A brief history of Amersfoort
Before 777, very little is known about Amersfoort. Archeological digs
produce very little material of that period, because of the properties
of the soil.
Leusden and the river Eem are first mentioned in the 'Bill of 777', when
Karel de Great, seated in Nijmegen, donates estates in the Amersfoort
area to the Bishop of Utrecht. In this document the name Flethite is
mentioned which would later be changed in Flehite.
The oldest part of Amersfoort is located in the higher areas between de
Langestraat, de Krommestraat and 't Havik. In the early history of
Amersfoort, the city used to be flooded when the river Eem went over its
banks. So a sluice was constructed near the Koppelpoort, and het Spui..
Amersfoort is first mentioned in 1028. At that time the Gelderse Valley
was reclaimed, and Amersfoort became a bordertown. 1248 consecration St.
Jorischurch. 1259 Cityrights. First wall completed 1300. Second wall
completed 1450. Even before 1400 the Amersfoort harbour was moved from
't Havik to just outside the Koppelgate. 1579 end of Catholocism and
adoption of the Protestant faith. After 1615 tobacco growing in the
Amersfoort area. 1661 'de Kei' (the boulder) is pulled into the city.