In June of 1673, the French king Louis XIV, The Sun King, lay siege on the Dutch city of Maastricht and conquered it in only 13 days as part of his campaign in the Franco-Dutch war. After that,...Show moreIn June of 1673, the French king Louis XIV, The Sun King, lay siege on the Dutch city of Maastricht and conquered it in only 13 days as part of his campaign in the Franco-Dutch war. After that, during the French occupation of Maastricht between 1673 and 1678, famous military engineer Sebastién le Prestre de Vauban made alterations to the fortifications of Maastricht. The events leading up to the siege, the siege itself and the aftermath of the siege are most intensively studied by historical sources. This results in the fact that the current state of spatial knowledge about these events is limited. This study aims to expand on the current state of knowledge about the preparations, execution and aftermath of the siege of Maastricht in 1673 by including cartographic and archaeological sources. By comparing these three types of sources, and investigating whether they confirm, complement or contradict each other, the current state of knowledge on the topic is expanded.Show less
In the period from 1590 to 1600, changes took place in the State army. Prince Maurits carried out reforms together with Willem Lodewijk. They studied sources from Classical Antiquity on, amongst...Show moreIn the period from 1590 to 1600, changes took place in the State army. Prince Maurits carried out reforms together with Willem Lodewijk. They studied sources from Classical Antiquity on, amongst others, Roman military strategies and the construction of Roman army camps. They used this knowledge as a source of inspiration and they applied many elements from the Roman army to the State army. For example, think of the introduction of command language. The most important introduction was the drill of soldiers, which required a lot of training and discipline. The introduction of training and discipline ensured that the State soldiers were well trained and that they knew better what do to during a combat. The result was that the State army won more regularly and that they could win in smaller units. Discipline therefore was very important in the reformed State army and that is why this research is also referred to as a discipline revolution. It is to be expected that these organizational reforms can also be recognized in State siege camps. Before the reforms were introduced, the State army camps had no fixed form, organized structure or fixed elements. Due to the introduction of discipline and changes in war strategy, it may be expected that changes have occurred within the camps of the State army. Many studies have been carried out in recent decades about the State army and the changes in their strategy, for example. However about the life of a State soldier (such as the food supply within the army) and how the structure of State siege camps changed after the introduction of the organizational reforms has hardly been researched. In this research, State army camps (before the organizational reforms) and State and Spanish siege camps (after the organizational reforms) are examined and compared with each other. The period after the Twelve Years' Truce (1621-1648) was chosen to study the State and Spanish siege camps. As already mentioned, it may be expected that State army camps differ from the later State siege camps in the implementation of organizational reforms. In addition, Spanish siege camps will not have a fixed structure or fixed elements, because during the Eighty Years' War (1568-1648) no organizational reforms took place within the Spanish army. To compare this, historical (siege) maps have been analysed and in addition the archaeology of the (so far) only two archaeologically excavated State siege camps has been analysed. Additionally, the changes in the logistics of food supplies in the State army as a result of the organizational reforms are studied as well.Show less
The early modern period, spanning from c. 1500-1750 A.D., is a turbulent era for the maritime trade and the maritime landscape as a whole. Developments in shipbuilding techniques and international...Show moreThe early modern period, spanning from c. 1500-1750 A.D., is a turbulent era for the maritime trade and the maritime landscape as a whole. Developments in shipbuilding techniques and international economics means that already existing trade-routes expand and the rise of intercontinental trade and large conglomerates. The increasing importance of maritime trade is also visible in the archaeological record which shows a steady rise in the amount of shipwrecks during this period. Advances in modern technology and an ever increasing amount of fishing vessels means that these wrecks also get uncovered at a higher rate than ever before. Researching this ever growing amount of maritime archaeological sites with limited means has proven to be a challenge and many ships remain unpublished when they eventually degrade. Furthermore, when ships do get researched they are often treated as single individual sites with an outdated view of what a shipwreck assemblage actually is. Often the intangible aspects and the bigger picture are ignored. This thesis therefore aimed to research the trade-route for a large number of shipwrecks by looking at their assemblage. At the same time, the aim was to research these assemblages as efficiently as possible by using the classification system created by Reinders in the 80’s. The results show that researching trade-routes via shipwreck assemblages gives a much more detailed view of each ship’s trade-route. It is important though to first research each aspect individually to prevent any bias, before combining the results to come to a conclusion. Furthermore, the importance of the intangible aspects of a shipwreck’s assemblage becomes clear during the scope of this thesis as the information gained from this is often even more valuable than that gained from the tangible. The results also show that using the functional classification system created by Reinders makes researching shipwreck assemblages far easier and more efficient. It is even possible to link the categories from this system to specific trade-route identifying features. However, the classification system would benefit further defining its categories.Show less
