The name "ten Thij" belongs to an old Saxon family of which
the first records date back to August 31rst of the year 1230.
On that very date Willibrand, the Bishop of Trajectum (Utrecht in
the Netherlands), declared that he has granted city-rights in the
presence of the war-lords to the inhabitants of the village Suolle
(Zwolle) for their contribution in the battle against the Drenthones
(German tribes from the northern part of the present Netherlands).
Amongst these war-lords was mentioned, being a co-signer of this
document, a knight called Nycolaus ten Thij.
The inhabitants of Zwolle were also granted these rights, by which
they could build city-walls and canals, and enjoy a certain
freedom, for their financial contribution to help build the castle of
Hardenborg.
The document is one of many that reveal the gaining influence in
the Netherlands of the local gentry and the people in the cities, a
tendency that marked the era.
The results of these city- rights to build
walls and canals are still well
represented in an old map of this city in
the seventeenth century by Ioan Blaeu
(23.09.1596 - 28.12.1673).
(N.B. meant to be presented are not the
later built fortifications, but of course the
older city-structures).
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