Ellen Lloyd - AncientPages.com - Known by his nickname, Grutte Pier was a man of extraordinary strength and size. His real name was Pier Gerlofs Donia, and he was born in 1480 in Kimswerd near Harlingen, Wonseradeel (modern Friesland, Netherlands).
"De dapperheid van Grote Pier" (The bravery of Grote Pier), anno 1516, Oil on canvas by Johannes Hinderikus Egenberger, (Arnhem 1822 – Utrecht 1897). Credit: Public Domain
He was a unique individual who should have been an ordinary farm boy, but when his village was plundered and his wife killed, he sought revenge on those who cost him pain and sorrow. To some, Grutte Pier was just a brutal rebel and pirate, but many regarded him as a legendary freedom fighter.
The Black Band Landsknechts - Feared European Mercenaries
On 29 January 1515, the Black Band landsknechts entered his village. The arrival of these German mercenaries made people tremble with fear.
During the 16th century, these Black Band landsknechts were the most feared soldiers on Europe's battlefields.
Like the Varangian Guard, they were military warriors hired to participate in an armed conflict.
In Grutte Pier's village, the Black Band landsknechts burned the church and Donia's estate. They murdered and plundered. Rintze Syrtsema, the wife of Grutte Pier, was raped and killed.
Image from an 1622, non-copyrighted historical book. It shows en:Pier Gerlofs Donia, or en:Grutte Pier, a en:Frisian en:freedom fighter, en:rebel and en:folk hero. It was made, over hundred years after the man depicted n it, died, so on ist historically accuracy might be some discussion (although it shows us an accurant painting of he man, he ain't whearing 16th centure clothes, but is dressed in 17th century clothing). Public Domain
Seeking revenge, Grutte Pier allied himself with Charles of Egmond, Duke of Gueldersand started a guerrilla war campaign against the House of Habsburg, also called the House of Austria. Grutte Pier blamed the Habsburg authorities for the events because they had employed the murderous regiment.
Pier Gerlofs Donia And His Arumer Zwarte Hoop Became Pirates
Grutte Pier received financial support from Charles II, Duke of Guelders, and his military campaign was successful.
The Arumer Zwarte Hoop's band consisted of peasant rebels who became dangerous pirates. Pier's pirates captured several English and Dutch ships using guerrilla tactics.
In Medemblik, the Arumer Zwarte Hoop also managed to siege two castles. It was an outstanding military achievement but at the cost of many victims. Grutte Pier and the Arumer Zwarte Hoop plundered Medemblik, killed many inhabitants, and some were taken as prisoners.
When Pier and his army stormed Nieuwburg and Middleburg Castle near Alkmaar, they plundered and set them on fire, leaving only ruins. Now he and the Arumer Zwarte Hoop were controlling a strategic military area.
In 1517, the Arumer Zwarte Hoop captured the town of Asperen, where they killed almost all inhabitants.
Pier's Forces Could Not Win Over The Habsburgs
Grutte Pier's freedom fight was undoubtedly successful, but he was also criticized for killing many innocent people.
Ultimately, the Habsburgs were too strong and couldn't be defeated.
Statue of Grutte Pier in his hometown of Kimswerd. The line of text on the foot of the statue reads in Frisian, "Grutte Pier." Credit: Public Domain - CC BY-SA 3.0
In 1519, Grutte Pier retired, and Lieutenant Wijerd Jelckama took command of the Arumer Zwarte Hoop. The peasant rebels fought for some years until they were finally captured and executed in 1523.
Grutte Pier died peacefully on 18 October 1520. Though he had no sons, he has many descendants through his daughter, Wobel. His tomb is located in the city of Sneek.
Grutte Pier And His Legendary Sword
At the Fries Museum in Leeuwarden, a giant sword is on display. It is said that it once belonged to Grutte Pier. These swords are known as Zweihänders and were primarily associated with Swiss or German mercenaries known as Landsknecht.
Grutte Pier's sword measures 2.13 meters (7 ft) in length and weighs about 6.6 kilograms (14.6 lb). It takes someone of extraordinary strength to use this kind of sword.
According to his Lieutenant Wijerd Jelckama, Grutte Pier could wield the sword and behead multiple people with it in a single blow. The Frisian pirate and freedom fighter was so strong that he could bend coins using his thumb, index, and middle finger. His giant helmet can be viewed in the town hall of Sneek.
Was Grutte Pier a giant? He was tall, but it's hard to classify him as a giant. Records state that his height was about 213 cm.
Long after his death, Grutte Pier became a legend giving rise to stories of other strong men in Germanic heroic literature.
Written by Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com
Updated on June 13, 2024
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