Stadsarchief van Leiden (Stadsbestuur) (SA II)
Item
Country
NL
Name of institution (English)
Erfgoed Leiden en Omstreken
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
dut
Contact information: postal address
Boisotkade 2A, 2311PZ Leiden
Contact information: phone number
0031 0715165355
Contact information: web address
Contact information: email
info@erfgoedleiden.nl
Reference number
0501A
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (English)
Leiden City Archives (City Council) (SA II)
Title (official language of the state)
Stadsarchief van Leiden (Stadsbestuur) (SA II)
Language of title
dut
Creator / accumulator
Algemeen en dagelijks bestuur (1574-1816)
Ambtenaar van de Burgerlijke Stand (1811-2000)
Besturen van de gebuurten (1616-1833)
Besturen van de laanorganisaties (1701-1897)
Gezelschap van pedellen, klerken en pachters van de bieraccijns en klerken van de rekenkamer
Gedeputeerden ter dagvaart (1577-1795)
Royeermeesters (1575-1795)
Stadsboden (1583-1843)
Tresorier extra-ordinaris/stadsfabriek (1592-1815)
Tresorier (ordinaris) (1579-1811)
Date(s)
1253/1897
Language(s)
dut
Extent
516.66 linear meters
Type of material
Textual Material
Physical condition
Good
Scope and content
The Stadsarchief van Leiden (Stadsbestuur) fonds comprises documentation related to the government of the city of Leiden. It is divided into five collections, which contain documentation produced by different institutions of government: I Algemeen en Dagelijks Bestuur; II Royermeesters; III Gedeputeerden ter Dagvaart; IV Tresorier (Ordinaris); V Tresorier Extra-Ordinaris, Dan Wel de Stadsfabriek. This extensive fonds includes documents related to local government (minutes, decrees, etc.), financial and patrimonial management, correspondence, and documentation related to judicial, ecclesiastical, or military affairs.
Among this documentation, there are scattered records related to conversos living in Leiden and to the Jewish community settled there. Some examples are the following:
I, 44 ("Gerechtsdagboek A", Court diary A), fol. 361: decision taken by Leiden authorities on August 22, 1585, to imprison a Portuguese converso named Balthasar and search his letters and baggage, despite the fact that he had a passport granted by Prince Maurice (1567-1625) that should grant him some protection.
I, 114 3W ("Gerechtsdagboeken", Court diaries), fols. 75-6: Court order of June 24, 1733, banning Jewish peddlers from selling linen and cotton in the streets, in response to complaints from local shopkeepers. This decision was taken in the context of crises in the Jewish community of Leiden, especially among the Ashkenazim.
Documentation related to Fernando Ximenes, Rodrigo da Veiga d'Évora and Grácia Rodrigues in II, 472 ("Vroedschapsboek K.L.", minutes of the city council meetings); II, 2960-2961 ("Tresoriers Rekeninge", Tresorier's Account, 1589); II, 9248-9249 ("Gerechtsdagboek A"). These documents were published by Jeremy D. Bangs (1983).
Among this documentation, there are scattered records related to conversos living in Leiden and to the Jewish community settled there. Some examples are the following:
I, 44 ("Gerechtsdagboek A", Court diary A), fol. 361: decision taken by Leiden authorities on August 22, 1585, to imprison a Portuguese converso named Balthasar and search his letters and baggage, despite the fact that he had a passport granted by Prince Maurice (1567-1625) that should grant him some protection.
I, 114 3W ("Gerechtsdagboeken", Court diaries), fols. 75-6: Court order of June 24, 1733, banning Jewish peddlers from selling linen and cotton in the streets, in response to complaints from local shopkeepers. This decision was taken in the context of crises in the Jewish community of Leiden, especially among the Ashkenazim.
Documentation related to Fernando Ximenes, Rodrigo da Veiga d'Évora and Grácia Rodrigues in II, 472 ("Vroedschapsboek K.L.", minutes of the city council meetings); II, 2960-2961 ("Tresoriers Rekeninge", Tresorier's Account, 1589); II, 9248-9249 ("Gerechtsdagboek A"). These documents were published by Jeremy D. Bangs (1983).
Archival history
The origins of the archive of the Leiden City Council date back to the early 16th century. Until 1512, privileges and charters issued by municipal authorities were stored in a room in the tower of the Pieterskerk. After its collapse in 1512, the documentation was temporarily removed to the house of the “schout” (sheriff). On December 22, 1513, the documents were finally transferred to the Town Hall and stored in a chest bought especially for this purpose.
