History of Amsterdam - Medieval Feudality

Medieval Feudality

In 1204, the inhabitants of Kennemer penetrated the aggrem Aemestel, the Amstel dike, resulting in the destruction of the house of Gijsbrecht van Aemstel.

A more important year in the history of Amsterdam was 1275. While Amstelland fell under the administrative jurisdiction of the Prince-bishop's Sticht Utrecht, Count Floris V of Holland granted the fishmen exemption from tolls. This document, dated 27 October, is the oldest recorded usage of the name "Amsterdam". This meant the inhabitants in the vicinity of Amestelledamme had right to travel through the county Holland without having to pay toll. After the murder of Floris in 1296, Amstelland again belonged to the Sticht. By 1327, the name had developed into Aemsterdam.

Around 1300, Gwijde van Henegouwen, bishop of Utrecht, gave Amsterdam city rights. After his death, Count Willem III inherited Amstelland, upon which Amsterdam thenceforth fell under Holland.

In 1323, Willem III established a toll on the trade of beer from Hamburg. The contacts laid through the beer trade formed the basis for subsequent trade with cities of the Hanseatic league in the Baltic Sea, from where during the 14th and 15th centuries the Amsterdammers increasingly acquired grain and timber. In 1342, Count Willem IV awarded the city "Groot Privilege", which greatly strengthened the position of the city. During the 15th century, Amsterdam became the granary of the northern low countries and the most important trading city in Holland.

According to legend, on 12 March 1345, the miracle of Amsterdam occurred and Amsterdam became an important pilgrimage town. The town grew considerably thanks to the pilgrims. A Roman Catholic procession (Stille Omgang) occurs every year to celebrate the miracle.

Two great fires swept through the city in 1421 and 1452. After the second, where three quarters of the city were destroyed, Emperor Charles decreed that new houses were to be built from stone. Few wooden building remain from this period, a notable exception being the Houten Huis (Wooden House) at the Begijnhof.