Haring Harinxma

Who was Haring Harinxma?

Haring Harinxma was a powerful Frisian chieftain and Schieringer who lived during the 13th and early 14th centuries. Haring also used the surname Donia, and is considered the patriarch of this well known Frisian family. Another title used by Haring was thoe Heeg meaning 'of Heeg', where he was born and lived.

The Schieringers elected him potestate of Westergo, together with Sjoerd Wiarda, van Gotum of Oostergo in the struggle against the count of Holland in 1399. The appointment of Potestates aligned with the Schieringers lead to renewed factionalism between the Vetkopers and Schieringers.

Seventeen 'Landsheeren' or Potestates served Friesland, from Magnus Forteman in 809 until the last, Juw Dekama, van Baard in 1494.

Continued 'bloody' factionalism between the Schieringers and the Vetkopers finally resulted in the Holy Roman Emperor, Maximilian I, installing Albert, Duke of Saxony as hereditary governor of Friesland in 1498.

The Monk/Historian Petrus Thaborita writes in 1500 about "Haghe Haringsma", who was a Commander. A famous descedendent of Harinxma was the Frisian freedom fighter Pier Gerlofs Donia.