The name "ten Thij" belongs to an old Saxon family of which
 the first records date back to August 31rst of the year 1230.
 On that very date Willibrand, the Bishop of Trajectum (Utrecht in
 the Netherlands), declared that he has granted city-rights in the
 presence of the war-lords to the inhabitants of the village Suolle
 (Zwolle) for their contribution in the battle against the Drenthones
 (German tribes from the northern part of the present Netherlands).
 Amongst these war-lords was mentioned, being a co-signer of this
 document, a knight called Nycolaus ten Thij.
 The inhabitants of Zwolle were also granted these rights, by which
 they could build city-walls and canals, and enjoy a certain
 freedom, for their financial contribution to help build the castle of
 Hardenborg.
 The document is one of many that reveal the gaining influence in
 the Netherlands of the local gentry and the people in the cities, a
 tendency that marked the era.
        
 The results of these city- rights to build
 walls and canals are still well
 represented in an old map of this city in
 the seventeenth century by Ioan Blaeu
(23.09.1596 - 28.12.1673). 
        
 (N.B. meant to be presented are not the
 later built fortifications, but of course the
 older city-structures).
  
 
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