Village, originated in the early Middle Ages on a natural elevation where mounds were raised.
In a three-lane road (Noord, Loet and Hoep) a settlement was formed, which received city rights in 1415. These rights were confirmed in 1427 by William of Bavaria, a bastard son of count Albrecht of Bavaria and founder of the Schager castle. Schagen received market rights in 1463, but this did not lead to urban development either. However, after the impoldering of the Zijpe and Hazepolder (1596-'97) and the Wieringerwaard (1610-'12), Schagen fulfilled a regional market function. At the end of the 17th century it experienced an economic boom and again after the construction of the Alkmaar-Den Helder railway line (1865) and the tram line to Alkmaar (1913). In 1935, the canal on the Loet and the Low Side was filled in (Gedempte Gracht). A first expansion between church and station was followed after the Second World War by major expansions on the north, west and south sides.
