Benschop

Benschop is a village and former municipality that, since the municipal reorganization in 1989, has been part of the municipality of Lopik, in the southwest of the Dutch province of Utrecht. The place is located in the polder Lopikerwaard. Benschop consists of an old and a new core, and a ribbon development of mainly farms along a straight road. Benschop has 3,620 inhabitants and covers an area of 15 km².

The area around Benschop was cultivated starting in the early 12th century. The lands were owned by the bishop of Utrecht, who granted concessions for the cultivation of the Lopikerwaard, among others to Benno of Aemstel. These lands, which were issued for cultivation, were referred to as copen in Utrecht and South Holland. For example, compare Hontscoop and Tevecoop in Gouda and the places Boskoop, Nieuwkoop, and Willeskop. The name Benschop literally means the cultivated land of Benno. In 1571, the village was heavily affected by a flood. Completely enclosed by dikes, the municipality forms an isolated polder, which has been built along the Benschopse Wetering. In 1822, the village had 1,219 inhabitants; in 1840, there were 1,415; and in 1870, there were 1,581, of whom 911 belonged to the Dutch Reformed Church, 660 to the Roman Catholic Church, and 10 to the Christian Reformed Church. In earlier centuries, several other religious communities also emerged.

Benschop has a clear village center. This is evident from the square in front of the Reformed Church, which is surrounded by buildings on three sides with an old water pump in the middle. This square was formerly known as ‘the Playground’. The square was probably used as a shooting field or tournament field. The latter would suggest that knights or lords stayed near the tournament field. Benschop long formed part of the Barony of IJsselstein and was incorporated into the province of Utrecht along with it in 1814. The main sources of livelihood were agriculture, livestock farming, and dairy production. Dozens of farms have been recognized as national monuments.

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