Oosterbierum (Frisian: Easterbierrum) is a village in Franekeradeel municipality
in (NW) Fryslân province. Oosterbierum used to belong to the former
municipality of Barradeel, with c. 610 inhabitants (together with the village
Klooster Lidlum). -bierum is from "berim" - house, barn.
There are three neighbouring villages: Oosterbierum, Sexbierum, and Pietersbierum,
colloquially known as "De Bierumen", Frisian: De Bjirmen.
The fourth village, Westerbierum, was swept away in the Middle Ages
by flooding.
Oosterbierum was connected to the sea by the "Vischvaart" (fish-canal),
which may explain the flounder in the flag. The corn-ear is for the heavy
seaclay, which grows fat farmers :-)
Nickname: "koekefretters" - cake-eaters (see Hallum).
I suppose that St. George (St. Joris) was the patron saint of the village,
although an old chronicle mentions St. Gregorius as patron saint of the
village-church.
Lidlum or Mariëndal was a Norbertine abbey, founded at sea near
Tzummarum. The nuns got a convent in Baijum.
Lidlum was moved land inward in 1234, and had in 1200 600 inhabitants.
It became involved in the feud between Schieringers and Vetkopers, to which
Abbot Eelco Liauckama fell victim in 1322, when he was murdered by his
own lay brothers. It was demolished by the Watergeuzen in 1572.
Jarig Bakker, 7 Oct 2004
Saint George was on the windvane of the church spire; the Oosterbierumers
wanted the cpmplete saint and nothing else... So they got "Sint Joris"
on the village Coat of Arms, and his cross on the flag!
Hans van Heijningen, 4 Nov 2004
Oosterbierum Coat of Arms
by Jarig Bakker, 7 Oct 2004
adopted 2004; design: R.J. Broersma
![[Oosterbierum villageflag]](../images/n/nl-fr2ob.gif)
by Jarig Bakker, 7 Oct 2004
![[Oosterbierum Coat of Arms]](../images/n/nl-fr}ob.gif)
by Jarig Bakker, 7 Oct 2004
