Middelburg, large view

Smallegange and the Nieuwe Cronyk van Zeeland

It is an extensive (almost 800-page long), illustrated description of Zeeland. The Cronyk was completed in 1696, but first appeared in 1700. The years of delay were caused by disagreements between the Zeeland cities and the States of Zeeland (the regional government).

This book is a summary and continuation of other chronicles published earlier by Jacobus Eyndius (Chronici Zelandiae), Johan Reygersberg and Marcus Zuerius van Boxhorn. Smallegange copied verbatim parts of the older chronicles whenever he could make use of them. He himself collected material about the history of Zeeland. This research cost him time and money, but he received financial support from the States of Zeeland. Much was also taken from the works of Marcus Zuerius van Boxhorn and Olivier de Wree.

The book deals with the political and military history of Zeeland, as well as its economy, geography and polity. Smallegange deals with all towns, fiefdoms, and a number of characters and institutions of Zeeland. The book is illustrated with maps, city and harbor views and images of buildings and country estates. Everything expresses the prosperity and wealth of the Zeeland elite of that time