Warning! History Content
As the Franks started the expansion of their territory by conquering other peoples to the east and north of them, they didin’t only bring their rules and regulation, but also Christianity. The Franks had already been converted to Christianity a long time before, but the Frisians and Saxons were still Pagans. They had never been part of the Roman Empire, so when the Romans adopted Christianity as their main religion in 313, the Frisians kept hold of their old religion until the Franks started to conquer them from about 700 onwards.
Missionaries were soon send into the territories conquered by the Franks to convert the people. These missionaries were monks and most of them came from England. Some focussed on converting the Frisians, others the Saxons.
Romanesque church of Olderbekoop, built c.1125
But the Frisians were a resilient bunch. They hated the idea of a new religion and much rather stuck to their old one. Willibrord was one of the first English missionaries to go to the Frisians. He had only limited success. The pope even ordained him as bishop of Utrecht in 695, but it didn’t help much.
After King Radbod, a staunch supporter of the old religion, had died in 719, Willibrord had some more success. By then he had enlisted the help of another English monk named Boniface. Together they kept converting the Frisians and Saxons, building small wooden churches on the spot of pagan sacred sites, but the results were mixed. Not until after 734 and the battle at the Frisian River Boorne, were the Frisians officially incorporated into the Frankish Kingdom and could the converting start in earnest. Next to baptising people, building new churches and monasteries, Boniface laid the foundation for the church as an organisation.
It’s important to remember that even though many of the Frisians and Saxons were converted to Christianity, some of them remained true to the old believes for many years. It seemed that even our bishop Radbod found pockets of paganism in his see and this was 150 years after the Battle of the Boorne. He is said to have built a church on top of an old pagan offering stone in a village called Zweeloo, not too far from Emmen. But in the course of time the old religion was replaced by the new one and this had a great impact on the history of Europe.
Short side note.
Church of Eelde, built c.1130 on top of an older one
I am aware that some people find it difficult to read or hear about Christianity as part of the history of Europe. They seem to think that they’re converted just by reading about it, which of course is rubbish.
Mentioning Christianity with regards to history has nothing whatsoever to do with personal religious believes. The fact simply is that until about 150 years ago, Christianity was an integral part of the history of the western world and as such it will be mentioned by me.
This same goes for actual church buildings. When I mention them, I do this from an architectural and historical view point, so there is nothing to be afraid about.
Both pictures are taken by my father, Henk Staal.
You know the old cliche – those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it – it’s so true. Folks would be wise to study it rather than get offended – knowledge about religion is the best defense against it if that’s your goal.
I’m an atheist, but I find religious history to be very interesting, even the parts I find repellent, mostly because it strengthens my position, although I have complete and unwavering respect for others to cling to their belief if that’s what they choose, as long as their beliefs do not infringe on my rights.
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