Willem Eggert

Who was Willem Eggert?

Willem Eggert, was a Dutch politician, noble, banker and schepen of Amsterdam. He owned much land in Weesp, Monnickendam, Oosthuizen, Aalsmeer and Wognum.

Eggert was the son of the rich landholder Jan Eggert. In 1392 he became advisor to Albert I, Duke of Bavaria, count of Holland. In 1404 he was made treasurer of Amsterdam. Eggert was the financier to the count and a powerful member in Holland. In 1410 Eggert was styled 1st Lord of the free and high fief Purmerend and Purmerland. In the same year he was allowed, by count William VI of Holland, to build his own fortified castle, Slot Purmerstein. Constructions on the castle finished in 1413. Between 1416 and 1417 Eggert was named a stadtholder of Holland. His son Jan Eggert succeeded his father as Lord of Purmerend and Purmerland.