Great Frisian War

The Great Frisian War (West Frisian: Grutte Fryske Oarloch) was an armed conflict in Frisia which lasted nine years in the 15th century, from 1413 to 1422.

The war began in East Frisia as a result of a runaway dispute between the chieftains Keno II tom Brok and Hisko Abdena, during which all important parties in Frisia chose a side and civil war ensued. The war had mixed results; with the exception of the van Bronckhorst family in the city of Groningen, none of the warring parties would gain a lasting advantage. Near the end of the conflict, Frisian freedom was imperiled when a foreign ruler, John of Bavaria who was asked to intervene on the side of the Skieringers, decided to make a bid for power himself. His Hollandic troops were driven out shortly, however, and the Frisians would retain their freedom until 1498. On 1 February 1422, all parties came to Groningen to make peace.