Welcome to my very first journal entry!

For my first entry, and since Thanksgiving is just around the corner, I thought I would share an historical fact very few are aware of; the Pilgrims in their decade-long stay in Holland prior to their journey to the New World!

After my little share, you’ll find a lovely little Thanksgiving recipe using none other than a Dutch Oven! Thanksgiving all-in-one pot! Easy peasy and oh, so yummy!

We’re going to have lots of fun! So, let’s get started!

The First Thanksgiving, Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, 1621 (Wiki Commons)

A Dutch Thanksgiving?

Why, yes! The history of the pilgrims involves the Dutch! So, quite naturally it involves the first Thanksgiving! And, do we ever have a fun and easy Dutch Thanksgiving meal planned for you! We’ll start with a bit of history and end with a scrumptious recipe which will set your hand-made and hand-painted Royal Delft dinnerware, lovely linens, and one of a kind decor off quite exceptionally nicely!

Have you ever wondered where the pilgrims were before they sailed to America? Well, we have the scoop!

The pilgrims were indeed in the Netherlands! It may very well be surprising to learn that the pilgrims were in the Netherlands before they arrived in America, but the story doesn’t end there. The pilgrims who were in the Netherlands, in a town called Leiden, were surprisingly a very important part of Dutch-American history. They were a far-reaching and crucial group and an integral part of American history. They were an ostracized religious group who escaped from England, came to live in Leiden, remained for over a decade, and then set sail for America; the New World.

 
City of Leiden (Wiki Commons)

But let’s take a closer look together shall we, at the timeline, as it were, before the pilgrims came to Leiden. The city already had an established history of diverse inhabitants. Leiden was home to many Catholic Spaniards during that time. After they were forced to leave, French-speaking refugees arrived. This led to an increase in population. Between the late 16th century and the mid 17th century, the population of the city grew from 15,000 to 45,000. Quite an increase!

At that point, the pilgrims arrived. Anyone familiar with the founding story of the United States will have naturally heard about this group before. This small group of people who sailed to America aboard the Mayflower, became the founders of the Colony of Plymouth in New England. Another association you’ll have with the pilgrims is, of course, Thanksgiving!

 
England (Wiki Commons)

Pilgrims in England How did the pilgrims end up in Leiden? Prior to their passage to the Netherlands, the pilgrims lived in a farming village named Scrooby, close to northern Nottinghamshire. The group was faced with leaving the country because of the belief system they held. Because of this belief system, they had irreconcilable differences with the Church of England and so, they had to leave. This might have been a sad and bitter end to their story, but as we all know, without that sad ending to their life in England, had it not have been such, the history of America would read quite differently. They set the course for what is America today. That small persecuted group made big impacts, of which we are still experiencing today.

Enjoy a short video on the Pilgrims journey to America.

Daily Life in Leiden

Life for the pilgrims in this newfound city of Leiden was not easy. Many of them had little to no educational background. That made going about daily life difficult. Additionally, there was the language barrier which made communication difficult, as well. After staying in Leiden for over a decade many changes were taking place. One of which was the fact their children were growing up and being influenced by the Dutch culture with learning the language and developing connections with the local children. Their now grown-up children were learning Dutch, possibly refusing the old ways, and yearning for the Dutch way of life.

At the same time, the political state of the Netherlands was becoming more unstable. There were a number of riots, a coup, military restrictions imposed, and censorship being propagated onto the citizens of the Netherlands as well as the pilgrims. Rumors of war were heard far and wide as The Twelve Year Truce with Spain was coming to an end.

Journey Bound

Afraid of losing their identity, and possibly their legacy, the pilgrims of Leiden decided to leave in search of a new home. They decided to sail to America.

At first, only a few of the pilgrims journeyed to America. The younger pilgrims of Leiden set sail at first with others following later. The remainder of the pilgrims were to join them later, but some of them decided to stay in the Netherlands. The pilgrims who stayed in the Netherlands became part of the Dutch culture. The Pilgrim’s story is a very important part of the Dutch-American history and culture which has shaped the national identity shared by millions of Americans today.

In celebration of the Pilgrims of Leiden and Thanksgiving, I have included a fun and easy Dutch Oven All-in-One Thanksgiving meal with my first journal entry!

Vegetarian and Vegan options are quite simple! Just leave out the turkey and substitute with an option of your choice! Vegan options are exactly the same, plus simply leave off the milk and butter, and substitute the turkey for an option of your choice.

Brooke Lutz - In My Own Words - November 2022