Koppelstraat is a street in Bredevoort’s historic centre. It begins as a side street off Landstraat and continues all the way to Winterswijksestraat, where the Schaarsbeek flows.
Koppelstraat once ended near the site now occupied by St George’s Church, against the town wall. A large round defensive work stood near the present church entrance. Here the street branched into “Achterstraat” (today’s Kerkstraat), Officierstraat and ‘t Walletje. After Bredevoort’s fortifications were dismantled, Koppelstraat was extended. The section between St George’s Church and Tolhuisweg was formerly called Koppeldijk. It is tempting to think that the street’s outward “connection” explains the name, but this is not the case. The name derives from the field name De Koppele, a common grazing ground in the Zwanenbroek. The Koppelkerk is named after it as well.
Koppelstraat was formerly known as Geweldigerstraat. It was named after Jan Boussemans, who lived on the street in the early 17th century and served as a military provost (geweldiger). The name Geweldigerstraat first appears in deeds dated 27 August 1660. On that date, Anneken Adams, wife of Coort Berentjes, a corporal in Captain Ploos’s company, sold one-third of their house on Geweldigerstraat to Claes Stick and Marie Schaers. Before 1660, the street was known as the “Oude Gracht” or Olde Grafte.