The count's town at the meeting of the IJssel and the Berkel, once a royal residence, seat of the old counts of Zutphen, with the collegiate church of St Walburgis (rebuilt from 1200) and the count's mint.
It has just received town rights from Otto I.
Who holds it
- Name
- Otto I
- Title
- Count of Guelders and Zutphen
- Since
- 1182
- Confidence
- high
Lord in 1200
Count Otto I of Guelders and Zutphen
How things stand that morning
The count's town.
Charter
Town rights from Count Otto I between 1190 and 1196 (commonly dated 1190)
Council
Aldermen of the new town court (not pinned in detail)
Walls and castle
Old ring fort; the count's court on the site of the royal palace; medieval walls later
Trade and crafts
IJssel and Berkel trade; the count's mint (coins of Henry I and Otto I)
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: English Wikipedia gives town rights 1191-1196 and the coinage.
Primary sources for Guelders
Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.
- Annals of Egmond (12th century to about 1205). The house annals of Egmond, the counts of Holland's abbey, and the main native source for Holland around 1200. Read online
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.