Misplaced Pages

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Frans Fowler (talk | contribs) at 19:55, 3 October 2007 (The Netherlands to the Netherlands). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

In the Early Middle Ages, Dorestad was one of the most important and flourishing cities in the Netherlands.

It was situated where the Rhine and Lek rivers meet, south of the city of Utrecht, near the modern small town of Wijk bij Duurstede, on the remains of an ancient Roman fortress. Between 600 and 850, Dorestad was often fought over between the Frisians and the Franks.

The city was a North Sea trading center between the late seventh century and the middle of the ninth century, primarily handling goods from the Middle Rhineland. Wine was among the major products traded at Dorestad, likely from vineyards south of Mainz.

Because of its success as a trading city, Dorestad drew the attention of Vikings, who frequently raided the city (834, 835, 844, 857 and 863). Historians think that approximately 7000 Vikings were involved in the first raid in 834. The raid of 857 was led by Rorik of Dorestad. Dorestad became the capital of the Viking Kingdom of Dorestad, which lasted from 850 to 885.

Dorestad declined in importance as a trading center after the damming of the Rhine to prevent flooding, and was of little importance after 863.

References

1. ^ MacKay, Angus (1997). Atlas of Medieval Europe. Routledge. p. 57. ISBN 0415019230. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
2. ^ Hodges, Richard (1983). Mohammed, Charlemagne and the Origins of Europe. Cornell University Press. p. 99. ISBN 0801492629. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

51°58′30″N 5°20′24″E / 51.97500°N 5.34000°E / 51.97500; 5.34000

v t e Norse people
Scandinavia History
History	Nordic Stone Age Nordic Bronze Age Pre-Roman Iron Age Roman Iron Age Germanic Iron Age Migration Period Viking Age Old Norse religion Germanic paganism Norse mythology Christianization
Expansion	Norse–Gaels Normans Garðaríki Exploration of the Americas Trade route Viking Trade Routes Varangian Trade Routes Volga Trade Route
Paganism and mythology	Gods Æsir Vanir Jötunn Sigurd Sigmund Völundr Vættir Elves Light elves Dark elves Dvergr Einherjar Fenrir Hel (being) Dís Norns Valkyries Jörmungandr Ask and Embla
Cosmology	Ásgarðr Vanaheimr Miðgarðr Vígríðr Bifröst Fólkvangr Ginnungagap Helheim Múspellsheimr Niflheimr Mímisbrunnr Hvergelmir Urðarbrunnr Yggdrasill Valhalla Jötunheimr
Rituals and worship	Blót Seiðr Norse funeral Yule Walpurgis Night Midsummer Hörgr Vé Gothi Calendar Runic magic Völva Galdr Death in Norse paganism
Society	Law Clans Jarl Thegn Thrall Félag Thing Mead hall Holmgang Old Norse Runes Runemaster Nithing pole Skalds Longships Nīþ Ergi Vikings Berserkers Emporium
Events	Æsir–Vanir War Fimbulwinter Ragnarök Wild Hunt
Sources	Poetic Edda Prose Edda Tyrfing Cycle Völsung Cycle Saga Runestones
Settlements	Alaborg Aldeigja Arkona Bardy-Świelubie Birka Dierkow Gnezdovo Grobin Hedeby Holmgard Jomsborg Kaup Kaupang Köpingsvik Lindholm Menzlin Ralswiek Reric Ribe Sarskoye Sigtuna Timerevo Truso Vanaja Wolin
WikiProject Norse history and culture

• History of the Netherlands