Members
Hello! My name is Sander. In the Monetarii, I have taken up the craft of minting. My interest in early medieval Frisia begun by reading De Friezen from L. Van der Tuuk and We Vikings from M. Stoter and D. Spiekhout some years ago. The books made me aware of an entirely new, thrilling era in the history of my country. Now I'm devoted to sharing this amazing piece of history with others!
I am Tineke. My fascination with Frisia and the early Middle Ages also started with two books by Luit van der Tuuk: ‘Frisians’ and ‘Franks’, in which he describes a shared North Sea culture to which Frisia belonged. In Frisia, the Frankish, Christian world and the ancient, pre-Christian world of north-western Europe meet. Both sides have inherently different worldviews and, by extension, views on mankind. They fight with each other, but also act and eventually merge, irrevocably changing both worlds. The Frisians play an important role in this, being the traders par excellence of goods, but also spread ideas in the process. In other words: the Netherlands as we know it today was largely created there and then. I find the fault line between two worlds and two eras in Frisia endlessly fascinating. Within the Monetarii, I do all kinds of things: dyeing wool with plants, weaving, textile work, making hand-formed pottery and working on ‘early medieval cooking’. And actually, in time, there is always a new craft that intrigues me and which I then like to try out.
Eala! My name is Alexander, also known as Stilleward. I have been doing living history for seventeen or eighteen years. Within this period, I have focused on ninth-century Frisia for quite some time.
In recent years, more and more attention is being paid to Frisia in the early Middle Ages, for instance in the books by Luit van der Tuuk or Kees Nieuwenhuijsen, but also by finds made by archaeologists and metal detectorists.
In the Monetarii, I can express my interest in this specific piece of Dutch history. I focus on the crafts, mainly leather working (but I also work with wood or bone). I find it important to be actively involved in that history and would like to introduce people to the many facets of life from that time!
Waes hael,
Alexander/Stilleward
I am Marijke. Within the Monetarii, I am mainly involved in naaldbinding, although you can also see me do card weaving, playing games, or cooking. I am particularly interested in role differences within a community during this period, focusing on women's rights. Having grown up (not born) in Friesland myself, I have a long-standing interest in the period from the eighth to the ninth century. Things changed a lot in a rapid pace during that time, affecting precepts within communities. I enjoy being able to tell about that, but also to show everyday life, with games that were played, good food and a glass of mead in due course. Especially when that can be shared with a group of incredibly smart and friendly people around me, I thoroughly enjoy it. That reflects how you also used to live together in a group and need each other; you looked after each other together.
Hi! I'm Marc, I contribute to the encampment and knowledge of the Monetarii during events. In the meantime, I am learning the practical side of the hobby, which is currently making authentic garments for which I waste as little fabric as possible. After all, clothes were costly in time, resources and effort to make back then! Between events, I help find and consult early medieval sources and literature. Perhaps I look a bit ponderous, but I am happy to answer questions; if asked, I can discuss a range of topics in one minute to an hour and a half (however long you like), you name it! I find the complexity and dynamics in early medieval Frisia (and of the research and heritage involved) endlessly fascinating. Living history at the Monetarii is where I continue to grow as a near-graduate Master in medieval studies with Viking activity as a speciality - in that respect, I'm never done studying. At the same time, I can do my thing there as an enthousiast of crafting and the outdoor life. It is where learned theory meets hands-on practice, to preserve heritage together with the public.