In the village of Beetgum, Friesland (the Netherlands) in 1888, a votive stone was found with the following inscription:

“To the goddess Hludana, the tenants of the fishery, when Quintus Valerius Secundus was head tenant, paid their due, willing and according to what they have earned.”

The name of Hludana appears also (sometimes in slightly different ways) on several stones in the Netherlands and Germany, indicating that this is probably no local goddess. Indeed, the remains of a sitting woman on the stone and the inscription – the Latin name and language, the connection with water, boats and trade – recall the votive stones of Nehalennia.

There’s also a trail to another goddess, based on etymological grounds: Hludana may be, or may be connected to, the Norse goddess Hlodyn, better known as Jord, the giantess mother of Thor.