Editing Harlingen, Netherlands (section)

=== The early modern period (1500–1800) ===
The first significant event of the [[early modern period]] was the first expansion of the fortified town in 1543. During the opening phases of the [[Eighty Years' War]] (1566–1648) a lot of religious fugitives settled in Harlingen. Many of these were [[Mennonites in the Netherlands|Mennonites]], a [[Baptists|baptist]] branch of [[Protestantism]]. In 1579 and 1580 this led to a second major expansion of the town, which brought the village of [[Almenum]] into the city perimeter.{{sfn|Bachiene|1791|p=1252}} Almenum holds a special place in the Christian history of Frisia.

In 1597 a third expansion followed. It led to the demolition of the old city walls, except for two round towers on the water front.{{sfn|Bachiene|1791|p=1252}} A more modern system of earthen fortifications replaced it. It had five bastions on the east side and the ability to inundate most of the surrounding countryside.{{sfn|Bachiene|1791|p=1253}}

In 1645, the [[Admiralty of Friesland]] was moved to Harlingen. It had previously been established in [[Dokkum]] in 1597. This admiralty had ten councilors: four from Friesland; one each from Gelderland, Utrecht, Holland, and Overijssel; and two from Groningen. In 1770 the admiralty building on the Nieuwe Haven burned down together with a number of adjacent warehouses. These had not been rebuilt by 1791.{{sfn|Bachiene|1791|p=1254}}

After the reformation, the Dutch Protestant Church had two churches; the church called the "Dome of Harlingen" in Almenum, and the smaller Wester Kerk. The many Menonites, had two [[Minister (Christianity)|ministers]]. The  Lutherans had their own church. The Catholics had a [[clandestine church]], which was legal, but had to remain discreet.{{sfn|Bachiene|1791|p=1255}}

The town hall was on the southern side of the Oude Haven. Behind it was the [[Weigh house]] and nearby the {{lang|nl|Korenbeurs}} a building where the [[grain trade]] took place. The town had a [[Latin school]] with three teachers. There was an orphanage or shelter for the children of the poor.{{sfn|Bachiene|1791|p=1255}}

In the later 18th century, Harlingen was the second city of Friesland with about 7,500 inhabitants.{{sfn|Bachiene|1791|p=1253}} The city was heavily dependend on trade. From the Baltic, it merchants brought [[cereal]]s, [[timber]], [[flax]], [[hemp]], [[Pitch (resin)|pitch]], [[tar]], and other shipping necessities. Harlingen also imported a lot of wine. All these goods were forwarded through the whole province as well as to [[Groningen (province)|Groningen province]]. The imports also led to the foundation of multiple wind powered [[sawmill]]s in the vicinity.{{sfn|Bachiene|1791|p=1256}}

Harlingen exported: [[butter]], [[cheese]], [[pea]]s, [[bean]]s, horses, [[cattle]], and sheep. The animals were embarked at Harlingen and shipped to Holland and even outside of the Dutch Republic.{{sfn|Bachiene|1791|p=1256}}

As regards industry, the inhabitants made sails, [[bombazine]], Velours d'Utrecht, [[yarn]], etc. Near the city a lot of salt was made. There were several works for [[roof tiles]] and for saucers and dishes. Harlingen also had some [[lime kiln]]s. These early industrial enterprises relied on the fact that [[peat]] could cheaply be transported over water to Harlingen. Fishing was another steady means of existence for the population.{{sfn|Bachiene|1791|p=1256}}

All this trade and industry had multiple causes. The first consisted of the natural navigable trenches in the Wadden Sea that connected to Harlingen. The second were the harbor works, which were greatly improved with the third city expansion in 1597. At that time, the Nieuwe Haven and the Oude Buitenhaven were created, both within the city limits. The Buitenhaven stuck out into the Wadden Sea with two dams. It meant that Harlingen was a [[port]]. However most of the heavily loaded ships had to transload on the roadstead or harbor before the town, before they could enter the Buitenhaven.{{sfn|Bachiene|1791|p=1253}}

The third reason for the maritime activity in Harlingen was that the whole of [[Westergoa]] discharged its water on the Wadden Sea via two locks that exited in the Nieuwe- and Oude Haven. This was somewhat of a guarantee that the trenches in the Wadden Sea would remain in place. It also allowed the city to control the water level in the canals of Westergo. The most important of these was the [[Harlingertrekvaart]] from Harlingen to Franeker and then to Leeuwarden, most of which would later become part of the [[van Harinxmakanaal]]. In the 1640s, the municipalities of Harlingen and Leeuwarden constructed a [[towpath]] along the Harlingertrekvaart. This allowed for reliable and frequent transport to the town's [[hinterland]]. In the 18th century, there was a daily connection by boat from Harlingen to Amsterdam and vice versa.{{sfn|Bachiene|1791|p=1257}}