Revolt of Ghent (1449-1453)
Encyclopedia
The revolt of Ghent
was a rebellion of the city of Ghent
against the Burgundian Duke
, Philip the Good and his officials. It lasted from 1449 to 1453. The rebellion was eventually suppressed by the Burgundians.
(1302), the guild
s demanded and received the so called small nering, participation in the rule of the Flemish
cities, something which was not an uncommon result in the wars and battles involving the low countries
. In Ghent, a relative equilibrium was achieved between 1360 and 1380, where the schepen
en formed a coalition called the Great council of Ghent. The council had three members; one was chosen by the poorter
s (A type of citizenship), one was chosen by the influential guild of weavers (Flanders had become rich because of its cloth production), and one was chosen by the smaller guilds . This trio was called the Rule of the three Council members.
From ca. 1430, Philip the Good strove for a return of the situation before the Guldensporenslag; the influence of the guilds, especially those with arch-deacons (in the Low countries, Deacon was also used to denote the leaders of guilds), was in conflict with the Charter of Senlis (1301) according to Philip. The Ghent city government based its defense against Philip's claims on customs
and old privilege
s from the 12th and 13th century, before the Charter of Senlis had been signed. To enforce his attempts at gaining control over the appointment of city officials, Philip the Good also searched for a reliable source of income. This he found in the rich Flemish cities, where he raised indirect tax
es. Until then he had been forced to rely on requests for individual taxes (called beden), which could be refused by the city government.
During his visit to Ghent in January 1447, Philip proposed a semi-permanent tax on salt
, after the French
example of the gabelle
. Later he proposed a similar tax on flour
, which would be collected by duchal officials. Salt at that time was very important, as it was the only way to preserve food for longer periods of time. Philip had prepared a speech in Dutch
, the main language of the Council, and the deacon
s of some of the guilds were consulted or bribed. The city government of Ghent refused to give in, however. After two years of negotiation, the taxes were rejected. Wanting to avoid further humiliation, Philip decided not to propose the taxes to other large Flemish cities. Philip accused the deacons of perjury
, and removed them from the Council. In reaction, Ghent proposed to replace them with outspoken opponents of the Duke. Philip increased the pressure with measures such as recalling the bailiff
twice, bringing all judicial procedures in the city to a halt. The conflict escalated, and on 28 October 1451, the guilds proclaimed a general strike, and took up weapons. In December Biervliet
was taken. In Ghent a revolutionary rule of an assembly of the people was formed. Opponents of the revolt, who probably realised that the city could not win, were killed. This way Ghent lost the support of the governments of the other cities, who saw their own power threatened. Only Ninove
kept supporting Ghent, because it was economically dependent on Ghent.
river to Oudenaarde
, Spiere
and Helkijn, and along the Dender
to Aalst
and Geraardsbergen
. Several strategic locations were taken and occupied by Ghent, amongst which a bridge of the Scheldt at Spiere, and the castles of:
At the siege of Oudenaarde, which lasted 12 to 13 days, one of the largest artillery-bombardments that Europe had seen so far took place, but the city, under the leadership of Simon de Lalaing
, was able to withstand the siege. Geraardsbergen, where the Burgundian main force was located, also withstood a siege. The Burgundian main force was even able to unite with an army led by John of Burgundy
, that marched from Seclin
to relieve the sieges of Spiere and Helkijn on Friday 21 April, and relieved the siege of Oudenaarde on Monday 24 April. The forces of Ghent were forced to retreat, leaving behind their artillery on the banks of the Scheldt river. From 1 to 15 May Ghent was bombarded by the Burgundians, who eventually pulled back to Aalst, Dendermonde
and Oudenaarde. During the constant skirmishes, Philip's favorite illegitimate son, Corneille of Burgundy. was killed at the Battle of Bazel on 14 June 1452.
In July the Burgundians took the upper hand; They had amongst others take control of the land east of Ghent, and secured the neutrality of the other cities. King Charles VII
of France
negotiated a six week truce between the two parties. Philip the Good strengthened his garrisons at Aalst, Dendermonde, Oudenaarde and Courtrai
, after which his army pulled back to France for the winter. During the entire winter the garrisons, as well as the whole Flemish region was pillaged and plundered by troops from Ghent without intervention from Philip the Good. Ghent troops were nearly able to blow up the entire Burgundian wintersupply of gunpowder
in Lille
, but an observant guard extinguished the fuse in time. Philip attempted to negotiate a peace, because Ghent as a rich city was very valuable to him, but Ghent refused any further negotiations. Halfway through 1453 Philip decided to make a decisive military campaign, that started on 18 June 1453. While a fleet moved up the Scheldt
river from Sluis
and Antwerp, Philip himself travelled from Lille in order to take the smaller Ghent possessions before marching on Ghent itself. On 27 June 1453 Schendelbeke was taken after two days of heavy artillery bombardment. After that the Poeke Castle was reduced to rubble from 2 to 5 July, though a prominent Knight of the Golden Fleece, Jacques de Lalaing
, was killed by opposing fire. After every victory, all Ghent troops were hanged and strangled; In Schendelbeke 104 were killed. Finally, on 18 July Burgundian troops reached the Gavere castle, the last bastion before the city of Ghent. At this castle the decisive battle was fought.
