User:Mighty Wodan/Wijerd Jelckama

Statue of Pier Gerlofs Donia, Jelckama's famous uncle whom he came after as leader

Wijerd Jelckama (also spelled Wierd and Wijard) (c. 1490–1523), nicknamed groote Wierd, 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 with him 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 seven feet tall and once lifted a 1000-pound horse above his head.

Early life

Jelckama was born in 1490 in a big family of farmers and petty noblemen. He was related by his mother to Pier Gerlofs Donia. His mother was Donia's sister, making Jelckama Donia's nephew. He was descended from knights who had been in the Crusades. One of his ancestors from his father's side of the family had died at the Siege of Antioch. Other relatives of Jelckama included: Jancko Douwama and Haring Harinxma, famous Frisian rebels and warlords, and (probably) some dukes of Frisia.

Rebellion

Together with his uncle, Jelckama fought against the Saxon warriors that occupied their homeland of Frisia. He fought side by side with his uncle at the capture of Medemblik, and in the siege of Middelburg castle. His uncle was on a personal mission to avenge the death of his only son and wife, who were killed by a Saxon landsknecht regiment called the Black Band.

As well as the area occupied by the Saxons, parts of Frisia were conquered by Denmark, Holland, and local duchies. Donia and Jelckama wanted to free Frisia of all foreign powers and regain independence.

Painting of Donia and Wijerd Jelckama fighting for the freedom of his people. The painting is called: "Dapperheid van Grote Pier", which means: "Bravery of Greate Pyr".

Under the leadership of Donia, they used guerilla tactics and gained several victories such as the successful siege of two Hollandic castles and the city of Medemblik. Their greatest success, however, came at sea, where Donia and Jelckama sank 28 Dutch ships, earning Donia the title "Cross of the Dutchmen".

The rebels were given money to help them by Charles of Egmond. He said he was the true Duke of Geulders in opposition to the Habsburgs, who said the Duchy was theirs. Charles also used mercenaries commanded by Maarten van Rossum in their support. However, when the rebels started losing after 1520, Charles ended his support. When the Duke did this, the rebels could no longer afford to pay their mercenary army. About the same time, Arumer Zwarte Hoop also lost their leader. In 1519, Donia's health grew worse. He retired to his farm where he died in 1520. He was buried in Sneek in the 15th-century Groote Kerk (also called the Martinikerk).

Jelckama took over the command of the armies, then made up of over 4,000 soldiers from Arum and Guelders. Jelckama also gained some minor victories, but proved to be a less competent commander and slowly lost men. Jelckama and his soldiers took part in acts of piracy and stole many villages in the Frisian lands, losing the trust and support of their own people. The fact that Jelckama was less likable than his dead uncle also hurt his ability to command: he made less fruitful alliances and lost more than he made. All this would lead to the defeat of Jelckama and his army.

Death

He and what was left of the Frisian army, were captured in 1523 and taken to the city of Leeuwarden in Frisia, after a series of defeats. It was a regiment of landsknechts, known as the Black Band, that captured the infamous rebel. The execution of the last few Frisian rebels happened in public. It took the executioner four hits to cut off Jelckama's head from his very thick neck. With the death of Jelckama and the rebels, the independence of Frisia came to an end. It was the last successful revolt in Frisian history and is remembered as such to this day.