Frisian Kingdom

Frisian Kingdom
Fryske Keninkryk (West Frisian)
c. 600–734
The Frisian Realm. The Frisian Kingdom covered only several the western district, and ended in 719, or, at its latest 734.
The Frisian Realm. The Frisian Kingdom covered only several the western district, and ended in 719, or, at its latest 734.
CapitalDorestad
Traiectum (Utrecht)
Common languagesOld Frisian
Religion
Germanic paganism
Demonym(s)Frisian
GovernmentMonarchy
King 
• c. 650 – c. 680
Aldgisl
• c. 680–719
Redbad
• 719–734
Poppo
History 
• Established
c. 600
• Disestablished
734
CurrencySceat[1]
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Germania
Francia
Today part ofNetherlands
Germany
Belgium

The Frisian Kingdom (West Frisian: Fryske Keninkryk) is a modern name for the post-Roman Frisian realm in Western Europe in the period when it was at its largest (650–734). This dominion was ruled by kings and emerged in the mid-7th century and probably ended with the Battle of the Boarn in 734 when the Frisians were defeated by the Frankish Empire. It lay mainly in what is now the Netherlands and – according to some 19th century authors – extended from the Zwin near Bruges in Belgium to the Weser in Germany. The center of power was the city of Utrecht.

In medieval writings, the region is designated by the Latin term Frisia. There is a dispute among historians about the extent of this realm; There is no documentary evidence for the existence of a permanent central authority. Possibly, Frisia consisted of multiple petty kingdoms, which transformed in time of war to a unit to resist invading powers, and then headed by an elected leader, the primus inter pares. It is possible that Redbad established an administrative unit. Among the Frisians at that time, there was no feudal system.[2]

  1. ^ De eerste koningen van Nederland, p. 22, Aspekt útjouwerij, p. 205. ISBN 978-90-5911-323-7
  2. ^ Dijkstra, Menno (2011). Rondom de mondingen van Rijn & Maas: Landschap en bewoning tussen de 3e en 9e eeuw in Zuid-Holland, in het bijzonder de Oude Rijnstreek. Sidestone Press. ISBN 9789088900785.