More than two hundred medieval people are preparing for the battle of battles: the Battle of Altena. “There will be 25 groups of fighters from all over the Netherlands, Belgium and even Sweden,” says Berry Schmaal. “In the 14th century, Altena Castle was razed to the ground, but this time we are going to win in the Battle of Altena.”
A medieval castle tower has suddenly appeared on a small hill on the edge of the village of Almkerk. “The tower is a replica of the tower of the medieval Altena Castle, which stood on this site until the end of the 14th century,” says Berry Schmaal. “The ten meter high tower is lit up at night and is an eye-catcher in the pitch-dark polder. We have rebuilt the tower because a battle for the medieval tower and former castle in Almkerk is imminent.”
The battle, in which 25 medieval re-enactment groups (these are groups that re-enact battles) in the village of Almkerk will participate, will take place in the weekend of 18 and 19 June. “The Battle of Altena and the Altena Castle really took place,” says Schmaal. “It is actually a very out of hand family quarrel between father Albrecht van Beieren, the Count of Holland, and his son.”
“Son Willem was involved in a conspiracy against his father in 1392. When that failed, he fled to his castle near Almkerk. His father besieged the castle in 1393 and razed it to the ground. Until now, because the tower is back and will survive the coming battle.”
“We expect this spectacle to attract around four thousand visitors”, says Schmaal, who has been preparing for months with the organization ‘de Heeren van Altena’. “The battle for Slot Altena consists of battles on Saturday and Sunday, but this time we will win and the Count of Holland will lose out.”
The Battle of Altena, in the municipality of Altena, is one of the largest re-enactment events in the Netherlands this summer. “We organized a first edition in 2018,” says Schmaal. “The reason for the first edition was the merger of the municipalities of Aalburg, Werkendam and Woudrichem to form the new municipality of Altena. Now it is a real battle based on historical facts.”
As everywhere else, the Battle of Altena runs largely on volunteers. “We could use a few more volunteers. The event will continue, but more hands are very welcome.”
For 30-year-old Schmaal, the Battle of Altena is also a personal journey back in time. “Through my mother’s side, there are family ties with early medieval inhabitants of Altena, dating back to the 12th century. Despite the fact that I like to re-enact a medieval man with our own re-enactment group De Heeren van Altena, I’m glad that I live in this time.” Schmaal’s dream? “That is the rebuilding of Altena Castle where it once stood, the place where I will participate in the Battle of Altena.”
In the video below, the organization shows what visitors can expect at the historic Battle of Altena:
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