Despite some prior vague directives, the first instructions with some detail on how archives of local government should be managed were published in 1610. The growth of the archive made it necessary to publish new instructions in 1668, which prescribed that the "secretaries", "griffier", and "ondersecretaris" (secretary, registrar, and undersecretary) should prepare "a general inventory" of all the documents, privileges, registers, protocols, resolution, etc. of the local government.
In the 18th century, the city secretaries Pieter van Groenendijck (1652–1731) and David van Royen (1727-1799) went much further. The first made an alphabetical index of the files and individual documents, which was kept until the end of the 18th century. Van Royen bundled countless separate pieces per subject into bindings, which would form the beginning of a new series.
In 1734, the archive occupied two adjoining rooms next to the Burgemeesterskamer (burgomaster's chamber), but the conservation conditions were not appropriate.
During the Batavian and French periods (1795–1813), no radical changes were made. The administrative regulations of 1803 (art. 54) established the separation of the archives of the judiciary authorities from the legislative and executive ones. The Kamer van Wethouders (Chamber of Councillors) was given responsibility for the preservation of the municipal archives, with the exception of the archives of the "schout" (sheriff) and "schepenen" (aldermen), which should be managed by the respective offices. In 1803, Professor Adriaan Kluit (1735-1807), an important Dutch scholar, started cooperating with the Kamer van Wethouders to investigate, organise and preserve archival materials, in particular those in worse conservation conditions. On November 10, 1805, Kluit finished a descriptive inventory of the archive. When the governor of Zuid Holland (South Holland) inquired about the state of the old archive on June 2, 1827, a summary report was sent with an extract from the Kluit.
On April 19, 1855, Rammelman Elsevier (1802-1877) was appointed the new archivist. In 1863-65, he published a new inventory of the municipal archives of Leyden. Other inventories were made by his successors in the following decades.
On May 1, 1893, a new archive building on the Boisotkade was completed, which was taken into use in November. Later, in 1937, a new inventory was published under the title Archief der secretarie van de stad Leiden 1253-1575. A total re-inventory was started in 1972.
Despite some prior vague directives, the first instructions with some detail on how archives of local government should be managed were published in 1610. The growth of the archive made it necessary to publish new instructions in 1668, which prescribed that the "secretaries", "griffier", and "ondersecretaris" (secretary, registrar, and undersecretary) should prepare "a general inventory" of all the documents, privileges, registers, protocols, resolution, etc. of the local government.
In the 18th century, the city secretaries Pieter van Groenendijck (1652–1731) and David van Royen (1727-1799) went much further. The first made an alphabetical index of the files and individual documents, which was kept until the end of the 18th century. Van Royen bundled countless separate pieces per subject into bindings, which would form the beginning of a new series.
In 1734, the archive occupied two adjoining rooms next to the Burgemeesterskamer (burgomaster's chamber), but the conservation conditions were not appropriate.
During the Batavian and French periods (1795–1813), no radical changes were made. The administrative regulations of 1803 (art. 54) established the separation of the archives of the judiciary authorities from the legislative and executive ones. The Kamer van Wethouders (Chamber of Councillors) was given responsibility for the preservation of the municipal archives, with the exception of the archives of the "schout" (sheriff) and "schepenen" (aldermen), which should be managed by the respective offices. In 1803, Professor Adriaan Kluit (1735-1807), an important Dutch scholar, started cooperating with the Kamer van Wethouders to investigate, organise and preserve archival materials, in particular those in worse conservation conditions. On November 10, 1805, Kluit finished a descriptive inventory of the archive. When the governor of Zuid Holland (South Holland) inquired about the state of the old archive on June 2, 1827, a summary report was sent with an extract from the Kluit.
On April 19, 1855, Rammelman Elsevier (1802-1877) was appointed the new archivist. In 1863-65, he published a new inventory of the municipal archives of Leyden. Other inventories were made by his successors in the following decades.
On May 1, 1893, a new archive building on the Boisotkade was completed, which was taken into use in November. Later, in 1937, a new inventory was published under the title Archief der secretarie van de stad Leiden 1253-1575. A total re-inventory was started in 1972.
Administrative / Biographical history
Leiden's administrative structure was rooted in the same system of government that existed in other Dutch cities, which was developed in the 14th and 15th centuries and did not significantly change during the Dutch Revolt.
