2: Town Square

Ah, you look like an actual student who needs books! You won't find these books anywhere else! They are written with the best ink and filled with the knowledge you need. With these books you can apply directly to the school and have everything you need to be the best student! Pick them from the stall behind me, and thank you for your business! Oh, and since it's getting late I'll let you quickly register with the school behind the church. They will tell you there where you can get shelter. Godspeed!

Hello, I'm Meinder, The best blacksmith in Zwolle! I make every iron thing! For example, I make everything for the army here in Zwolle: all great weapons and armor. I've made daggers, rapiers, large axes, and even two pistols! The one I made for the rich Duke of Guelders was unfortunately stolen from my workshop! Fine weapons they were ... hmm... But of course, I make all sorts of other objects, from nails and needles to large iron wheels. Have a nice day, and have a look around the market.

Good day, and may the good Lord salute you. I can tell you all about this church. The first written mention of the Great Church of St. Michael in Zwolle dates from 1040.

In that year, Bishop Bernold donated to the chapter of the Lebuïbusjer in Deventer, a forerunner of today's Great Church. This controversial statement, confirmed in 1129, shows that the Great Church was a proprietary church. This means that the church, which was probably already founded before 1040, was privately owned by the Bishop of Utrecht. The owner of the church not only managed the ecclesiastical revenues, of which tithes were an important part, but also had the right to appoint the priest.

The oldest version of the Great Church was probably made of wood, and was replaced in the 11th century by a tufa (limestone) church. In the 12th century the Church covered the northern part of IJssel county. It was among the most important churches in the eastern Netherlands. I'm not well informed on the appearance and characteristics of the big 12th and 13th century churches.

It's obvious that the building has undergone one or more alterations during this period. Among these renovations from the 13th century, the red sandstone arch relief remains preserved. The top of the relief, presumably above where the door went, depicts the salvation of the immortal soul. The representation of Abraham is seen, together with the souls of three dead.

It is a beautiful building where much manpower has been expended over the years. It is always an honor to tell people about this church. I wish you a nice day in Zwolle!

Hi, are you new here in Zwolle? Let me introduce myself. I'm Jan, and the study behind me is the great school of Zwolle. Will you be learning a trade here? I will tell you something about education here in Zwolle.

Zwolle is an important educational center. The school is near the local parish church. The school was subordinate to the chapter of Deventer, but the city of Zwolle managed to make them separate. In 1374, headmaster Johan Cele came in and the Latin school flourished. Johan Cele was a real education innovator. He emphasized building character over knowledge, completely in accordance with the principles of Modern Devotion.

He had extraordinary educational gifts, which he used mainly to educate his students on genuine piety. He brought a whole new kind of education; a kind of precursor to grammar schools. Hundreds of students from the Netherlands, Germany, Flanders, and even France came to Zwolle to follow Johan Cele and his lessons.

Headmaster Johan van Dalen also greatly contributed to the flourishing of the school. Sometimes the school has had 800 to 1,000 students! In 1443 it was decided to build a new, separate building for the famous educational institution. At that time it was still located on the corner of Voorstraat and Luttekestraat. Johan Cele's new kind of education was widely known.

At that time the Latin school directed much attention not only to Latin, but also to music in the form of church singing. For example, the students here have to go to church at six, seven, and nine in the morning to sing Gregorian chant.

Most of them live in the friar houses. In fact, the Brethren of the Common Life earn their bread partly by providing for the students' shelter and expenses. It was obvious that some tenants were causing difficulties. Hence, provisions were introduced that prohibited the students from drinking beer, and from traveling the streets without a lamp after the bell rang. Also, they could not carry long knives or other weapons. These provisions in 1460 were the result of an infamous massacre of students in 1459.

On April 2nd, 1459, around nine o'clock in the morning, a student named Geert van Loe came to the friar house. He took his fellow townsman, the Maastricht student Reinier van Honthorst, to go with him to his room in the city. But within the hour, he was back at the friar house, supposedly at the request of Reinier to retrieve all his money and property. As proof, he let the procurator of the friar house, Father Rutger van Doetinchem, see Reiner's key. The gullible Father fulfilled the request, and no one paid mind to him for a long time.

Only after Geert van Loe had left, and Reinier didn't show up in Zwolle later, did they become suspicious. Six weeks after Geert van Loe's departure, they found a suitcase in his boarding house in which they found the dismembered corpse of Reinier van Honthorst. The sheriff of Veluwe succeeded in arresting Geert van Loe in Arnhem. The sentence he received is still unknown.

So now you're aware of the events in the area! Ha ha. Have a nice day, and maybe I'll see you soon at school.