In 1672 Groningen, Coevorden and the army worked together to drive out the occupier, the bishop of Münster ‘Bommen Berend’. In this way the inhabitants of both cities got their freedom back and a commemorative medal was made in honor of this. It was reissued today.
That is why the three parties were together again today for the repayment of the medal: the municipality of Groningen, the municipality of Coevorden and the army.
The honor for the first battle of the commemorative medal went to Mayor Renze Bergsma and Major General RJ Jeulink, Deputy Commander Land Forces.
A commemorative medal was not only issued in 1672, but also in 1773 (a year later due to a financial shortfall), in 1872, in 1922 and in 1972. “Of course we do not want to break with that tradition, especially not in the year 2022. when we celebrate the 350th anniversary of the Relief of both cities,” says Roelie Lubbers, project leader of Cultural Coevorden.
The siege of Groningen by the troops of the Bishop of Münster and the Archbishop of Cologne is therefore depicted on the obverse of the commemorative medal. The reverse shows the liberation of Coevorden by Rabenhaupt’s troops. This immediately refers to the link between Groningen and Coevorden.