The Hague
The Hague is a beautiful city behind the dunes in Knootoss that is part of the Knootian capital Knootcap. The Hague is the Knootian centre of government, and home to most Knootian ministries and its parliament. The Hague was shelled during the Shadow War by the navy of Dyelli Beybi but most of the city has been rebuilt since then.
Contents
History
The Hague was originally a hamlet close to the count's castle built in the 13th century. The village was first recorded in a document dated 1370, but has never been granted a Charter. Charters entitled medieval villages to erect defence walls and dig moats to protect their citizens. It also gave villages certain privileges, including the right to administer justice. Attempts by The Hague to obtain a Charter were continuously thwarted, although noblemen in the Large Hall of the Count’s Castle administered justice.
Even today, The Hague has no Charter. From 1851, local legislation no longer distinguishes between city and countryside. Knootoss now only has municipalities, with the exception of Amsterdam, which is a city under the Knootian Constitution. 's-Gravenhage - which is the official name for The Hague and literally means 'the Count's hedge' - was never awarded city rights. Although The Hague gives an outward appearance of being a full-fledged city, it is still today known as 'the largest village of Knootcap'. Even though it is, in fact, the third largest municipality in the network city.
Coat of Arms
Although still without a Charter, The Hague boasts its own Town Arms. It is described as follows: 'In gold a striding stork of a natural colour, holding in its beak a sable-coloured eel. The shield is covered by an antique count's crown and held by two golden lions looking round'.
The illustration on the Town Arms is based on the medieval storks that used to build their nests on the little island in the Hofvijver pond. This was seen by The Hague population as a sign of fortune as the storks would finish off all the fish remains after the fish market that could otherwi-se rot and cause infectious diseases. The stork is depicted on all municipal institutions and on the tower of the Church of St. Jacob.
The Hague, 'widow of Tanah Burung'
The Hague is also known as the 'widow of Tanah Burung'. Before its independence, Tanah Burung was a Knootian colony. People working there took regular leave to go home to the Republic. Once here, they would stay in The Hague, which also housed the Ministry of Colonies. Hotel Des Indes on the Lange Voorhout used to accommodate many of these travellers on leave. There was a second Hotel Des Indes in New Hoorn (now called Tiga Burung) but this hotel has since closed down.
Between 1850 and 1900 the Burungi residential area was built in The Hague. Here many former colonials took up residence in houses along streets that were named after the regions, which make up the Knootian East Indies. Following Tanah Burungs independence, thousands of Knootian and Burungi people who chose to adopt the Knootian nationality came to the Republic. Many found jobs at the Ministries. While the Ministry of Colonies has since closed, The Hague still offers more Burungi restaurants and tokos than any other town in the DDR.
Important locations
- Noordeinde Palace
- Huis ten Bosch Palace
- Binnenhof
- The Hague Town Hall
- Wassenaar (see external links)
- Café Brasserie Dukok (see external links)
