Cornelis van Rijswijk (*1517)
We first encounter Jonker Cornelis van Rijswijk in 1554. On May 21 of that year he was sworn in as new kastelein and schout in Medemblik.
Spanish-minded Medemblik
Medemblik and its kastelein remained Spanish-minded for a long time. This is probably due to the fire of 1555. A large part of the town, including the church, was destroyed and King Philip II reduced the Medemblickers' contribution to his treasury by 2/3 for the next 10 years, leaving money to rebuild the church. This is probably also the reason why the Iconoclasm of 1566 passed Medemblik by.
In 1568 we encounter Van Rijswijk again. By order of Alva, he goes to Hoorn, to round up heretics, but by the time he gets there, they have fled.
The Siege of Medemblik
In 1572 Van Rijswijk is an old hand at the job, having been the castle's guardian for almost 20 years. He has a good working relationship with the Spaniards and the support of the population. When Enkhuizen declares itself in favor of the House of Orange, Van Rijswijk has no intention of following suit. He therefore keeps the city gate closed when Diederik van Sonoy, Nicolaas Ruychaver and Jacob Cabeliau report to convince Medemblik to side with Orange. Van Rijswijk is confident of preserving the city and its castle from Philip II.
Devil's dilemma
Van Rijswijk did not take Cabeliau's determination into account. Under his leadership, the Beggars still enter the city; the garrison flees before them to the castle. Van Rijswijk is still not worried, the castle has been besieged more often. But he is faced with a diabolical dilemma...
Sources: Westfries Archief / Dwangburchten.nl / Nationaal Archief
