100-30 B.C. Frisians begin to settle in the present-day area of Friesland

12 A.D. Treaty between the Romans and Frisians

28-47 Frisians revolt against the Romans, but are subdued

375 Roman legions leave the area; Saxon and Frankish tribes begin to settle

689 Radboud the Frisian King defeated the Frankish mayor, Pipin of Heristal; the Franks take part of West Friesland (Holland, Utrecht)

695-754 Willibrord, Bonifacius, and others begin to Christianize Friesland

714 Frisians gain foothold in Holland and Utrecht

734 Charles of Martel with his Frankish army defeats the Frisians at the Boorne (Middelzee)

775-785 Charles the Great of the Franks (Charlemagne) occupies all of Friesland

800-1000 Norman invasions; the Normans Rorik and Godfried become counts of Friesland

11th century Stavoren, Bolsward, Leeuwarden, and Dokkum become prosperous towns. Brumo, Egbert I and II are the ruling counts

10-15th Wars between Holland and Friesland; West Friesland becomes part of Holland in the latter part of the 13th century

12th Many storm floods cause the creation of the Zuiderzee; West Friesland isolated from Friesland

1398-1401 The Hollanders invade Friesland; losses on both sides are high; peace is declared; Stavoren remains Holland's

1401-1498 Feuds between the Schieringers and Vet Koopers factions; each seek the support of Gelre and Holland

1498-1514 Edzard, Hendrik, and George of Saxony rule Friesland; George is forced to abdicate

1514-1523 Karel of Gelre invited to reign; war with Holland and Utrecht; Charles V occupies Friesland

1515-1538 First reformation movements appear

1566 Iconoclast, public preaching of reformed ideas

1572-1576 Revolt against the Spanish Government begins; de Robles, gevernor for King Philip II holds out for four years, then is forced to leave with his troops

1576-1648 War with Spain; Reformed religion takes hold; Roman Catholic Church properties are confiscated, forbidden to function; war ends with the treaty of Munster

1626-1668 Civil strife between the working and ruling classes caused by high taxes; oppression and gross injustice

1672-1674 War with France, England, Munster and Cologne

1690 Resolution concerning the keeping of church records

1714 Cattle pest

1747,1770,1782 Years of civil strife; Willem IV and V acquire dictatorial powers, very little change in social conditions

1745-46, 1786 Heavy losses in livestock due to the cattle pest; economic conditions worsen

1772 Resolution concerning the keeping of church records; enforcement improved

1795 Overthrow of the old regime with the help of French troops; Friesland part of the Batavian Republic

1805 Friesland part of the Kingdom of Holland, Louis Bonaparte king

1810-1814 Kingdom of Holland disolved; French occupation

1811 Records of the civil registration commence; adoption of surnames ordered

1816 Kingdom of the Netherlands established; Friesland becomes a Province

1849-50 Population registers commence