Geuzenveld-Slotermeer in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 5, 2023
1. Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer Marker
Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer (1526-1588)
Ze was een scheepsbouwer en houthandelaar die bekend is geworden door de legende over haar rol bij de verdediging van Haarlem tijdens de Tachtigjarige Oorlog. Op drie december 1572 begon het Beleg van Haarlem, toen de Spanjaarden onder leiding van de hertog van Alva de stad aanvielen. Kenau zou volgens ooggetuigenverslagen van Duitse huursoldaten zelf als een leeuw hebben meegevochten. Samen met een grote groep vrouwen zou ze 'met spies, bus en zwaard' de vijand hebben afgeweerd. Uiteindelijk capituleert Haarlem op 8 juli 1573. Kenau leeft voort in de spreektaal; een vastberaden vrouw wordt soms een 'kenau' genoemd.
(English translation:)
She was a shipbuilder and timber merchant who became known for the legend about her role in the defense of Haarlem during the Eighty Years' War. The Siege of Haarlem began on December 3, 1572, when the Spaniards, led by the Duke of Alva, attacked the city. According to eyewitness accounts of German mercenaries, Kenau herself fought like a lion. Together with a large group of women, she is said to have repelled the enemy 'with spear, canister and sword'. Haarlem finally capitulated on July 8, 1573. Kenau lives on in the spoken language; a determined woman is sometimes referred to as a 'kenau'.
Erected by Geef Straten Een Gezicht.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Wars, Non-US • Women. In addition, it is included in the Give Streets a Face / Geef Straten Een Gezicht series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 8, 1573.
Location. 52° 22.861′ N, 4° 48.157′ E. Marker is in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland (North Holland). It is in Geuzenveld-Slotermeer. It is at the intersection of Kenau Simons Hasselaarstraat and Pieter van der Werfstraat, on the right when traveling
this page online
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wigbolt Ripperda (within shouting distance of this marker); Jan van Duivenvoorde (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); Arnold Kerdijk (about 210 meters away); Sam van Houten (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Willem Nolens (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Ben Telders (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Ruys de Beerenbrouck (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Willem Albarda (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Amsterdam.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer (Wikipedia).
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 5, 2023
2. Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer Marker - wide view
Overview: Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer (15261588) was a wood merchant of Haarlem, who became a legendary folk hero for her fearless defense of the city against the Spanish invaders during the siege of Haarlem in 1573.(Submitted on May 28, 2023.)
Her role in the siege?: When the city was besieged by the Spanish, period diarists reported that all of the townspeople, man, woman, and child, fearlessly helped to rebuild the city defenses that had been destroyed by enemy cannon. One account written in Latin from Delft, mentioned Kenau by name as an unusually fearless woman who worked night and day carrying earth to the city walls to rebuild the defense line This (anonymous) account mentioned in the next paragraph how the people of Haarlem stood on these earthworks and threw burning tar wreaths around the necks of the enemy, and described how one Spanish soldier jumped into the river Spaarne to douse the flames only to drown from the weight of his armor. Somehow the story arose that it was Kenau who threw these 'tar wreaths'. Kenaus role as an earth carrier was soon glorified into a full-fledged soldier who was honored at the centennial celebrations of independencefrom Spain in 1673 and again during the bicentenary in 1773. By the 19th century she had led an army of 300 women against the Spanish, which had even been commemorated in a romantic painting by Barent Wijnveld and J.H. Egenberger.Photographed by Barend Wijnveld and J.H. Egenberger (via Wikimedia Commons), 18543. Kenau Simons Hasselaer op de wallen van HaarlemKenau Simons Hasselaer on the Walls of Haarlem - a romanticized historical painting of Kenau leading a group of 300 women in defense of Haarlem.
2. How the Dutch word of Kenau changed its meaning (YouTube, 19 mins.). Full title: How the Dutch word of Kenau changed its meaning & what the siege of Haarlem has to do with it A long-ish video piece (in English) by Visiting the Dutch Countryside, telling Kenaus story, providing background on the siege of Haarlem, and discussing how the meaning of the Dutch word Kenau has gone from determined woman to shrew. (Submitted on May 28, 2023.)
3. Kenau: de dapperste dame van het land! | Welkom in de 80-jarige oorlog (YouTube, 2:39). Kenau: the bravest woman in the country / Welcome to the 80-Years War
A satirical comedy sketch, in Dutch (no subtitles), but no Dutch is necessary as its pretty easy to tell what the characters are saying. (Submitted on May 28, 2023.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 28, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 598 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 28, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
