Erfgoed Delft

Geert Grote is said to have also visited Delft. He inspired Jacob Jan, a secular warden of the Old Church. Around 1380 Jacob led a group of women wanting to live in communal poverty and devotion. Together with Jan Casus, he bought a house on the road called Geerweg, where the women could live, under the supervision of Mother Lodewijk Jansdochter from Flanders. Because the number of women grew quickly a new house was bought known as the 'Heilige Huis' or Sacred House. It was difficult for Jacob Jan to visit the sisters' house everyday. He therefore wanted to buy a house closer to the Old Church. But first he left for Rome on a pilgrimage in the Holy Year of 1390 (an especially good year for penance). Before Jacob died on the return journey, he delegated the responsibility of the sisters to his cousin and travel companion Martijn Gijsbrechtszoon.