Malieveld
Malieveld
Accessible to the public
The Malieveld was the playground of the rich. The name ‘malie’ is derived from the French ‘jeu de mail’ (called ‘mallet game’ in English) which was similar to the older game of colf and a precursor to croquet. It was a favorite pastime of the well-to-do. This large field, conveniently located right next to their posh neighborhood, was the ideal place to escape the bustle of the city and get a breath of fresh air. At the same time, the open space was an unintended reminder of the Dutch uprising against the Spanish. Until the outbreak of the Eighty Years’ War (1568-1648), the Haagse Bos had extended up to the Voorhout. When The Hague had to suddenly erect defense works, it was decided to cut down this part of the forest to throw up earthen walls and build lumber reinforced redoubts. Unfortunately, the Spaniards outfoxed the Dutch and carried off the logs for their own use in the siege of Leyden. Rains washed away the fertile soil and in 1594, the remaining dune was excavated as the area was graded. In the 16th century, the local ‘maliebaan’, the course on which the game of malie was played, was almost as long as the one in London (the Mall).
Accessible to the public
The Malieveld was the playground of the rich. The name ‘malie’ is derived from the French ‘jeu de mail’ (called ‘mallet game’ in English) which was similar to the older game of colf and a precursor to croquet. It was a favorite pastime of the well-to-do. This large field, conveniently located right next to their posh neighborhood, was the ideal place to escape the bustle of the city and get a breath of fresh air. At the same time, the open space was an unintended reminder of the Dutch uprising against the Spanish. Until the outbreak of the Eighty Years’ War (1568-1648), the Haagse Bos had extended up to the Voorhout. When The Hague had to suddenly erect defense works, it was decided to cut down this part of the forest to throw up earthen walls and build lumber reinforced redoubts. Unfortunately, the Spaniards outfoxed the Dutch and carried off the logs for their own use in the siege of Leyden. Rains washed away the fertile soil and in 1594, the remaining dune was excavated as the area was graded. In the 16th century, the local ‘maliebaan’, the course on which the game of malie was played, was almost as long as the one in London (the Mall).
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