Amsterdam proudly traces its official beginning to 1275, a year celebrated widely as the moment the city entered the historical record.
But while 1275 is indeed a significant milestone, it was not when Amsterdam became a town.
Historically, and based on verifiable records, Amsterdam’s municipal rights were granted around 1306, following a turbulent period involving Utrecht, Holland, and the Flemish invasion of 1304.
This article distinguishes between confirmed facts, traditional assumptions, and longstanding local narratives.
Table of Contents
1275: The First Written Mention – Not Town Rights
The earliest known document mentioning Amsterdam dates to 1275.
When Count Floris V of Holland granted the settlement toll exemption, allowing its inhabitants to travel through Holland without paying duties.
What we can verify:
- The charter exists and is preserved in the Amsterdam City Archives.
- It refers to “homines de Amestelledamme”, the earliest written form of the city’s name.
- The privilege greatly boosted Amsterdam’s early economic development.
What this charter did not do:
- It did not grant town rights.
- It did not place Amsterdam under Holland’s jurisdiction.
- It did not indicate that Amsterdam was already a city.
At the time, Amsterdam was still under the authority of the Bishop of Utrecht. Floris V had no power to grant full civic status.
Why People Confuse Toll Rights With Town Rights
Later tradition and municipal pride often misinterpreted 1275 as the year Amsterdam became a city because:
- Toll exemptions were usually given to towns, not villages.
- Amsterdam behaved increasingly like a town after 1275.
- The document was stored in Amsterdam’s own archives, making it more visible than ecclesiastical records in Utrecht.
But historically, the toll charter was an economic privilege, not a municipal constitution.
The Early 1300s: A Turbulent Period for Utrecht and Holland
What is confirmed by scholarly sources:
1304 – Flemish Invasion
In 1304, the Flemish attacked and briefly controlled both Utrecht and parts of Holland.
Bishop Guy of Avesnes (Henegouwen) was captured and temporarily removed from power.
Guild Uprising in Utrecht (1304)
During his absence, Utrecht’s guilds gained political power.
The Gildenbrief of 9 May 1304 is a verified document showing guilds asserting greater autonomy.
After Guy’s Return, Municipal Decisions Required Compromise
Multiple historians note that when Bishop Guy returned in 1305, he was forced to reconcile competing factions.
DutchReview summarises this as him recognising “a compromise had to be made between the various parties.”
However:
- There is no verified evidence that the Lords of Aemstel wrote to Amsterdam’s guilds requesting approval.
- The specific political choreography described in older local narratives cannot be confirmed through current academic sources.
1306: The Confirmed Year Amsterdam Received Town Rights
Most authoritative sources, including Government.nl and Amsterdam’s own municipal historians, agree on the following:
Amsterdam obtained town rights around 1306.
- The Bishop of Utrecht had the legal authority to grant them.
- The exact day is unclear; 13 June 1306 appears in some traditional accounts but lacks firm documentary confirmation today.
- The year 1306 is generally accepted and supported by contemporary administrative changes.
What town rights are typically included in this period:
- The right to hold markets
- Local judicial authority
- Permission to fortify the settlement
- Internal administrative autonomy
Because no original sealed charter survives in perfect condition, some details are debated.
But the wide scholarly consensus remains: 1306 marks Amsterdam’s true elevation to town status.
Tradition vs. History: Why 1275 Is Still Celebrated
Despite the historical record pointing to 1306, Amsterdam continues to emphasise:
“1275 – 700 years of Amsterdam”
Why?
- The Toll Charter is the oldest surviving document mentioning Amsterdam.
- It represents the beginning of Amsterdam’s economic rise.
- The year 1975 saw a major 700-year celebration, embedding the date in public memory.
- Revising the city’s “official age” is politically and culturally inconvenient.
This doesn’t mean 1275 is the wrong year to celebrate; it is simply the first documented instance of Amsterdam appearing in history.
Walls of Amsterdam: The Hidden History
As Amsterdam grew from a small riverside settlement into a legally recognised town after 1306, its development continued steadily over the following centuries.
One of the most significant milestones in this transformation was the construction of the city’s earliest defensive walls.
Structures that reflected Amsterdam’s rising importance and its need to protect growing trade and prosperity.
To explore how these fortifications shaped the city’s medieval expansion, see our detailed article on the old walls of Amsterdam.