This glossary will provide you with explanations (and sometimes also translations) of Dutch words and expressions, used within the datasets on the commons and the related webtexts. Explanation/translation will only be given at the word or expression most commonly used. In case other words or expressions have the same meaning, a term in italics refers the explanation of the word/expression at the word/expression most commonly used.

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Bedijkers

Entrepreneurs undertaking a drainage project (bedijking or droogmakerij). (Van Zwet 2009, 53-5, 527; Danner et al. 2009, 28)

Bedijking

(Polder, Sea polder, River polder)

Polder, created in an embankment project from sea or river water. (Van de Ven 1994, 151)

Concessie

see: Octrooi.

Dammaat

Land measure with a size that varied from village to village. In Eemland the dammaat was circa 0.5 hectares. (Mijnssen-Dutilh 2007, 237)

Droogmakerij

(Polder)

Polder, created in a drainage project out of a lake or out of broad meres. (Van de Ven 1994, 159-65; Danner et al. 2009, 49; Schultz 1992)

Dijkplicht

Obligation to maintain a section of a dike in kind, or to contribute to the costs of maintenance of a dike. (Van Bemmel 2009, 263-4; Danner et al. 2009, 122)

Dijkslag

also known as: Slag.

Clearly defined section of a dike that is allotted to the owner of a parcel of land (whether a private person or a corporate body) to maintain it. (Van Bemmel 2009, 263-4; Danner et al. 2009, 122)

Dijkstoeling

see also: Verhoefslaging.

Division of maintenance work on a dike over the owners of various parcels of land. (Van Bemmel 2009, 264)

Gemet

Land measure, the size of half a morgen or circa 0.4 ha. (Danner et al. 2009, 55; De Kraker 1999, 42)

Geschot

see: Omslag.

Hoefslag

also known as: Slag.

Clearly defined section of a work (dike, dam, sluice, canal) that is allotted to the owner of a parcel of land (whether a private person or a corporate body) to maintain it. (Van de Ven 1994, 58; Danner et al. 2009, 64)

Hoefslagplicht

The obligation to maintain part of a work (dike, dam, sluice, canal) in kind, or to contribute to the costs of maintenance of this work. (Danner et al. 2009, 64)

Hoofdingeland

see also: Ingeland.

Person who owns a large amount of land within the territory of a waterboard and who represents the landowners as a member of the board. (Van Tielhof and Van Dam 2006, 264)

Hoogheemraadschap

Large regional waterboard managing the watersystem in a territory in which also local waterboards function. The name hoogheemraadschap suggests that it supervised those local boards but that was only the case in Rijnland, Delfland and Schieland. (Van de Ven 1994, 107)

Ingeland

see also: Hoofdingeland.

Person who owns land within the territory of a waterboard. (Danner et al. 2009, 68)

Keur

(By(e)-law, Regulation)

Bylaw or regulation issued by a waterboard. (Danner et al. 2009, 73)

Morgen

Land measure with a size that varied depending on the region. In Eemland, the Rijnland morgen and the Utrecht morgen were in use, both circa 0.85 hectares in size. (Mijnssen-Dutilh 2007, 237; 239) 

>Octrooi

(Charter)

also known as: Concessie.

A charter for land reclamation. Before starting a reclamation project (bedijking or droogmakerij), the entrepreneurs had to obtain permission from the authorities. The octrooi or charter specified the conditions under which the reclamation was allowed. (Van Cruyningen 2006, 129-30; Van Tielhof and Van Dam 2006, 242-5; Beekman 1913-38, 1199-229; Van Zwet 2009, 79-84)

Omslag

also known as: Geschot.

Monetary levy on landowners in proportion to the amount of land owned within the territory of the waterboard and meant to cover the expenses of the waterboard. (Van Tielhof and Van Dam 2006, 365; De Kraker 1999, 41-2; Danner et al. 2009, 55)

Participanten

(Investors)

Persons who invest in a drainage project (bedijking or droogmakerij). This group is usually much larger than that of the bedijkers. (Van Zwet 2009, 76-9, 528)

Polder

(Polder, Old Polder)

also known as: Oude polder.

In this database the classification ‘polder’ is used for those polders that do not owe their existence to land reclamation projects like drainage or embankment projects. They are also called old polders as they are located on old land.  Droogmakerijen, bedijkingen and (old) polders all share the following characteristic that distinguishes them from ordinary lands: they are areas in which the level of the water can artificially be controlled, independently of its surroundings. (Danner et al. 2009, 104)

Slag

see: Dijkslag or Hoefslag.

Verhoefslaging

see also: Dijkstoeling.

Division of maintenance work on water works (dikes, dams, sluices, canals) over the owners of various parcels of land. (Van de Ven 1994, 58; Danner et al. 2009, 147)

Waterkering van een calamiteus waterschap

Water board, exclusively administering the shore line defense of a polder that had been declared calamiteus (distressed). From the last decade of the eighteenth century it was possible for polders to declare themselves calamiteus which meant that they were unable to upkeep their works and in urgent need of help. Calamiteuze polders were supported by the provincial estates and were entitled to financial help of surrounding polders. An act of 1872 created the possibility to separate the administration of the shore line defense from the polder itself. The polder itself continued to exist and took care of the inland works. The institution administering the shore line defense was called ‘waterkering van een calamiteus waterschap’ and was a highly specialized kind of water board. (Van de Ven 1994, 433; De Kraker 1999, 50-1; Danner et al. 2009, 39)