Christianity in the <scp>N</scp> etherlands
J. van Eijnatten
Abstract The most characteristic aspect of the religious history Netherlands until 1960s was variety Christian traditions that had to be accommodated within a relatively circumscribed geographical space. Defining space is not simple matter, for perimeter “Netherlands” changed continuously. Its boundaries were definitively settled only in 1839, with inclusion province Limburg south‐east. Although latest territorial addition Dutch state, witness earliest manifestation institutional Christianity when 4th century its current capital, Maastricht, began function as informal seat bishop Tongeren (now Belgium). Franks, who dominant political force region after fall Roman Empire, undertook initiatives establish churches further north. Dagobert I church built Utrecht around 630 and later commissioned Cologne convert “Frisians” occupied broad swath land stretching from present‐day Zeeland south‐west Groningen north‐east. These early ventures little effect.
The Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization