Haarlem

Religion

The diocese of Haarlem has been a Catholic diocese since 1559 (Dioecesis Harlemensis). The original Catholic cathedral the Sint-Bavo Cathedral at the Grote Markt, is called after the patron saint of Haarlem, Saint Bavo. The first bishop of Haarlem was Nicolaas van Nieuwland (born in 1510). He accepted the position on November 6th, 1561. In 1569 he was advised to resign by the Duke of Alva, because of his reputation for drinking (Dronken Klaasje).

Related Topics:
Diocese of Haarlem - Catholic diocese - 1559 - Sint-Bavo Cathedral - Patron saint - Saint Bavo - Nicolaas van Nieuwland - November 6th - 1561

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Van Nieuwland was followed up by Godfried van Mierlo, who would be the last bishop of Haarlem for 300 years. Haarlem's cathedral was spared from the iconoclastic riots of 1566 in the Netherlands, because the city's major ordered the closing of the church for several months.

Related Topics:
Iconoclastic riots - 1566

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Just before the siege of Haarlem by the Spaniards, the cathedral was cleared of catholic symbols. After the siege the Spanish army restored the catholic decoration of the church. The guilds had to make sure their own altars (that had also been 'cleared' out of the cathedral) were restored, which was very expensive.

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On Sacramentsday (May 29th) in 1578 the Saint Bavo Cathedral was attacked by soldiers of the Prince of Orange. One of the priests was killed, and many objects in the church were destroyed. This event, called the Haarlemse Noon, forced the bishop to flee the city. The city council confiscated the church, and converted it later to a Protestant church. The new (and current) name of the Cathedral became Sint-Bavokerk. The Agreemeent of Veere was thus clearly breached.

Related Topics:
May 29th - 1578 - Prince of Orange - Sint-Bavokerk

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It wasn't until 1853 that a new Catholic bishop was installed. A new cathedral, again called the Cathedral of Saint Bavo, was built at the Leidsevaart in 1898. The bishop of Haarlem nowadays lives on the Nieuwe Gracht.

Related Topics:
Cathedral of Saint Bavo - 1898

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