This thesis discusses the development of medieval house cellars in urban context. This will be done through the study of three Dutch towns ('s-Hertogenbosch, Arnhem and Deventer). The questions...Show moreThis thesis discusses the development of medieval house cellars in urban context. This will be done through the study of three Dutch towns ('s-Hertogenbosch, Arnhem and Deventer). The questions addressed in this study concern their characteristics (such as vaulting types, visible chronology and city specific types) and their functions (such as fire-safe spaces and general functions of medieval districts). The conclusions will highlight which characteristics are distinguishable. Primarily, that the 15th century is the appropriate era for cellars and that there is a large local variation with city-specific cellars, which is particularly the case in Deventer. An overview of the dimensions of all the investigated cellars is given. Cellars were not only used as storage, but also as a workshop or living space. They might also be related to city fires and the demand for fire-safe areas. Finally, cellars can only contribute to a limited extent to the identification of the functions of urban districts.Show less
The ‘Harvest of Malta’ report by Cleijne analysed the foundation methods of late-medieval buildings in ten cities in The Netherlands. Excavations in Kampen between 1987 and 2014 have revealed...Show moreThe ‘Harvest of Malta’ report by Cleijne analysed the foundation methods of late-medieval buildings in ten cities in The Netherlands. Excavations in Kampen between 1987 and 2014 have revealed sixteen timber foundations of late-medieval timber and timber-framed buildings, some of which appeared to be fairly uncommon. Kampen was not part of the ten selected cities in the ‘Harvest of Malta’ report, therefore the uncommon foundation methods found in Kampen did not undergo an extensive analysis. The research in this thesis analyses the sixteen timber foundations in Kampen. This will be done by studying the date, dimensions, foundation type and foundation methods, interior layout and characteristics of the superstructure of the timber and timber-framed buildings of Kampen. Furthermore, the research will analyse how the sixteen timber foundations of Kampen associate with soil type and building size. Brick foundations are left out of the dataset deliberately. All the results of the analysis are put into a table. Seven foundation types could be distinguished in the archaeological dataset of Kampen. These foundation types were categorized as KFT1 – KFT7. The foundation types included earthfast pile foundations (KFT1), pad foundations (KFT2, KFT3 and KFT6), strip foundations (KFT7) and the uncommon ‘strip and pad’ foundation (KFT4 and KFT5). This foundation type consisted of multiple layers of long horizontally placed sapling poles with stacks of wooden blocks on top. KFT3 was the most prevalent in Kampen and dated from 1300-1375. No relation between a particular foundation type and soil type could be established out of the archaeological dataset of Kampen. Furthermore, the sample size of the timber foundations was too small to establish a relation between timber foundations and building size. Narrow-fronted buildings were the most prevalent building shape in Kampen. Only townhouses were found in Kampen. Most buildings of the archaeological dataset of Kampen were free-standing at the time of construction. One-aisled buildings were the most prevalent in the archaeological dataset of Kampen. 25% of the buildings from the archaeological dataset of Kampen had hearths in comparison with the 5% of the ten cities studied in the ‘Harvest of Malta’ report. Lastly, Cleijne states in the ‘Harvest of Malta’ report that the order of steps of the ‘verstening’ process is not fixed. The archaeological dataset of Kampen shows that the first step in the ‘verstening’ process can also be the hearth instead of the foundation. It is clear that the timber buildings and timber-framed buildings in Kampen have uncommon characteristics and subsequent research could contribute more to our understanding of the ‘verstening’ process in Kampen. Show less
This MA thesis research has taken all of the available archaeological and historical research related to medieval Trellech to address the ongoing debate regarding the precise location and layout of...Show moreThis MA thesis research has taken all of the available archaeological and historical research related to medieval Trellech to address the ongoing debate regarding the precise location and layout of the original settlement, as well as investigate the exact cause and time of the decline of this town.This thesis was not able to provide a definitive conclusion to the debate surrounding the location of 13th century Trellech. However, the available archaeological evidence tips the scales heavily in favour of the theory that places the centre of medieval Trellech along Catbrook Road, rather than the current village centre. The Lost City of Trellech project has provided strong archaeological evidence for this theory, but is hampered by a lack of academic publications. Further excavation of the site is needed, but a focus on analysing the available but unprocessed archaeological data should be a high priority. The available archaeological evidence points to a hiatus of activity in the 15th century for most of the excavated areas of Trellech. The historical evidence seems to confirm this, leading to the conclusion that the 15th century was the start of Trellech’s decline from major town to the small village it currently is. Based on the available evidence, the combination of the Black Death that hit Trellech in the second half of the 14th century, combined with the revolt of Owain Glyn Dŵr in the early 15th century, seems the obvious cause of this decline, though further research is needed.Show less
