Friesen an der südlichen Nordsee im Frühmittelalter

In the 7th century AD, Frisians migrated eastward across the Ems River to East Frisia and subsequently, in the 8th century, to what is now North Frisia. They established Wurt settlements on the coastal, elevated earthen mounds previously abandoned by the Chauci, but also created new Wurten in lower-lying areas. The economic foundation of the Frisians was agriculture. Cattle, sheep, and also plant-based food sources such as barley, oilseeds, and beans were used for self-sufficiency. Fish, snails, and shellfish supplemented their diet. Despite political conflicts with the Franks and Danes, as well as the powerful forces of nature, the Frisians remained in their new settlement area. They engaged in farming and were significant shipbuilders, sailors, and traders.