Akersloot is a village in the
Dutch
Dutch commonly refers to:
* Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands
* Dutch people ()
* Dutch language ()
Dutch may also refer to:
Places
* Dutch, West Virginia, a community in the United States
* Pennsylvania Dutch Country
People E ...
province of
North Holland
North Holland ( nl, Noord-Holland, ) is a province of the Netherlands in the northwestern part of the country. It is located on the North Sea, north of South Holland and Utrecht, and west of Friesland and Flevoland. In November 2019, it had a ...
. It is a part of the municipality of
Castricum, and lies about 9 km south of
Alkmaar
Alkmaar () is a city and municipality in the Netherlands, located in the province of North Holland, about 30 km north of Amsterdam. Alkmaar is well known for its traditional cheese market. For tourists, it is a popular cultural destination. The ...
. Until 1 January 2002, Akersloot was a separate municipality.
The oldest name for Akersloot was Axmericota, meaning "Oak Forest at the Sea".
In the years between 1250 and 1400, Akersloot gained the title "capital village of Kennemerland". Limmen was the second village in Kennermerland in prestige. In 1276 the people of Akersloot regained their rights and privileges from Count Floris V due to their bravery in the struggle against the Frisians. These privileges were removed by their former lord, the count of Holland, in the early 13th century because they rebelled against him.
Akersloot was razed in October 1573 by retreating Spaniards after the siege of Alkmaar. Several residences and other buildings were burnt to ashes.
After the 80-year war trade bloomed. Even seafaring and fishery was part of the Akersloot economy.
The Akersloot of today was isolated for a long time. Communication with the outer world was maintained through salon boats of the Alkmaar Packet. After the liberation good bus connections gradually emerged. Akersloot gained a yachting harbor, which now is one of the major ones on the Alkmaardermeer.
A bastion in Galle Fort in Sri Lanka is named Akersloot Bastion which was the birthplace of Willem Jacobszoon Coster who overtook Galle from Protuguess on 13 March 1640.
Notable person
*
John Ton
John Ton (born Jan Cornelis Ton) (30 May 1826, Akersloot, North Holland - 4 June 1896, Chicago, Illinois) was a Dutch-born American abolitionist active in the Underground Railroad in Illinois.
Early life
Ton was born in a village in the province ...
American Abolitionist
*
Willem Jacobszoon Coster
Willem Jacobszoon Coster ( – 21 August 1640) was a Dutch colonial governor who served as the first Governor of Dutch Ceylon from 13 March until 17 August 1640. He was succeeded by Jan Thyszoon Payart.
Ceylon
In 1637, the K ...
governor of Zeylan now Sri Lanka
Gallery
File:Veerpont Akersloot.jpg, Ferry in Akersloot
File:Cafe 't Pontje Dhr. K. Davidse heeft in het jaar 2009 in opdracht van het Regionaal Archief Alkmaar - RAA003024633 - RAA Davidse.jpg, Pub in Akersloot
File:De Wonerij corporatie Dhr. K. Davidse heeft in het jaar 2009 in opdracht van het Regionaal Archief A - RAA003024625 - RAA Davidse.jpg, Building in Akersloot
File:Zuidgevel kerk en consistorie aan de oostzijde - Akersloot - 20396873 - RCE.jpg, Dutch Reformed church
References
{{Authority control
Municipalities of the Netherlands disestablished in 2002
Former municipalities of North Holland
Populated places in North Holland
Castricum