This thesis focuses on ceramics and glass artefacts and on bird bones that were, in the main, recovered from the cesspits of monk cells in the Carthusian monastery near Delft. The thesis...Show moreThis thesis focuses on ceramics and glass artefacts and on bird bones that were, in the main, recovered from the cesspits of monk cells in the Carthusian monastery near Delft. The thesis investigates whether the monks adhered strictly to the Carthusian rule or if they were ordered by the more lenient rules that seemed to be more common in the 15th and 16th centuries. The material culture suggests that the monks led a less sober life than what may be expected.Show less
In this thesis there is researched to what extent the period defined as Breda’s Golden Era (the first half of the 16th century) is visible in the development of cesspits and import ceramics. Three...Show moreIn this thesis there is researched to what extent the period defined as Breda’s Golden Era (the first half of the 16th century) is visible in the development of cesspits and import ceramics. Three research questions form the focus point of this thesis. First there is investigated to what extent the demographic development of Breda coincides with the economic development of the city. Second there is researched to what extent the economic and demographic development of Breda is reflected in the development of cesspits. And last there is investigated to what extent the economic and demographic development of Breda are reflected in the development of import ceramics. The economic development seems to coincide with the demographic development. Four phases are distinguished based on these developments in order to set a base to which the archaeological data will be compared. Phase 1 (1100-1404) includes the start and steady growth of Breda. Phase 2 (1404-1504) includes a stronger economic growth of the city. Phase 3 (1504-1566) marks the period referred to as the Golden Era of the city and phase 4 (1566-1648) marks the decline of Breda. The first working hypothesis, the recognition of Breda’s Golden Era in the development in number of cesspits, is more or less confirmed as the development in number of cesspits coincides for a large part with the development in density of population. The density of population regarding the number of civilians seems to coincide better with the development of cesspits than the density of population including both civilians and militaries, which resided in the city during the Eighty Year’s War (1568-1648). The second working hypothesis, the recognition of Breda’s Golden Era in the development in import ceramics, is also confirmed as the peak in total number of import ceramics coincides with Breda’s Golden Era and the low in total number of import ceramics with the decline of the city during the Eighty Year’s War (1568-1648).Show less
During an excavation in 1998 at the junction of the Hoogstraat/Lange Wolstraat in Sluis, many waste contexts were found that contained glass. A total of 124 individuals were encountered. The...Show moreDuring an excavation in 1998 at the junction of the Hoogstraat/Lange Wolstraat in Sluis, many waste contexts were found that contained glass. A total of 124 individuals were encountered. The contexts were divided into two periods: 1300-1400 and 1400-1500. 98 glasses date from the 14th century, 26 date from the 15th century. In the 14th century most glasses were probably made in the Mediterranean, in the 15th century, most were probably made of Waldglas. In the Low Countries there is no site where such glasses in such an amount were found as in Sluis. Most sites in the Low Countries have a higher MNI in the 15th century, not in the 14th century. The sites, even along the same river, may show a different assemblage. In the 14th century, the sites west of Utrecht have relatively more Maigelbecher than sites east of Utrecht. In the 15th century, the sites west of Utrecht have relatively more Maigeleins than sites east of Utrecht. In general the MNI increases from the 14th to the 15th century and of the drinking vessels the Maigelbecher, Maigeleins and prunted beakers (Waldglas) start to dominate the assemblage.Show less
The most important concept in warfare in early-modern Europe and the construction of fortifications is the Military Revolution of 1560-1660. This revolution is among others characterised by a...Show moreThe most important concept in warfare in early-modern Europe and the construction of fortifications is the Military Revolution of 1560-1660. This revolution is among others characterised by a change in military tactics, strategy and size of early-modern armies and the qualitative and quantitative improvements on the field of weaponry, together with the development of the trace Italienne (bastioned fortification system). This eventually led to a great change of fortification systems and the important change from battles between large standing armies to sieges. The constant evaluation and innovation on the field of military fortifications eventually led to the formation of multiple fortification systems as the Italian Fortification Systems, Old Dutch Fortification System, Improved Dutch Fortification System, French Fortification System and New Dutch Fortification System. When the theory is to be followed, the constructed field sconces would have been constructed according to the most modern fortification system of their time, and show signs of improvement and innovation during the years the fortifications would have been in use. The former is stressed and researched by studying the Bordeelschans (1604), the Zwartendijksterschans (1593-1672) and schans Altena (1597, 1605 and 1627). Eventually there is tried to research to what extent the effects of the Military Revolution, with the various constructive innovations on the field of field sconces and fortification systems, are noticeable in historical and archaeological datasets and implemented in the construction of (field) sconces in the Dutch Republic during the period of 1583-1695. This thesis also adress the importance and the need of an interdisciplinary approachShow less
