The Secrets of West-Vlieland: A Tale of Mystery and Treasures

Step back in time to the enchanting village of West-Vlieland in December 1703, where fate brings an extraordinary ship to its shores. As the villagers gather to salvage the ship's cargo, little do they know that they have discovered a fortune in gold, silver, and diamonds. In a village slowly disappearing into the sea, these precious treasures become a beacon of hope.

A Web of Silence: Unraveling the Truth

Word spreads like wildfire, and soon the village's attempts to conceal their ill-gotten gains come under scrutiny. In December 1704, a team of investigators from the prestigious Hof van Holland in The Hague arrives on the island to unravel the tangled web of secrecy and bring justice to light. Will they succeed in breaking through the walls of silence?

Untold Stories: The Unfiltered Reality

Preserved for centuries, a collection of raw and unfiltered accounts from the verhoren of the Hof van Holland provides a unique insight into the village society and the dynamics of the island. These hastily written testimonies offer a glimpse into the fading world of West-Vlieland, with scribbled signatures from the villagers and crosses from those who could not write.

Revealing the Extraordinary Ship: A Storm's Final Secret

But the verhoren do not only shed light on the village life; they gradually reveal the extraordinary nature of the ship that met its tragic fate just off the coast, in the midst of the most violent storm of the eighteenth century. Enter the world of Anne Doedens and Jan Houter as they meticulously reconstruct the events of December 1703, intertwining them with over three centuries of West-Vlieland's history. Unearthing previously unpublished documents and maps, they bring the lost village back to life, from its medieval beginnings to its ultimate demise. All that remains is a vast expanse of sand known as the Vliehors.

Discover the untold secrets of West-Vlieland, where a shipwreck, a village, and a treasure collide in a tale of intrigue and resilience. The Secrets of West-Vlieland is a captivating journey through history, providing a rare glimpse into the past and the enduring spirit of a village swallowed by the sea.