Grutte Pier, sword

At the beginning of the sixteenth century, war broke out between Georg of Saxony and Duke Charles of Gelre; Van Saksen then gave the area to the Count of Holland, and this culminated in a battle between Dutchmen and Frisians. This battle provided the backdrop for the appearance of Pier Gerlofs Donia (circa 1480 - 1520), better known as Grutte Pier, and his sword. An inseparable duo symbolizing the Frisian struggle for freedom.

The sword is a fifteenth century Biedenhänder, a sword you have to wield with two hands.

Grutte Pier had people say the famous Frisian saying:'Bûter, brea and griene tsiis, wa't dat net sizze kin, is gjin oprjochte Fries'. Real Frisians can pronounce that phrase, Dutchmen cannot. That's how Grutte Pier knew who was enemy and who was not. The story goes that he could behead someone with one stroke of the sword.

The sword is 2.13 meters long and weighs 6.6 kg.

The sword is on display in the Fries Museum.(photo: historiek.net)