Artikelen

• ‘Dat huus stoet up viere pylare’. De betekenis van het kastelenbouwprogramma van Floris V

  Frequently buildings are also defined by the significance deliberately attached to the building in question by the commissioning authority. This also applies for buildings from the Middle Ages and the significance of medieval religious buildings has more than once been the subject of research. We are intrigued by the question whether such a significance can also be pointed out in profane medieval buildings.

  We have chosen the castle-building programme of Floris V in West Friesland as our object of research. In doing so we distinguish two levels: the level of the type of castle – the quadrangular castle – and the level of the total concept. We see this concept as a spatially connected series of five castles, interrelated by the West- Frisian Omringdijk with Muiderslot as an outpost and with the objective of consolidating power in the newly conquered area.

  We have based our research on a method developed by Günter Bandmann, which proved to be practicable in the research into the significance of religious medieval buildings. On the strength of the outcome of our research based on the four categories of meaning distinguished by Bandmann: the historical, the allegorical, the symbolic and the aesthetic, we can conclude that especially the historical and allegorical categories of meaning offer a lot of leads.

  Particularly literary sources provide surprising insights here. It notably concerns the works written by the teacher of Floris V, Jacob van Maerlant, at Voorne under the authority of Aleid van Avesnes, the aunt at whose house Floris grew up. In our opinion the ideas and symbolism in the literary works of Van Maerlant are reflected in the type of castle chosen by Floris V and in his total concept of it. We think that in his castle-building programme Floris did not only express his power, but also his victory over the Frisians and the fact that he had avenged the murder of his father, the Roman Catholic king Willem II, by the West Frisians. In addition, he proved to aspire after a sovereign hereditary power, not an elected power as his father’s was. In his aspirations he expressed that he, as the son of a king, possessed the qualities which a good sovereign should have and that he thought he was entitled to the monarchy.

  In brief: we think that Floris V, just as the medieval commissioning authorities of religious buildings, deliberately gave significance to his profane buildings.

  Frequently buildings are also defined by the significance deliberately attached to the building in question by the commissioning authority. This also applies for buildings from the Middle Ages and the significance of medieval religious buildings has more than once been the subject of research. We are intrigued by the question whether such a significance can also be pointed out in profane medieval buildings.

  We have chosen the castle-building programme of Floris V in West Friesland as our object of research. In doing so we distinguish two levels: the level of the type of castle – the quadrangular castle – and the level of the total concept. We see this concept as a spatially connected series of five castles, interrelated by the West- Frisian Omringdijk with Muiderslot as an outpost and with the objective of consolidating power in the newly conquered area.

  We have based our research on a method developed by Günter Bandmann, which proved to be practicable in the...

  Frequently buildings are also defined by the significance deliberately attached to the building in question by the commissioning authority. This also applies for buildings from the Middle Ages and the significance of medieval religious buildings has more than once been the subject of research....

  Geeske Bakker, Jan de Rode, Kees Verbogt

  50-64

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• Kasteelruïne Valkenburg. Van overgroeide steenhoop tot geconsolideerde ruïne

  In the introduction the unique character of Valkenburg castle is pointed out in comparison with other castles and ruins in the Netherlands. As it is an elevated castle (rare for the Netherlands) it does not fit in with the typo-chronological outline of H.L. Janssen. Because of the complicated building history of Valkenburg castle with its numerous building periods, it takes up a special place in Dutch building and architectural history.

  A consolidation campaign in progress at the moment offered a good opportunity to pay renewed attention to the large changes the ruin went through during the past 150 years. The consolidation periods will be investigated, the accompanying restoration ethics and the building-historical and archaeological research – which, for that matter, will not be discussed as regards content.

  The castle, built around 1115, was repeatedly destroyed and subsequently built up again; for the last time shortly after 1644, until finally in 1672 the definitive end came when the troops of the States General destroyed the complex almost completely. For two centuries it remained a desolate heap of rubble. The rise of tourism, as well as the growing interest in preservation of monuments and historic buildings resulted in an increasing number of visitors and for the first time consolidation, or even restoration were considered.

  However, reconstruction proved to be unfeasible due to lack of funds. From 1900 onwards the local VVV (Tourist Information Office) stimulated the opening and exploitation of the ruin; after 1924 this task was taken over by the ‘Stichting Kasteel van Valkenburg’. From 1920 onwards a lengthy consolidation procedure followed under the direction of the architect W. Sprenger; first a huge amount of rubble had to be cleared, followed by restoration of the surviving walls. From 1935 until after the war excavations also took place, in which several older building periods were brought to light. In the fifties for the first time stratigraphic research was also carried out at the inner courtyard.

  After 1972 a second restoration period followed in which the polygonal towers uncovered much earlier were consolidated. In connection with this an extensive archaeological research was carried out at the inner courtyard with surprising results. The oldest phase – a rectangular tower destroyed in 1122 – was discovered during this research. At the moment (2010) a third consolidation phase is in progress, notably aimed at technical restoration. Research plays a minor part in this.

  In the introduction the unique character of Valkenburg castle is pointed out in comparison with other castles and ruins in the Netherlands. As it is an elevated castle (rare for the Netherlands) it does not fit in with the typo-chronological outline of H.L. Janssen. Because of the complicated building history of Valkenburg castle with its numerous building periods, it takes up a special place in Dutch building and architectural history.

