In order to stop the land loss caused by the Zuiderzee, farmers started around 1200 with the building of the Waterlandse Zeedijk. On this dike the village Schellingwoude was founded. Sources of income were farming and fishing. During the 14th century trade was coming on and became more important in the 16th century, because of the developing of the shipping in this part of Holland. But the competition with Amsterdam was enormous, so the shipping activities got less. In those days Schellingwoude was a village of distinction. For the surrounding villages the administration of justice took place in Schellingwoude.