Population (1 Jan 2004): 147.153; area: 32,11 km². Settlements: Haarlem
(seat), Spaarndam (part).
Flag: red with at the hoist a white sword with yellow hilt with on
top a shortened wide-armed cross and on both sides two white six-pointed
stars on top of each other.
Haarlem is the seat of Noord-Holland province, and the main town of
the region known as "Kennemerland" (South-West Noord-Holland). It was founded
in the early Middle Ages. Count Willem II granted cityrights in 1245. In
1217-1219 Haarlemmers played a major rôle in the siege of Damiate
(Dumjat in Egypt), and as a reward the German emperor granted them a sword
in the coat of arms. The patriarch of Jerusalem added a star. The counts
of Holland built a hunting lodge and resided there until 1287, when Floris
V moved definitively to Den Haag. Haarlem is the second oldest town of
Holland (after Dordrecht). Famous citizens include Jan Huygens van Linschoten,
who prepared with his "Itinerario" the Dutch expeditions to the East-Indies.
Laurens Janszoom Coster was supposed to have invented book-printing (he
cut a letter out of a beech in the Haarlemmerhout; the letter fell in sand
and the imprint inspired "Loutje" to the great idea...) In 1572
Haarlem was beleagered by the Spaniards; its resistance was led by the
legendary Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaar (In Dutch a "Kenau" is a bossy,
robust woman).
Haarlem old flag
by Jarig Bakker, 7 Sep 2004
unofficial
Description: red, with in the center of white a pointed sword, pointed
downwards with on both sides a white six-pointed star.
This flag was not official. It was documented in the Neapolitan flagbook
of 1667 and was a simplified image of the municipal arms. In the 17th century
Haarlem was not a port anymore, so the flag must be must older.
The flag was not used anymore, while a two-striped flag of red and
white was occasionally seen.
Source: Sierksma's Nederlands Vlaggenboek (1962).
Jarig Bakker, 7 Sep 2004
"Vicit vim virtus" means: virtue forces power to yield. An old rhyme
gives the following explanation:
1219: the Pope gave the Cross, the Emperor his Sword. The four Stars
were given by the Patriarchs and the Cardinals the Red field, for the Haarlemmers
conquered Damiate, 1610.
The small bells are called "Damiaatjes", just like the small bells
in the carillon, which are played in the evening.
Source: Kl. Sierksma, "De gemeentewapens van Nederland", 1968.
Haarlemsche Jachtclub
by Ivan Sache, 10 Jul 2002
The burgee of Haarlemsche Jachtclub (Haarlem Yacht Club) is red divided
by with a white cross and with a yellow star inside a black diamond placed
in the middle of the cross.
Source: HJC website.
Ivan Sache, 10 Jul 2002
Shipmate Flagchart : http://www.flagchart.net
![[Haarlem old flag]](../images/n/nl-nh_hl.gif)
by Jarig Bakker, 7 Sep 2004
International
Civic Arms : http://www.ngw.nl/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Haarlem
![[Haarlemsche Jachtclub burgee]](../images/n/nl~haajc.gif)
by Ivan Sache, 10 Jul 2002
