ABSTRACT
Chapter Two introduces the reader to Friesland: a prosperous coastal area that never became feudalised. Around 1300, it was communally governed by elected judges from a landowning elite of so-called hoofdelingen who considered themselves to be noble. Under their leadership, every Frisian was expected to defend the country with arms whenever it was threatened by a foreign power. In the rural militias, the noble principals had the same infantry role as the wealthy free farmers, tenants and other country folk. In the urban militias, wealthy and low-income citizens fought side by side as well. The laws and regulations, however, prescribed arming according to wealth. Those with a considerable status were generally entrusted with the command of the various units.
