Focko Ukena

Focko Ukena (Neermoor, 1360 or 1370 - 1435) was an East-Frisian hoofdeling (literally: headman) who played an important part in the struggle between the Vetkopers and Schieringers in the provinces of Groningen and Friesland. Aside from this he was one of the leading figures in the resistance against the forts of stately authority in East-Frisia of the tom Broke family.

Frisian freedom

In the north of present-day Netherlands, roughly the current provinces of Groningen and Friesland, there existed virtuall no stately authority. This freedom was threatened from multiple sides.

In the present day East-Frisia, the family of tom Broke was attempting to establish a dynasty. And in what is now the province of Friesland, the counts of Holland were expanding their influence. The city of Groningen was also trying to expand its power. And through all of this the rivalry of the Vetkopers and Schieringers played.

Role of Ukena

Ukena was originally a military commander of Keno tom Broke. As such he defeated Sicka Sjaerda at Noordhorn in 1417, and conquered Dokkum in 1418. After the reconquest of Dokkum by the Schieringers, he disembarked at Hindeloopen and defeated the Schieringers at the Palesloot.

He took Stavoren and besieged Sloten, but was forced to withdraw by the troops of John III, Duke of Bavaria, Count of Holland. Ukena was the first to sign the Peace of Groningen on 1 february 1422, which was aimed against all foreign lords. Next he battled with the Hansa against the Likedelers, and expelled them from Ezumazijl and Dokkum. Afterwards he turned against tom Broke and was primarily active in East-Frisia.

He did not manage to withstand tom Broke, and eventually retreated to the borg Dijkhuizen at Appingedam, which was property of his second wife, Hiddeke Ripperda. He died there in 1435. His resistance eventually prevent tom Broken from taken the much-wanted county of East-Frisia.