Editing Bodegraven (section)

==History==
Bodegraven was already inhabited in the [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] Era. It was situated at the [[Roman Empire]]'s northern border, the [[Limes Germanicus]]. As such, many army camps, ports, and roads were built by the Romans. Many settlements originated on the road along the Limes, including Bodegraven.

Not much is known about Bodegraven after that. According to folklore, a lost map from 809 made reference to a [[fiefdom]] "Bodelo". There is certainty however that circa 1050 a small settlement had formed, probably near the current Dorpskerk (Village Church). After two centuries of dispute between the bishop of [[Utrecht (city)|Utrecht]] and the Counts of Holland, Bodegraven eventually became part of [[Holland]].

In the late Middle Ages, large tracts of land around Bodegraven were prepared for cultivation by digging division ditches (''kavelsloten'') perpendicular to the rivers (such as [[Oude Rijn (Utrecht and South Holland)|Oude Rijn]], [[Meije (river)|Meije]], and [[Oude Bodegrave]]) between [[Land lot|land parcels]] and then ditches cross-wise some {{convert|1250|m|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}} from and parallel to the rivers (''achtersloten''). This created the distinctive grid pattern of field divisions. Circa 1350, a [[Lock (water transport)|lock]] was built at Bodegraven.

In 1672 when [[Third Anglo-Dutch War|war]] was declared between the [[Dutch Republic]] and England, France, Münster, and Cologne, Bodegraven was just behind the [[Dutch Water Line|Water Defense Line]]. The Water Line was inundated and formed a barrier to the advancing French troops. But during the winter the French could advance over the frozen polders to [[Meije (Netherlands)|Meije]] and [[Zwammerdam]]. Before reaching [[Alphen aan den Rijn]] they could be repelled by the Dutch. Thaw had set in so the only retreat route was along the dike of the Oude Rijn. The French therefore came through Bodegraven and destroyed it. Afterwards, the fort Wierickerschans was built just east of the town.

[[File:Bodegraven straat.jpg|thumb|230px|left|Street scene in Bodegraven.]]
Until 1870 Bodegraven prospered. But in that year fire broke out in a bakery which subsequently burnt a large part of the town. In all a 100 homes had burnt down and 130 families were homeless. A national collection was held and the town quickly recovered.

In the 20th century, Bodegraven expanded: the southside between the Oude Rijn and the railway was built up circa 1900, the northside between the World Wars, and since the 1950s the area between the railway and the A12 Motorway has been built up.