EXCURSION WAASLAND SCHELDT POLDERS AND LAND VAN SAEFTINGHE

19/03/2013

Morning Program

Katrien Heirman - Iason Jongepier - Tine Missiaen - Peter Vos

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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

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I. Jongepier

1. Borringstraat, Verrebroek

2. Kreek, Kieldrecht

3. Zoetenberm, Doel

4. Pastorijstraat, Doel

5. Belgische dreef, Kieldrecht

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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”.

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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

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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

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After the tactical inundations, a smaller area was re-embanked in 1613/1614 and Doel-town was

founded.

Present day Doel-town

N

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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

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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

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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.

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SELECTED REFERENCES

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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.

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