Oudenaarde
Encyclopedia
Oudenaarde is a Belgian
municipality in the Flemish
province
of East Flanders
. The municipality comprises the city of Oudenaarde proper and the towns of Bevere, Edelare, Eine, Ename, Heurne
, Leupegem, Mater, Melden
, Mullem, Nederename, Welden, Volkegem and a part of Ooike.
From the 15th to the 18th century, but especially in the 16th century, Oudenaarde was a world-known centre of tapestry
production. The town's name, meaning “old field”, still lingers on in “outnal”, an obsolete English
term for a kind of brown linen thread. Today, Oudenaarde is known as the pearl of the Flemish Ardennes
.
and King of Germany, built one of its three fortifications on the Scheldt
at Ename to protect his kingdom against possible attacks from Francia (the other two frontier posts were at Valenciennes
and Antwerp). Ename grew very fast. By 1005, the town already had a couple of churches and had become the largest town in the duchy of Lotharingia
. In 1033, Baldwin IV, Count of Flanders
took the city as a frontier post against emperor Henry III
. In 1047, Baldwin V
consolidated his father’s victory by having his wife found a Benedictine
abbey there. By that time, the former merchants and guild artisans of Ename had fled across the Scheldt to the recently founded city of Oudenaarde.
, defending them against insurrections from the South, and even from Ghent
. The city became known as the residence of the nobles. It built itself a flagship town hall
(built 1526–1537), which we can still admire today, and the St-Walpurga church. Charles V
stayed here for a couple of months in 1522 and fathered an illegitimate daughter, Margaret of Parma
, who was to become Regent of the Netherlands.
, the people of Oudenaarde chose Protestantism
and allied themselves with Ghent against Charles V
. In 1582, after a prolonged siege by Margaret's son, Alexander Farnese
, the city finally gave in, causing most merchants, workers, and even nobles to flee. Oudenaarde fell under the Counter-Reformation
, which revived for a short while the commerce of tapestry. The glory days, however, never came back. The French attacked and took the city three times in less than a century. In 1708, one of the key battles in the War of the Spanish Succession
, known as the Battle of Oudenaarde, was fought in the vicinity of the city. Oudenaarde slumbered as a provincial town under the Habsburg regime.
Like its neighbours, in the 1790s it suffered the religious curtailments imposed by the French Revolution
. The city suffered damages during World War I
, which is commemorated by several monuments scattered around town.
, Netherlands Buzău
, Romania Castel Madama
, Italy Coburg
, Germany Hastings
, United Kingdom
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
municipality in the Flemish
Flemish Region
The Flemish Region is one of the three official regions of the Kingdom of Belgium—alongside the Walloon Region and the Brussels-Capital Region. Colloquially, it is usually simply referred to as Flanders, of which it is the institutional iteration within the context of the Belgian political system...
province
Provinces of Belgium
Belgium is divided into three regions, two of them are subdivided into five provinces each.The division into provinces is fixed by Article 5 of the Belgian Constitution...
of East Flanders
East Flanders
East Flanders is a province of Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. It borders on the Netherlands and in Belgium on the provinces of Antwerp, Flemish Brabant , of Hainaut and of West Flanders...
. The municipality comprises the city of Oudenaarde proper and the towns of Bevere, Edelare, Eine, Ename, Heurne
Heurne
Heurne is a neighbourhood in the municipality of Aalten, near Aalten in the eastern Netherlands with a population of around 500 inhabitants....
, Leupegem, Mater, Melden
Melden
Melden is a village belonging partly to the municipality of Oudenaarde and partly to the municipality of Kluisbergen. It is located in the Flemish Ardennes, the hilly southern part of the province of East Flanders, Belgium.- External links :* *...
, Mullem, Nederename, Welden, Volkegem and a part of Ooike.
