The oldest document
The oldest archive document in Zoetermeer dates from 1504. It is a book in which the village administrators account for their financial management.
Hendrik Jacobszoon, the sexton, has created this book and writes that it belongs to the craft (village) Zegwaart. The craft keepers Joost Claeszoon and Cornelis Goesenzoon, a kind of aldermen, are accountable to the bailiff Aernt Claeszoon Hoflant. Also present is Claes Peter Meynertzoon who will succeed Joost.
Morning money
The book records the village's finances. Among other things, the morgengeld was settled, a water board tax that was levied per morgen (approximately one hectare). The 'bede van mijn gradige heer', or the tax of the Count of Holland, is also recorded in the book.
First page
The first page reads as follows:
Item this book will be published in the year our Gentlemen do one script XVc and the iiii on Sinte Odulphusdach, with Henric Jacopssoen who coster and whores in that round of Zegwaert.
Item Joost Claesz and Cornelis Goessenz as bailiffs of Zegwaert have calculated on the aforementioned day against the scout of Zegwaert Aernt Hoflant Claesz with the heemraet of Zegwaert and Claes Peter Meynertz. took over the service of Joost Claesz of marrow fishing and my gracious lords bee and all other charges.