Uko Fockena facts for kids

Uko Fockena was an important leader, called a chieftain, in a region of Germany called East Frisia. He was also known as "Uko of Oldersum". He was born around 1408 and passed away on June 13, 1432. He led the areas of Moormerland and Emsigerland.

Uko Fockena: A Young Chieftain's Story

Uko Fockena was the son of another powerful East Frisian chieftain named Focko Ukena. His mother was Theda of Rheide.

Early Life and Property

In 1424, Uko bought a farm called tor Brake in the Emsland region. He bought it with Udo Poppinga from a squire named Ecerd von der Bele. Uko's brother-in-law, Ocko II tom Brok, who was a chief from Brokmerland, wrote a letter. In this letter, he asked for Uko to officially own the farm. He also confirmed that Uko was a free and honest person.

Uko's Marriage and Family

Between 1425 and 1427, Uko married Hebe (or Heba) of Dornum. She was the daughter of Lütet Attena of Dornum and Nesse. Hebe's mother was Ocka tom Brok, a daughter of Ocko I tom Brok.

Uko and Hebe had a daughter named Theda Ukena. She was born before 1432. Later, in 1455, Theda married Ulrich I Cirksena. Ulrich became the first Count of East Frisia in 1464.

Conflict with the tom Brok Family

In 1424, Uko and his father, Focko, had a disagreement with the tom Brok family. The tom Brok family were also powerful chieftains. They had given the village and castle of Oldersum to Focko in 1413.

Ocko II tom Brok demanded that Focko return the castle. Ocko won a court case in the city of Groningen on June 6, 1426. However, Focko did not accept this decision. He then defeated Ocko in two battles: the Battle of Detern on September 27, 1426, and the Battle of the Wild Fields on October 28, 1427. Because of these victories, Focko Ukena became a champion of Frisian freedom.

Uko's Control of Oldersum

After these battles, Uko Fockena gained control of the Lordship of Oldersum. This area included the parishes of Gandersum, Rorichum, Tergast, and Simonswolde. In 1428, Uko Fockena called himself the chieftain at Oldersum.

The Oldersumer Chronik (a historical record) says that Uko made the castle at Oldersum stronger. He used 80,000 stones that he got from taking apart Focken Castle in Borssum.

The Siege of Oldersum Castle

In 1430, other Frisian chieftains joined forces against Uko. They were led by the Cirksena family. They did not like Ukena's power. This group surrounded Uko in his Oldersum castle.

On November 2, 1430, Uko agreed to give up his claim to the area in a treaty with the attackers. However, he was still allowed to live in the castle. This was because his wife had a legal right to be there, as she was the granddaughter of Ocko I tom Brok. Uko lived in the castle until he passed away in 1432.

Uko's Final Journey

Uko's father, Focko, had to leave his own castle at Leer and fled to Münster. Focko had not given up the fight for power. He asked his son Uko to meet him and his ally Imel Allena in Groothusen.

On his way to this meeting, Uko was attacked and killed. This happened in a reedy area between Marienwehr and Suurhusen. He was buried in the church of the Franciscan monastery in Emden. His daughter, Theda Ukena, later ordered a special tombstone for his grave. The church and monastery were destroyed by a fire in 1938.