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Updated: May 20, 2025
Origin of Holland Its first Count Aggrandizement of Flanders Its growing Commerce Fisheries Manufactures Formation of the County of Guelders, and of Brabant State of Friesland State of the Provinces The Crusades Their good Effects on the State of the Netherlands Decline of the Feudal Power, and Growth of the Influence of the Towns Great Prosperity of the Country The Flemings take up Arms against the French Drive them out of Bruges, and defeat them in the Battle of Courtrai Popular Success in Brabant Its Confederation with Flanders Rebellion of Bruges against the Count, and of Ghent under James d' Artaveldt His Alliance with England His Power, and Death Independence of Flanders Battle of Roosbeke Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, obtains the Sovereignty of Flanders.
The tyranny of the count, and the French party which supported him, became so intolerable to Artaveldt, that he resolved to assail them at all hazards, unappalled by the fate of his father-in-law, Sohier de Courtrai, who lost his head for a similar attempt, and notwithstanding the hitherto devoted fidelity of his native city to the count. One only object seemed insurmountable.
One of the principal motives which cemented the attachment of the Flemings to Artaveldt was the advantage obtained through his influence with Edward for facilitating the trade with England, whence they procured the chief supply of wool for their manufactories. Edward promised them seventy thousand sacks as the reward of their alliance.
Ghent, which long resisted his attempts, was at length reduced by famine; and the count projected the ruin, or at least the total subjection, of this turbulent town. A son of Artaveldt started forth at this juncture, when the popular cause seemed lost, and joining with his fellow-citizens, John Lyons and Peter du Bois, he led seven thousand resolute burghers against forty thousand feudal vassals.
The Flemings had sworn allegiance to the crown of France; and they revolted at the idea of perjury, even from an extorted oath. But to overcome their scruples, Artaveldt proposed to acknowledge the claim of Edward III. of England to the French crown.
A truce between the two kings did not deprive Artaveldt of his well-earned authority. He was invested with the title of ruward, or conservator of the peace, of Flanders, and governed the whole province with almost sovereign sway.
Though defeated in four successive combats, in the latter of which, that of Roosbeke, Artaveldt was killed, the Flemings would not submit to their imperious count, who used every persuasion with Charles to continue his assistance for the punishment of these refractory subjects.
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