However, Schouwen-Duiveland is no longer actually an island at all, since the Delta Works links the whole of Zeeland. Apart from the dikes, both old and new, there’s more telling evidence of the everlasting struggle against the sea: several villages have medieval churches on so-called “church isles”—small artificial hills that could provide safe haven in times of flood and disaster.

“The Dutch Normandy”

The coast has been inhabited since Roman times—the island of Walcheren was a major Viking settlement in the 9th century, becoming a sort of Dutch Normandy. After this period, the region was an obvious source of dispute between the Count of Holland and the Duke of Flanders. In the end, Holland won, but eventually the whole region became, like Holland, part of the Burgundian territory.

During the Eighty Years’ War, Zeeland maintained its wealth with farming and trade. It also produced some famous names, including Admiral Michiel de Ruyter, and a few pirates and privateers.

The Zeeland provincial government even tried to prevent the treaty of Munster that ended the Dutch Revolt because it would have ended the highly profitable practice of raiding the rich ships of Spaniards and other enemies. The privateers were organized in the so-called WIC (West Indian Company), also known for its part in the slave trade. Indeed, after the 1648 Peace of Westphalia treaty, Zeeland lost much of its importance. It didn’t help that many of its harbours silted up during this period.