in the peat areas of the low countries." Geobotany 18: 131-171.
DE GRAEF, P. (2012, to be published). "Moeilijke beginjaren van een polder. Indijking en rechtstreekse exploitatie van de Kallopoder (1649-1654)." Land van Beveren.
DE KRAKER, A. M. J. (1997). Landschap uit balans: de invloed van de natuur, de economie en de politiek op de ontwikkeling van het landschap van de Vier Ambachten en het Land van Saeftinghe tussen 1488 en 1609. Utrecht, Matrijs.
DE KRAKER, A. M. J. (2002). "Zeeuws-Vlaanderen als strategisch manipuleerbaar landschap." NEHA - Jaarboek 65: 32-48.
GOTTSCHALK, M. K. E. (1955-1958). Historische geografie van westelijk Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. Assen, Van Gorcum.
GOTTSCHALK, M. K. E. (1984). De Vier Ambachten en het Land van Saaftinge in de middeleeuwen: een historisch-geografisch onderzoek betreffende Oost Zeeuws-Vlaanderen c.a. Assen, Van Gorcum.
GUNS, P. (2008). Historische evolutie van het polderlandschap langs de linker Scheldeoever. Heruitgave ed itie 1973. Borgerhout, Waterbouwkundig Laboratorium.
JONGEPIER, I., T. SOENS, et al. (2012). Poldercartografie. De rol van kaarten bij bedijkingen en landschapstransformatie. Van brouck tot dyckagie. Vijf eeuwen Wase polders. B. Ooghe, C. Goossens and Y. Segers. Sint-Niklaas, Abimo.
JONGEPIER, I., T. SOENS, et al. (2011). "The brown gold: a reappraisal of medieval peat marshes in Northern Flanders (Belgium)." Water History 3(2): 73-93.
MASURE, H., I. JONGEPIER, et al. (2012). "Landschaps- en bewoningsevolutie van de Oud-Arenbergpolder, 17e- 19e eeuw." Tijd-schrift. Heemkunde en lokaal-erfgoedpraktijk in Vlaanderen 2(3): 34-49.
MIJS, M. (1973). "De landschapsgeschiedenis van de scheldepolders ten noorden van Antwerpen: bijdrage tot de historische geografie van de scheldepolders." Belgische vereniging voor aardrijkskundige studies 42(1): 39-124.
RIPPON, S. (2000). The Transformation of Coastal Wetlands: Exploitation and Management of Marshland Landscapes in North West Europe during the Roman and Medieval Periods. London, British Academy.
ROEGIERS, J., M. DEREZ, et al., Eds. (2002). Arenberg in de Lage Landen: een hoogadellijk huis in Vlaanderen en Nederland. Leuven, Universitaire Pers.
SOENS, T. (2009). "Doel en Antwerpen: de relatie tussen polderdorp en metropool gezien vanuit de landschapsgeschiedenis." Het Land van Beveren 52(3): 130-155.
SOENS, T. (2011). "Floods and money. Funding drainage and flood control in coastal Flanders (13th-16th centuries)." Continuity and change: a journal of social structure, law and demography in past societies 26(3): 333-365.
SOENS, T., P. DE GRAEF, et al. (2012). Boerenrepubliek in een heerlijk landschap? Een nieuwe kijk op de Wase polders als landschap en bestuur. Van brouck tot dyckagie. Vijf eeuwen Wase polders. B. Ooghe, C. Goossens and Y. Segers. Sint-Niklaas, Abimo.
VAN CRUYNINGEN, P. (2006). "Profits and risks in drainage projects in Staats-Vlaanderen, c. 1590-1665." Jaarboek voor Ecologische Geschiedenis 2005/2006: 123-142.
VAN DAM, P. J. E. M. (2001). "Sinking peat bogs: environmental change in Holland, 1350-1550." Environmental History 6(1): 32-45.
VAN GERVEN, R. (1977). De Scheldepolders van de Linkeroever (Land van Waas en Land van Beveren): bijdrage tot de geschiedenis van natuur, land, volk. Beveren.
VERHEGGE, J., T. MISSIAEN, et al. (2012). "Preliminary results of an archaeological survey of the land- sea transition at Doelpolder Noord (prov. of Antwerp, B)." Notae Praehistoricae 32: 165-174.
VOS, P. C. and R. M. VAN HEERINGEN (1997). Holocene geology and occupation history of the province of Zeeland. Holocene evolution of Zeeland (SW Netherlands). M. M. Fischer. Haarlem, Netherlands Institute of Applied Geoscience TNO: 3-109.