From the 15th to the 18th century, but especially in the 16th century, Oudenaarde was a world-known centre of tapestry
Tapestry
Tapestry is a form of textile art, traditionally woven on a vertical loom, however it can also be woven on a floor loom as well. It is composed of two sets of interlaced threads, those running parallel to the length and those parallel to the width ; the warp threads are set up under tension on a...
production. The town's name, meaning “old field”, still lingers on in “outnal”, an obsolete English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
term for a kind of brown linen thread. Today, Oudenaarde is known as the pearl of the Flemish Ardennes
Flemish Ardennes
The Flemish Ardennes is an informal name given to a hilly region in the south of the province of East Flanders, Belgium.The area is distinct from the Ardennes, which is situated further to the south in Wallonia, France and Luxembourg....
.
The glory of Ename
The history of the current municipality of Oudenaarde starts in 974, when Otto II, Holy Roman EmperorOtto II, Holy Roman Emperor
Otto II , called the Red, was the third ruler of the Saxon or Ottonian dynasty, the son of Otto the Great and Adelaide of Italy.-Early years and co-ruler with Otto I:...
and King of Germany, built one of its three fortifications on the Scheldt
Scheldt
The Scheldt is a 350 km long river in northern France, western Belgium and the southwestern part of the Netherlands...
at Ename to protect his kingdom against possible attacks from Francia (the other two frontier posts were at Valenciennes
Valenciennes
Valenciennes is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.It lies on the Scheldt river. Although the city and region had seen a steady decline between 1975 and 1990, it has since rebounded...
and Antwerp). Ename grew very fast. By 1005, the town already had a couple of churches and had become the largest town in the duchy of Lotharingia
Lotharingia
Lotharingia was a region in northwest Europe, comprising the Low Countries, the western Rhineland, the lands today on the border between France and Germany, and what is now western Switzerland. It was born of the tripartite division in 855, of the kingdom of Middle Francia, itself formed of the...
. In 1033, Baldwin IV, Count of Flanders
Baldwin IV, Count of Flanders
Baldwin IV of Flanders , known as the Bearded, was Count of Flanders from 988 until his death. He was the son of Arnulf II, Count of Flanders...
took the city as a frontier post against emperor Henry III
Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor
Henry III , called the Black or the Pious, was a member of the Salian Dynasty of Holy Roman Emperors...
. In 1047, Baldwin V
Baldwin V, Count of Flanders
Baldwin V of Flanders was Count of Flanders from 1035 until his death.He was the son of Baldwin IV, Count of Flanders, who died in 1035.-History:...
consolidated his father’s victory by having his wife found a Benedictine
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
abbey there. By that time, the former merchants and guild artisans of Ename had fled across the Scheldt to the recently founded city of Oudenaarde.
Oudenaarde’s golden age
In the 11th century, Oudenaarde’s economy flourished, thanks to the proximity of the Scheldt and to the burgeoning, but vibrant cloth and tapestry industry. Churches, cloisters and hospitals were built. Throughout the Middle Ages, the city was one of the staunchest supporters of the Counts of FlandersCount of Flanders
The Count of Flanders was the ruler or sub-ruler of the county of Flanders from the 9th century until the abolition of the position by the French revolutionaries in 1790....
, defending them against insurrections from the South, and even from Ghent
Ghent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
. The city became known as the residence of the nobles. It built itself a flagship town hall
Oudenaarde Town Hall
The Town Hall of Oudenaarde, Belgium was built by architect Hendrik van Pede in 1526-1537 to replace the medieval Schepenhuis that occupied the same site...
(built 1526–1537), which we can still admire today, and the St-Walpurga church. Charles V
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V was ruler of the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 and, as Charles I, of the Spanish Empire from 1516 until his voluntary retirement and abdication in favor of his younger brother Ferdinand I and his son Philip II in 1556.As...
stayed here for a couple of months in 1522 and fathered an illegitimate daughter, Margaret of Parma
Margaret of Parma
Margaret, Duchess of Parma , Governor of the Netherlands from 1559 to 1567 and from 1578 to 1582, was the illegitimate daughter of Charles V and Johanna Maria van der Gheynst...
, who was to become Regent of the Netherlands.
