9th century

Settlements arise: Lo (841), Veurne (860), Alveringem (857). The people from the Houtland move again towards the beach and the first bank is built as a kind of protection: it ran from the Groene Dijk via Wulpen, Booitshoeke, Avekapelle up to the IJzer at Knokkefort.

The IJzer moved its delta more to the south, because of a soil subsidence and bordered on the a.m. dune island, on which Nieuwpoort is supposed to be built later. In connection with this protected dune, we hear for the first time about "Zandhoofd" in the 9th century.

The misery with the sea was hardly forgotten or … "Lord save us from the rage of the Vikings!". According to a tradition they had landed already the first time in Isera Portos in 861. It's a fact that from 881 till 885 they plundered and massacred systematically and thoroughly the whole IJzer region. Remains of their victims can still be found under the ruins of the dune abbey and, according to the local curator, the direct ancestors of our people from the Westhoek are concerned.

Is it amazing that the people from the Westhoek, fishermen and others, who had to defend themselves during many generations against the sea and against every Tom, Dick and Harry, have become a dour and tough race?