16th century FRIESLAND, GRONINGEN, DRENTHE "Frisia Occidentalis", copper engraving made by Gerard Mercator in 1585. Coloured by hand at the time. Latin text on reverse. Sizes: 36,5 x 46 cm. The map appears from 1585 to 1603 with text on the reverse in various languages, in Mercator's atlases. Then from 1606 to 1628 in atlases by Jodocus Hondius. Frisia Occidentalis", or West Friesland, nowadays refers to North Holland, the area between Alkmaar and Enkhuizen, but in the past this name was used in the Northern Netherlands for the Frisian area west of the Dollard. The county of East Frisia came into existence in 1464 and is later referred to on maps as "Frisia Orientalis". In 1580 most of Friesland was incorporated into the Union of Utrecht. The region was then referred to as a "general manor" or the manor of Friesland. The States of Friesland were composed of representatives of the 11 cities and the 30 municipalities. Since 1580, the stadholders have always been members of the house of Nassau. The former counties Oostergo, Westergo, Zevenwouden and the eleven cities together formed the quarters of Friesland. On 29 July 1585 Willem Lodewijk founded in Franeker a university for (Calvinistic) ministers. Price: Euro 375
