A document referring to Hattem is found is dated around 800. This document is the
Codex Laureshamensis, in which the settlement Hattem is mentioned because two farmhouses in this place are donated to the Lorsch abbey.
Established as parish Despite this early statement, no church or chapel was built in Hattem. In 1176 Hattem became a parish ('kerspel'). The chapel, measuring 17.5 by 9.5 meters, was not built at the current city centre, but at the Gaedsberg ('Gods-mountain'). The borders of the parish coincide with the latter borders of the jurisdiction Hattem. Hattem obtained
city rights in 1299 from the landgrave Reinoud I van Gelre. In the decades before a fortified town is founded at the northern border of the Veluwe. The city plan lies around the current church. The tower of this church is dated to the 12th century which indicates that, beside the parish church at the Gaedsberg, a chapel was present at the current city centre of Hattem. With obtaining town privileges, both the religious and the legal centre were moved. The new church and the city are dedicated to the apostle Andreas. Hattem was a member of the
Hanseatic League, one of nine Dutch cities. It joined shortly after 1294 and presumably played a very minor role. The last mention of connection to the Hansa was in 1615.
Later history In 1401, duke
William of Guelders donated the Hoenwaard to the citizens of Hattem, in order to feed their cattle and to manufacture bricks for their houses. In 1404 the castle St. Lucia was built, which became known as the "Dikke Tinne" (the fat merlon). The reason can be found in the thick castle walls, at that time the thickest walls found in the Netherlands. In 1778, the castle was torn down in order to use the bricks to build houses. In 1786, both Hattem and Elburg became known as centres of the
Patriottentijd, a political faction. These movements, however, were successfully suppressed by stadtholder
William V. ==Other information==