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Once upon a time, on the Lauwerszee coast, roughly in this area, not far from Ezumazijl, there was a thriving trading town - called Ezonstad. This town was mentioned in the same breath as two other wealthy Frisian towns: Stavoren and Dokkum. The city is said to have been built around 341 by the sixth duke of Friesland, one Odilbald. In his time, Igo Galama, an excellent warrior, ordered the coast to be well guarded against raids by the Normans, who were greatly feared. To no avail. In 808, Vikings plundered and burnt down Ezonstad almost entirely. With help from wealthy Stavoren, the town was soon rebuilt and could once again grow into a powerful city (according to writings from 958). However, in 1230, the city disappeared in its entirety, swallowed by the Lauwerszee, according to old chronicles, which record testimonies that remnants of the old city could be seen at low tide. A nice story, but archaeologists still disagree on whether it really happened, or rests on a myth. A few small houses still bear the name recalling this mythical past.