  A consolidation campaign in progress at the moment offered a good opportunity to pay renewed attention to the large changes the ruin went through during the past 150 years. The consolidation periods will be investigated, the accompanying restoration ethics and the building-historical and archaeological research – which, for that matter, will not be discussed as regards content.

  The castle, built around 1115, was repeatedly destroyed and subsequently built up again; for the last time shortly after 1644, until finally in 1672 the...

  In the introduction the unique character of Valkenburg castle is pointed out in comparison with other castles and ruins in the Netherlands. As it is an elevated castle (rare for the Netherlands) it does not fit in with the typo-chronological outline of H.L. Janssen. Because of the complicated...

  Tammo C. Bauer

  65-75

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• De hoofdvleugel van de kasteelruïne Valkenburg aan de Geul

  The ruin of Valkenburg castle (province of Limburg) is situated on a hill in the southernmost part of the Netherlands. Although various consolidations and archaeological activities took place in the past one and a half centuries, relatively little attention was paid to the building history of the main wing. At present this has been measured once again, whereby colours were attributed to the various building phases.

  The oldest phase (brown) dates back to the 13th century, but the main wing as such was built in the second quarter of the 14th century (coloured yellow). On one side a chapel with chevet is now visible, but previously this was a storage room, probably with a kitchen above it and above that a living space.

  With the arrival of the chapel the three original floors were converted into two floors. At the time of the Eighty Years’ War (1568-1648) the ground floor was divided by means of crosswalls (green), just as the floor above it. During this renovation the wall thickness was reduced on the level of the floor.

  The building history of the wing proves to be more complicated than was assumed so far. The ruin leaves many questions unanswered; various solutions continue to be possible.

  The ruin of Valkenburg castle (province of Limburg) is situated on a hill in the southernmost part of the Netherlands. Although various consolidations and archaeological activities took place in the past one and a half centuries, relatively little attention was paid to the building history of the main wing. At present this has been measured once again, whereby colours were attributed to the various building phases.

  The oldest phase (brown) dates back to the 13th century, but the main wing as such was built in the second quarter of the 14th century (coloured yellow). On one side a chapel with chevet is now visible, but previously this was a storage room, probably with a kitchen above it and above that a living space.

  With the arrival of the chapel the three original floors were converted into two floors. At the time of the Eighty Years’ War (1568-1648) the ground floor was divided by means of crosswalls (green), just as the floor above it. During this renovation...

  The ruin of Valkenburg castle (province of Limburg) is situated on a hill in the southernmost part of the Netherlands. Although various consolidations and archaeological activities took place in the past one and a half centuries, relatively little attention was paid to the building history of...

  Jörg Soentgerath

  76-85

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• Kasteelruïnes en reconstructies. Een analyse van de herbouw van Nederhemert

  This article deals with the reconstruction of Nederhemert castle, placing it within the wider context of the history, theory and practice of the Netherlands Cultural Heritage Agency. Nederhemert dates back to the fourteenth century and was extended in fourteen building phases to form the castle as it was until the fatal fire in 1945. From that time onwards the burnt-out building was falling into ever further decay. In 2001, prior to the start of the reconstruction, not much more was left of it than a ruin of dilapidated, but from a building-historical point of view very valuable cellars and remnants of walls with medieval brickwork.

  Two facts were important for the decision to reconstruct this castle and for the way in which this could be done. The building-historical research carried out by J. Kamphuis in 1985 had provided much insight into the building- historical ‘source value’ of the castle. The consultations with experts in the field of castles, building history and preservation of monuments and historic buildings initiated in 1991 by the owner Stichting Vrienden der Geldersche Kastelen was decisive for taking the situation of around 1781 as the starting point for the reconstruction.

  From 1994-2001 architect W. Kramer was in charge of drawing up the restoration plan. An analysis of the reconstruction plan and the planning and evaluation process made it clear that the dividing line between ‘scientifically sound’ reconstruction and architectonic interpretation is difficult to define both for the owner/commissioner and the official, evaluating Monuments and Historic Buildings Departments. Moreover, a principal discussion on the why and wherefore of reconstruction was avoided.

  The fact that for this reason the reconstruction of Nederhemert is neither one thing nor the other will be particularly clear when reading the review included in this article of the history, theory and practice of the Netherlands Cultural Heritage Agency in the field of ruins (of castles) and decayed castles. Nederhemert castle resulted in a combination of partial reconstruction and new construction, which was legitimized with arguments given by experts.

  This article deals with the reconstruction of Nederhemert castle, placing it within the wider context of the history, theory and practice of the Netherlands Cultural Heritage Agency. Nederhemert dates back to the fourteenth century and was extended in fourteen building phases to form the castle as it was until the fatal fire in 1945. From that time onwards the burnt-out building was falling into ever further decay. In 2001, prior to the start of the reconstruction, not much more was left of it than a ruin of dilapidated, but from a building-historical point of view very valuable cellars and remnants of walls with medieval brickwork.

  Two facts were important for the decision to reconstruct this castle and for the way in which this could be done. The building-historical research carried out by J. Kamphuis in 1985 had provided much insight into the building- historical ‘source value’ of the castle. The consultations with experts in the field of castles, building history...

  This article deals with the reconstruction of Nederhemert castle, placing it within the wider context of the history, theory and practice of the Netherlands Cultural Heritage Agency. Nederhemert dates back to the fourteenth century and was extended in fourteen building phases to form the...

  Charlotte van Emstede

  86-106

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