In short, the administrative structure of Leiden had its core in the Vroedschap (City Council), composed of 40 members appointed in perpetuity. Every year, on St. Maarten's evening (November 10), this council elected four "burgemeesters" (burgomasters) from among its members, who were responsible for the daily management of the city. They had the responsibility of convening the City Council, chairing the meetings, formulating the proposals, and were the first to cast their votes.
Shortly before St. Jacob's day (July 25), the Vroedschap appointed the eight "schepenen" (aldermen). They had jurisdiction over the administration of criminal and civil justice. When the court faced criminal cases, the eight "schepenen" had to be present. For civil cases, only the majority. On September 5, 1702, a limit of two consecutive years was imposed for those who held this office. The "schepenen" were involved in legal acts in the sphere of the so-called "voluntaire rechtspraak" (voluntary justice), namely in writing deeds of transfer, mortgage, prenuptial agreement, and others. Their jurisdiction with regard to common land resources extended not only to the city but to the entire district of which Leiden was the capital.
The Vroedschap also nominated the three members of the Schoutambt (Sheriff's office). The "schout" (sheriff) was the highest authority in the city. As a representative of the Count of Holland, he presided over the meetings of the Gerecht (General Court). The "schout" mostly operated in the field of urban justice and also acted as a public prosecutor on behalf of the regional government in the academic quarter, under the title of "Promotor Academiae". The office of the "schout" lasted for three years but, until 1669, he could be reappointed again and again.
The "schout" (sheriff), "burgemeesters" and "schepenen" together formed the Gerecht, the highest legislative body in Leiden.
The Vroedschap was also responsible for appointing two "tresoriers" (treasurers), one ordinary and the other extraordinary. Each one was entrusted with a part of the financial management of the city: the "tresorier ordinaris" looked after all financial matters, with the exception of those that fell under the competence of the "tresorier extraordinary", who dealt with public investments and a few other matters. The accounts of the two "tresoriers" were approved and closed by the College van royeermeesters (board of trustees).
See the archival description of this fonds for more detailed information on other municipal bodies and their evolution.
In short, the administrative structure of Leiden had its core in the Vroedschap (City Council), composed of 40 members appointed in perpetuity. Every year, on St. Maarten's evening (November 10), this council elected four "burgemeesters" (burgomasters) from among its members, who were responsible for the daily management of the city. They had the responsibility of convening the City Council, chairing the meetings, formulating the proposals, and were the first to cast their votes.
Shortly before St. Jacob's day (July 25), the Vroedschap appointed the eight "schepenen" (aldermen). They had jurisdiction over the administration of criminal and civil justice. When the court faced criminal cases, the eight "schepenen" had to be present. For civil cases, only the majority. On September 5, 1702, a limit of two consecutive years was imposed for those who held this office. The "schepenen" were involved in legal acts in the sphere of the so-called "voluntaire rechtspraak" (voluntary justice), namely in writing deeds of transfer, mortgage, prenuptial agreement, and others. Their jurisdiction with regard to common land resources extended not only to the city but to the entire district of which Leiden was the capital.
The Vroedschap also nominated the three members of the Schoutambt (Sheriff's office). The "schout" (sheriff) was the highest authority in the city. As a representative of the Count of Holland, he presided over the meetings of the Gerecht (General Court). The "schout" mostly operated in the field of urban justice and also acted as a public prosecutor on behalf of the regional government in the academic quarter, under the title of "Promotor Academiae". The office of the "schout" lasted for three years but, until 1669, he could be reappointed again and again.
The "schout" (sheriff), "burgemeesters" and "schepenen" together formed the Gerecht, the highest legislative body in Leiden.
The Vroedschap was also responsible for appointing two "tresoriers" (treasurers), one ordinary and the other extraordinary. Each one was entrusted with a part of the financial management of the city: the "tresorier ordinaris" looked after all financial matters, with the exception of those that fell under the competence of the "tresorier extraordinary", who dealt with public investments and a few other matters. The accounts of the two "tresoriers" were approved and closed by the College van royeermeesters (board of trustees).
See the archival description of this fonds for more detailed information on other municipal bodies and their evolution.
Access points: locations
Access points: persons, families
Access points: subject terms
Access points: document types
System of arrangement
The documentation is organised by officers. Internally, the sub-fonds are divided into types of documents, and series are organised chronologically.
Access, restrictions
Extensive documentation is available online:
Finding aids
Links to finding aids
Author of the description
Kevin Soares, 2022
Published primary sources
Linked resources
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| Title | Alternate label | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Erfgoed Leiden en Omstreken | Collections (official language of the state) |