Abbey
Foundation
Tracing back the history of the Abbey it is possible to demonstrate from written documents, charters and cartularies, that the foundation of the Middelburg-Abbey took place about 1123. At first it was a daughter-institution of the Abbey of Vormezele, near Ieperen in Flanders, which proves the Flemish influence in Zeeland in the middle ages. The founders belonged to the order of regular Canons. The Bishop of Utrecht, Godebaldus, had them replaced after some years by Norbertine missionaries, sent out by the St. Michel's Abbey at Antwerp. In this time attempts of heresy formed a threat to the Roman Catholic Church.
St.
Abbey with the abbey tower (also known as "Lange Jan") on the background
Norbert had, by accentuating the old rules of chastity and poverty, given new substance to the monastery life and put new enthusiasm in his disciples. Their mission was to teach the people and to care for their spiritual needs. In the isle of Walcheren they worked in three big parishes: Oost-Kappelle, West-Kappele and Oost-Souburg. Their Abbey, dedicated to Our Lady was built upon a former karolingian stronghold (Dutch: burg) dating from the last quarter of the ninth century. Norse men had profited by a natural relief of the land, caused by the crossing of two long ridges in the landscape, to construct here as part of a defence system against new invaders or perhaps to hold their own in the midst of the native people, an elevated stronghold. Two other Karolingian boroughs were erected in Oost-Souburg en Domburg.
Archaeological discoveries
During the last restoration of the Abbey, after the second World War, a Karolingian dwelling was digged out.
Abbey
Archaeologists found an ancient building, constructed out of wood and clay, and fragments of pottery, textile and foot-gear, dating from the Karolingian era. Most important was the discovery between the dung-layers of a coin-brooch (fibula; 8th century).
In 1123 the Karolingian "burg" had been heightened and had become the centre of the growing market- and staple town Middelburg. On this safe elevation several government-buildings were lodged; it was the centre of a Flemish Representative (Kasselwij); here, in the immediate vicinity of the Stone Court's House was founded the new little Maria-monastery.
Rise and prosperity
In 1217 Middelburg received city-rights, which were extended in 1254 by Count William II (out of the Dutch line of counts).
Balans fountain with the abbey on the background
Under his government the Abbey was able to enlarge its possessions and influence. The former community of poor missionaries supervised now important parts of the isle of Walcheren; their country-residences in Domburg (Westhove) and Grijpskerke (Munnikenhof) were real pleasure-gardens. In the fourteenth century the abbot has become a mighty prelate, member of the Sates of Zeeland.
Philip the Fair called here the chapter of the Golden Fleece and Charles V resided here during his visit to the Low Countries. The Abbey was at the Zenith of its prosperity at the end of the middle ages.
Especially the last abbot, Nicolas de Castro, bishop of Middelburg, exerted himself for the extension and embellishment of the Abbey. The influence of various architectural styles is still perceptible: Romanesque barrel vaults and austere walls with niches and alcoves; gothic arches and cross-vaults; and also examples of Scheldt-gothic, wich is a style in between Romanesque and gothic.
The Reformation
The iconoclasm in 1566 put an end to the power and influence of the Norbertines in Zeeland.
Crypte (Crypt), Abdij (abbey)
In the 80-years war against Spain, Middelburg was sieged by the Prince and conquered in 1574.
The priests and canons left the town and returned to the mother-convent in Antwerp. Protestant preachers entered the churches. The Abbey became the seat of the Provincial government. The regents sought to emphasize their newly acquired standing and the glory of the Beggar's victories by ordering seven gobelin tapestries to add lustre to their session-rooms. The gobelins picture the various climaxes in the struggle against the Spanish domination. They were designed by Jan de Maeght and Francois Spierinck, two Flemish refugees. Some time ago they have been subjected to a thorough revision.
Restoration
In 1492 a big fire devastated the greater part of the premises on the "Burg".
Kloostergangen, Abdij (abbey)
The rich Abbey-library was a total loss. A general restoration was necessary, including the spire of the "Lange Jan", the largest Abbey-tower.
Since the Reformation many transformations have been executed in exterior and interior of the Abbey. Most of them were carried out in an injudicious manner, without regards for the original architectural styles. The second "general" restorator of the Abbey-buildings. J.A. Frederiks, was confronted with the results of these methods. With great devotion Frederiks undertook the difficult task to repair the dilapidated buildings and to give them back as much as possible their former splendour. He completed this work between 1880 and 1910.
Once more disaster came over the "Garden of Zeeland". On May 17, in 1940 the city of Middelburg was set afire by German bombs and shells. Immediately after the catastrophe the Municipality of Middelburg, the church-authorities and the State Office of works set to work out plans to rebuild the Abbey.
Kloostergangen, Abdij (abbey)
Five architects took charge of the reconstruction: ir. H. de Lussanet de la abloniere and prof. ir. J.F. Berghoef restored the governmental buildings.
On the outside the buildings were as much as possible repaired in the old mediaeval style. Lack of money necessitated the use of concrete and steel inside. The country house was reconstructed in modern style: of the old dwelling there was not enough left to justify a restoration in the ancient order.
The present
Various government departments are lodged again round the quiet Abbey-courts. In summer many tourists visit the complex.
Kloostergangen, Abdij (abbey)
It forms a unique curiosity where all the important architectural styles are represented, from the Romanesque to the baroc.
