Bolsward
Bolsward (, West Frisian: Boalsert) is a city in Súdwest-Fryslân in the province of Friesland, the Netherlands. Bolsward has a population of just under 10,200. It is located 10 km W.N.W. of Sneek. History The town is founded on three artificial dwelling mounds, the first of which was built some time before Christ. During the Middle Ages, Bolsward was a trade center and port city connected to the North Sea via the Middle Sea. This connection was lost when the Middle Sea was reclaimed to form arable land. After this, a canal was dug to the Zuiderzee. The town is first mentioned in AD 725. As a trading city, Bolsward was granted city rights by Philip the Good in 1455. Bolsward was made a member of the Hanseatic league in 1422. Before being merged into the municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân, the town of Bolsward was an independent municipality. Notable historical figures Notable historical figures born here include: Juw Juwinga or Jonghema (14th century), 11th potestate of Friesland Petrus Thaborita (1450–1527), historian Boetius Adamsz Bolswert (c.1580-1633), engraver Schelderic Adamsz Bolswert (c.1586-1659), engraver Gysbert Japiks (1603–1666), poet Frederick Philipse (1626–1702), American progenitor and founder Willem Muurling (1805–1882), theologian Titus Brandsma (1881–1942), Carmelite philosopher