Focko Ukena
Encyclopedia
Focko Ukena was an East Frisian
chieftain
(hoofdeling) who played an important part in the struggle between the Vetkopers and Schieringers
in the provinces of Groningen
and Friesland
. Aside from this he was one of the leading figures in the resistance against the forts of stately authority in East-Frisia of the tom Brok family.
, roughly the current provinces of Groningen and Friesland, there existed virtually no state authority. This freedom was threatened from several sides.
In what is now East Frisia, the family of tom Brok was attempting to establish a dynasty. And in what is now the province of Friesland
, the counts of Holland
were expanding their influence. The city of Groningen was also trying to expand its power. And through all of this the rivalry of the Vetkopers and Schieringers
played.
in 1418. After the reconquest of Dokkum by the Schieringers, he disembarked at Hindeloopen
and defeated the Schieringers at the Palesloot.
He took Stavoren
and besieged Sloten
, but was forced to withdraw by the troops of John III, Duke of Bavaria, Count of Holland. Ukena was the first to sign the Peace of Groningen on 1 february 1422, which was aimed against all foreign lords. Next he battled with the Hansa
against the Likedelers
, and expelled them from Ezumazijl and Dokkum. Afterwards he turned against tom Brok and was primarily active in East Frisia.
He was unable to sustain his resistance to tom Brok, and eventually retreated to the castle of Dijkhuizen at Appingedam
, which was the property of his second wife, Hiddeke Ripperda
. He died there in 1435. His resistance eventually prevented tom Brok from taking the much-wanted County of East Frisia.
East Frisia
East Frisia or Eastern Friesland is a coastal region in the northwest of the German federal state of Lower Saxony....
chieftain
East Frisian chieftains
The East Frisian chieftains assumed positions of power in East Frisia during the course of the 14th century, after the force of the old, egalitarian constitution from the time of Frisian Freedom had markedly waned.- Early history :...
(hoofdeling) who played an important part in the struggle between the Vetkopers and Schieringers
Vetkopers and Schieringers
The Schieringers and Vetkopers were two opposing Frisian factional parties from the medieval period. They were responsible for a bloody civil war that lasted for over a century and which eventually led to the end of the highly praised "Frisian freedom".These factional parties arose because of an...
in the provinces of Groningen
Groningen (province)
Groningen [] is the northeasternmost province of the Netherlands. In the east it borders the German state of Niedersachsen , in the south Drenthe, in the west Friesland and in the north the Wadden Sea...
and Friesland
Friesland
Friesland is a province in the north of the Netherlands and part of the ancient region of Frisia.Until the end of 1996, the province bore Friesland as its official name. In 1997 this Dutch name lost its official status to the Frisian Fryslân...
. Aside from this he was one of the leading figures in the resistance against the forts of stately authority in East-Frisia of the tom Brok family.
Frisian freedom
In the north of present-day NetherlandsNetherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, roughly the current provinces of Groningen and Friesland, there existed virtually no state authority. This freedom was threatened from several sides.
In what is now East Frisia, the family of tom Brok was attempting to establish a dynasty. And in what is now the province of Friesland
Friesland
Friesland is a province in the north of the Netherlands and part of the ancient region of Frisia.Until the end of 1996, the province bore Friesland as its official name. In 1997 this Dutch name lost its official status to the Frisian Fryslân...
, the counts of Holland
Count of Holland
The Counts of Holland ruled over the County of Holland in the Low Countries between the 10th and the 16th century.-House of Holland:The first count of Holland, Dirk I, was the son or foster-son of Gerolf, Count in Frisia...
were expanding their influence. The city of Groningen was also trying to expand its power. And through all of this the rivalry of the Vetkopers and Schieringers
Vetkopers and Schieringers
The Schieringers and Vetkopers were two opposing Frisian factional parties from the medieval period. They were responsible for a bloody civil war that lasted for over a century and which eventually led to the end of the highly praised "Frisian freedom".These factional parties arose because of an...
played.
Role of Ukena
Ukena was originally a military commander under Keno tom Brok. As such he defeated Sicka Sjaerda at Noordhorn in 1417, and conquered DokkumDokkum
Dokkum is a Dutch fortified town in the municipality of Dongeradeel in the province of Friesland. It has 13,145 inhabitants . The fortifications of Dokkum are well preserved and are known as the bolwerken . - History :...
in 1418. After the reconquest of Dokkum by the Schieringers, he disembarked at Hindeloopen
Hindeloopen
-External links:* Museum Hindeloopen: Hindelooper schilderkunst, klederdracht, stads- en scheepvaarthistorie.*...
and defeated the Schieringers at the Palesloot.
He took Stavoren
Stavoren
Stavoren is a small town on the coast of the IJsselmeer, about 5 km south of Hindeloopen. It lies within the municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân. Stavoren was granted city rights in 1118, making it the oldest city in Friesland...
and besieged Sloten
Sloten
Sloten is the name of two towns in the Netherlands:* Sloten, Friesland, the city in the municipality of Gaasterlân-Sleat* Sloten, Amsterdam, village in North Holland...
, but was forced to withdraw by the troops of John III, Duke of Bavaria, Count of Holland. Ukena was the first to sign the Peace of Groningen on 1 february 1422, which was aimed against all foreign lords. Next he battled with the Hansa
Hansa
The Hanseatic League, known as Hansa or Hanse in various Germanic languages, was a 13th–17th century alliance of European trading cities...
against the Likedelers
Victual Brothers
The Victual Brothers were a companionship of privateers who later turned to piracy. They were hired in 1392 by the Dukes of Mecklenburg to fight against Denmark, because the Danish Queen Margaret I had imprisoned Albrecht of Mecklenburg and his son in order to subdue the kingdom of Sweden...
, and expelled them from Ezumazijl and Dokkum. Afterwards he turned against tom Brok and was primarily active in East Frisia.
He was unable to sustain his resistance to tom Brok, and eventually retreated to the castle of Dijkhuizen at Appingedam
Appingedam
- Population centres :Appingedam, Garreweer, Jukwerd, Laskwerd, Marsum, Oling, Opwierde, Solwerd, Tjamsweer.- Appingedam :Little is known about the exact age and origin of the name of Appingedam. It came into existence on the banks of the Delf, the present Damsterdiep, around 1200...
, which was the property of his second wife, Hiddeke Ripperda
Ripperda
Ripperda is the name of and old and prominent family that belongs to the German and Dutch nobility. Members of this family have played a major role in European history as soldiers, politicians and diplomats.-Origins:...
. He died there in 1435. His resistance eventually prevented tom Brok from taking the much-wanted County of East Frisia.