Decline
During the ReformationProtestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
, the people of Oudenaarde chose Protestantism
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
and allied themselves with Ghent against Charles V
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V was ruler of the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 and, as Charles I, of the Spanish Empire from 1516 until his voluntary retirement and abdication in favor of his younger brother Ferdinand I and his son Philip II in 1556.As...
. In 1582, after a prolonged siege by Margaret's son, Alexander Farnese
Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma
Alexander Farnese was Duke of Parma and Piacenza from 1586 to 1592, and Governor of the Spanish Netherlands from 1578 to 1592.-Biography:...
, the city finally gave in, causing most merchants, workers, and even nobles to flee. Oudenaarde fell under the Counter-Reformation
Counter-Reformation
The Counter-Reformation was the period of Catholic revival beginning with the Council of Trent and ending at the close of the Thirty Years' War, 1648 as a response to the Protestant Reformation.The Counter-Reformation was a comprehensive effort, composed of four major elements:#Ecclesiastical or...
, which revived for a short while the commerce of tapestry. The glory days, however, never came back. The French attacked and took the city three times in less than a century. In 1708, one of the key battles in the War of the Spanish Succession
War of the Spanish Succession
The War of the Spanish Succession was fought among several European powers, including a divided Spain, over the possible unification of the Kingdoms of Spain and France under one Bourbon monarch. As France and Spain were among the most powerful states of Europe, such a unification would have...
, known as the Battle of Oudenaarde, was fought in the vicinity of the city. Oudenaarde slumbered as a provincial town under the Habsburg regime.
Like its neighbours, in the 1790s it suffered the religious curtailments imposed by the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
. The city suffered damages during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, which is commemorated by several monuments scattered around town.
Sights
- The FlamboyantFlamboyantFlamboyant is the name given to a florid style of late Gothic architecture in vogue in France from the 14th to the early 16th century, a version of which spread to Spain and Portugal during the 15th century; the equivalent stylistic period in English architecture is called the Decorated Style, and...
GothicGothic architectureGothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
-style Town HallOudenaarde Town HallThe Town Hall of Oudenaarde, Belgium was built by architect Hendrik van Pede in 1526-1537 to replace the medieval Schepenhuis that occupied the same site...
and its BelfryBelfries of Belgium and FranceThe Belfries of Belgium and France is a group of 56 historical buildings designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Site, in recognition of an architectural manifestation of emerging civic independence in historic Flanders and neighbouring regions from feudal and religious influences, leading to a...
were designated by UNESCOUNESCOThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
as a World Heritage SiteWorld Heritage SiteA UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
in 1999. The city hall houses a unique collection of Oudenaarde tapestries. - The Church of Our Lady of Pamele, begun in 1234 on the banks of the Scheldt, and the Church of St Walburga near the market square, are both worth a visit.
- Oudenaarde is also home to the Centrum Ronde van Vlaanderen, a museum dedicated to the Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders) cycle race.
- Since 2008, the village of Mater in Oudenaarde has been the home of the Smisje Brewery, before located in BrugesBrugesBruges is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is located in the northwest of the country....
, the smallest craft brewery in Belgium.
Events
- Recurring events include a beer fest in June, an open-air musical festival in the summer, and an agricultural fair in February. The celebrated Ronde van Vlaanderen voor VrouwenTour of Flanders for WomenTour of Flanders for Women is a road bicycle racing event held in Flanders, Belgium. It is held every spring, in conjunction with the men's event Tour of Flanders and is part of the UCI Women's Road World Cup.-Past winners:...
, the women's Tour of Flanders cycle race, starts every spring in Oudenaarde. The men's Ronde van Vlaanderen has passed through Oudenaarde on several occasions, and regularly ascends the KoppenbergKoppenbergKoppenberg is a high hill in Oudenaarde, the Flemish Ardennes, Belgium...
hill in the municipality. - Every ten years, one of Flander’s largest floral displays takes place on the market square (Grote Markt). The last one took place in 2005.
Famous inhabitants
- Arnold of SoissonsArnold of SoissonsArnold of Soissons or Arnold or Arnulf of Oudenburg is a saint of the Roman Catholic Church, the patron saint of hop-pickers and Belgian brewers....
