In the footsteps of Jan Claesen

Prisca Visser is a photographer with a love of the outdoors and nature. For the Biesboschlinie she regularly goes out to capture stories. She stopped by Jan Claesen's grave and tells us everything you need to know about visiting the Andel area. A story full of folk tales, Kaaie Poale, as well as a statue stolen on New Year's Eve 1980.

When a village has been around for centuries, it is inevitable that old folk tales will develop. These legends or sagas were passed down from father to child. Consider that there was no social media or TV to entertain you yet. Often there was not even enough light at night to read. After the evening meal, the family huddled around the fire and stories were told. To everyone's amusement, these sagas became just a little more exciting and imaginative after each lore. One of these folk tales revolves around a figure who today has gained fame as a puppet and through a song by Rob de Nijs. I'm talking about Jan Claesen!

Jan Claesen is said to have been a trumpeter in the army of Prince Frederick Henry. This prince was a son of our William of Orange and his army took on the Spanish occupiers. Such an army required a lot of soldiers. Jan did not like violence and fighting, but fortunately he could become a trumpeter. With a large, red feather fluttering on his cap, he blew the tattoo every evening in the army quarters. Time for the innkeeper to put on the tap and send the soldiers to their britches. This little life suited Jan Claesen just fine. But then it actually came to a battle! Jan had to scare off the Spaniards with his trumpeting. All that misery on the battlefield, Jan Claesen was not fit for it. According to tradition, he left the army and went traveling through the country with a puppet show together with his wife Katrijn. Because Jan could entertain other people like the best of them.

We don't know what happened to Jan Claesen. I imagine that he and Katrijn had many adventures throughout the country. From fair to horse fair, plenty of places where they could settle down with their puppet show. Until the name of Jan Claesen reappeared in history. In the cemetery near the Romboutstoren in Andel there is a tombstone with Jan's name on it. Not only that, it describes in firm terms how Jan Claesen died. Murdered by "one van Breda and his group," on Thursday evening, October 5, around sunset. Could this be the same Jan Claesen from Rob de Nijs' song? The Jan who had no money, was no hero, but was a trumpeter in heart and soul? We'll never know for sure, but that's the beauty of old folk tales.

On a sunny spring day, Prisca goes to visit the grave of Jan Claesen. The Rombout tower is a remnant of the church it used to be. Only the imposing stone tower, a piece of the wall and a little chapel still stand. That the tower was made entirely of stone at that time is very unique in this region. The lawn in front of the tower is covered by purple and yellow crocuses. To get to Jan Claesen's grave you have to walk around the tower to the left, signs indicate the route. It seems quieter here, or is that just a feeling? The iron gate squeaks as I slowly push it open, the pebbles crunching under my shoes. Sheltered against the stone wall is a large flat stone, with the inscription that this is indeed where Jan Claesen must lie.

In front of the Rombout tower in Andel is a work of art depicting Jan Claesen as a trumpeter. There has been much controversy over another statue of Jan Claesen. This statue is not in Andel, but in front of the fishing museum in Woudrichem. This detailed depiction of an army trumpeter was offered by the Rotary Club in 1977. In the hubbub of New Year's Eve in 1980, this statue was stolen. In daylight, it became visible that only the pedestal was still there! The municipality of Woudrichem received a letter stating that Jan Claesen belonged in Andel. At the cemetery in Andel there was a sign saying 'Jan belongs here'. The statue was later recovered in Andel and restored to its former glory on the square in front of the fishery museum, where the little man has been braving wind and weather jauntily ever since.

Should you wish to visit the grave of Jan Claesen and the Romboutstoren, you can easily combine it with a few more historical sites in the area. At the bottom of the dike is another church with a special story. Popularly called "The Blaauw Church," this church has a reason. If you walk by now, there is nothing to be seen that indicates a blue color. That was different around 1851. A piece was added to the church, and the entire exterior received a fresh coat of plaster. Due to a mistake by the contractor in the mixture, after a while the church took on a blue color! This has since been repaired and, unfortunately, nothing more can be seen of it.

On the Hoge Maasdijk itself you have a magnificent view of the Afgedamde Maas. In a sharp bend stands the old ferry house "De Zwaan. From here people sailed to Rotterdam and Den Bosch. For times the house functioned as an inn for people who wanted to sail across. The house was built in 1632, which means that Jan Claesen will certainly have walked past it, since his date of death is only in 1634. Above the door is still a beautiful old sign referring to its former function. It is now a residential house and marked as a national monument. A small, round sign tells me that even Napoleon Bonaparte spent the night here!

If you walk or drive further down the dike, you will find two old, gray poles in the road verge on your left. These are the boundary posts that used to indicate the division between Altena and Heusden. In local dialect, these are the "Kaaie Poale.

Below you can download a route that takes you through Andel. You also pass fort Giessen. If you want to see the border posts and the ferry house, you have to follow the Hoge Maasdijk in the direction of Veen. An extra round trip of 3 kilometers, but I can tell you, that is not a punishment in these beautiful surroundings!

Would you also like to follow in the footsteps of Jan Claesen? Here are some great tips:

- Walking route 'Around Andel', this walk starts at the Wilhelminasluis. Along the provincial road you walk towards Giessen to walk via Fort Giessen towards Andel. Once on the Hoge Maasdijk you have a beautiful view of the river. The grave of Jan Claesen can be found in the cemetery near the Romboutstoren in Andel.
- Spar Food Club, Burgemeester van der Schansstraat 18 in Andel. The Spar is the place to go for a delicious breakfast, lunch or a quick bite to eat. They are open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- A book has been written: Jan Claesen the Trumpeter. This is for sale at Drogisterij Verbeek, Beatrixstraat 23 in Andel.

Did you know that the buildings in Andel go way back in time? The most striking building is the Romboutstoren, with a characteristic brick spire. This dates back sometime in the 14th century. The church in Andel also has a long history and was probably built just before 1300.

Text and photos: www.priscavisser.nl. Here you will find all of Prisca's blogs.

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