, saint (1040-1087) - Margaret of ParmaMargaret of ParmaMargaret, Duchess of Parma , Governor of the Netherlands from 1559 to 1567 and from 1578 to 1582, was the illegitimate daughter of Charles V and Johanna Maria van der Gheynst...
, daughter of Charles VCharles V, Holy Roman EmperorCharles V was ruler of the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 and, as Charles I, of the Spanish Empire from 1516 until his voluntary retirement and abdication in favor of his younger brother Ferdinand I and his son Philip II in 1556.As...
and Regent of the NetherlandsGovernors of the Habsburg NetherlandsThe Governor of the Habsburg Netherlands ruled the Habsburg Netherlands as a representative of the Duke of Burgundy .- Habsburg Netherlands :...
(1522-1586) - Johannes van den DriescheJohannes van den DriescheJohannes van den Driesche [or Drusius] was a Flemish Protestant divine, distinguished specially as an Orientalist, Christian Hebraist and exegete.-Life:He was born at Oudenarde, in Flanders...
, orientalist and exegete (1550-1616) - Charles LiedtsCharles LiedtsCharles A. Liedts was a Belgian liberal politician. He was President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives from 17 November 1843 until 20 May 1848.-Source:*...
, politician (1802-1878) - Gentil Theodoor AntheunisGentil Theodoor AntheunisGentil Theodoor Antheunis was a Flemish poet. He was the son-in-law of Hendrik Conscience, whose only daughter Maria he married in 1870. He was born in Oudenaarde....
, poet, (1840-1907) - Reimond StijnsReimond StijnsReimond Stijns was a Belgian writer.He started his professional career as a teacher in 1870, first in Bevere , and afterwards back in Sint-Jans-Molenbeek. In 1883, he became study master, later teacher Dutch at the Koninklijk athenaeum in Brussels...
, writer (1850-1905) - Adriaen BrouwerAdriaen BrouwerAdriaen Brouwer was a Flemish genre painter active in Flanders and the Dutch Republic in the seventeenth century.-Biography:...
, painter (1605-1638) - André DierickxAndré DierickxAndré Dierickx was a Belgian professional road racing cyclist between 1969 and 1981.- Notable results :1970 – Flandria-Mars...
, road racing cyclist (b. 1946) - Jotie T'HooftJotie T'HooftJohan Geeraard Adriaan T'Hooft was a Flemish Belgian neo-romantic poet.His life and death by overdose were made into a movie, the English title Junkie's Sorrow.-Life:Jotie T'Hooft was born in Oudenaarde, Belgium...
, poet (1956-1977)
Twin cities
Arras, France Bergen op ZoomBergen op Zoom
Bergen op Zoom is a municipality and a city located in the south of the Netherlands.-History:Bergen op Zoom was granted city status probably in 1266. In 1287 the city and its surroundings became a lordship as it was separated from the lordship of Breda. The lordship was elevated to a margraviate...
, Netherlands Buzău
Buzau
The city of Buzău is the county seat of Buzău County, Romania, in the historical region of Wallachia. It lies near the right bank of the Buzău River, between the south-eastern curvature of the Carpathian Mountains and the lowlands of Bărăgan Plain.The city's name dates back to 376 AD when the name...
, Romania Castel Madama
Castel Madama
Castel Madama is a comune in the Province of Rome in the Italian region Lazio, located about 30 km east of Rome.-External links:* *...
, Italy Coburg
Coburg
Coburg is a town located on the Itz River in Bavaria, Germany. Its 2005 population was 42,015. Long one of the Thuringian states of the Wettin line, it joined with Bavaria by popular vote in 1920...
, Germany Hastings
Hastings
Hastings is a town and borough in the county of East Sussex on the south coast of England. The town is located east of the county town of Lewes and south east of London, and has an estimated population of 86,900....
, United Kingdom
External links
- Official English website
- Nieuws in Oudenaarde - Only available in DutchDutch languageDutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
- Ename - available in English
- Centrum Ronde van Vlaanderen - available in English
- Relief map of Oudenaarde and its fortifications in the 17th century