After an artillery bombardment lasting five days, the English captain, John Fox
, and his mercenaries escaped from the castle. They were wearing Burgundian Crosses (confused with Saint Andrew's Cross by some) and knew the poorly chosen Burgundian password: Burgundy. They reached Ghent on Monday 23 July around 5 a'clock in the morning. In the resulting panic in the city, a group of 25.000 men 'volunteered' (under threat of being hanged) to relieve the Gavere castle. The Burgundians, however, were well prepared for such an attempt. They had chosen the fields
between Semmerzake and Gavere as battlefield, where most troops had hidden themselves in the wooded valley of the Leebeek. When, at the first confrontation, the Ghent troops witnessed John Fox and his mercenaries defect to the Burgundian side, they realised they had been betrayed. Philip ordered an artillery barrage, and the Ghent army answered in kind. However, at this critical moment a Ghent cannoneer accidentally dropped his lighted match in a gunpowder barrel, upon which everyone nearby ran away. The Ghent army panicked at seeing so many people flee, after which the Ghent militia was destroyed in the Battle of Gavere
(1453); 16.000 to 20.000 people died. Only the desperate resistance of 1.000 militia prevented Philip the Good from marching straight to Ghent; One soldier even wounded the Duke, who had personally entered the fighting at the end.
When the remains of the fleeing army of Ghent reached the city, the city decided to surrender without any further resistance, an outcome that pleased Philip. The for Ghent humiliating Peace of Gavere ended the revolt of Ghent. The peace was also a definitive step towards the centralisation of the Burgundian
control, at the cost of the power of the cities. Philip the Good's summer campaign had also reïnforced the establishment of modern gunpowder artillery as a decisive factor in battles.
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...
was a rebellion of the city of 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...
against the Burgundian Duke
Duke of Burgundy
Duke of Burgundy was a title borne by the rulers of the Duchy of Burgundy, a small portion of traditional lands of Burgundians west of river Saône which in 843 was allotted to Charles the Bald's kingdom of West Franks...
, Philip the Good and his officials. It lasted from 1449 to 1453. The rebellion was eventually suppressed by the Burgundians.
Prior events
After their efforts in the GuldensporenslagBattle of the Golden Spurs
The Battle of the Golden Spurs, known also as the Battle of Courtrai was fought on July 11, 1302, near Kortrijk in Flanders...
(1302), the guild
Guild
A guild is an association of craftsmen in a particular trade. The earliest types of guild were formed as confraternities of workers. They were organized in a manner something between a trade union, a cartel, and a secret society...
s demanded and received the so called small nering, participation in the rule of the Flemish
County of Flanders
The County of Flanders was one of the territories constituting the Low Countries. The county existed from 862 to 1795. It was one of the original secular fiefs of France and for centuries was one of the most affluent regions in Europe....
cities, something which was not an uncommon result in the wars and battles involving the low countries
Low Countries
The Low Countries are the historical lands around the low-lying delta of the Rhine, Scheldt, and Meuse rivers, including the modern countries of Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and parts of northern France and western Germany....
. In Ghent, a relative equilibrium was achieved between 1360 and 1380, where the schepen
Schepen
A schepen is a Dutch word referring to a municipal civic office in Dutch-speaking countries. The term is still in use in Belgium, but it has been replaced by wethouder in the Netherlands. The closest English terms are alderman, member of the municipal executive, councillor and magistrate,...
en formed a coalition called the Great council of Ghent. The council had three members; one was chosen by the poorter
Poorter
Poorter is a dutch historical term for a type of Dutch or Flemish burgher who had acquired the right to live within the city gates of a city, and also had city rights...
s (A type of citizenship), one was chosen by the influential guild of weavers (Flanders had become rich because of its cloth production), and one was chosen by the smaller guilds . This trio was called the Rule of the three Council members.
From ca. 1430, Philip the Good strove for a return of the situation before the Guldensporenslag; the influence of the guilds, especially those with arch-deacons (in the Low countries, Deacon was also used to denote the leaders of guilds), was in conflict with the Charter of Senlis (1301) according to Philip. The Ghent city government based its defense against Philip's claims on customs
Custom (law)
Custom in law is the established pattern of behavior that can be objectively verified within a particular social setting. A claim can be carried out in defense of "what has always been done and accepted by law." Customary law exists where:...
and old privilege
Privilege
A privilege is a special entitlement to immunity granted by the state or another authority to a restricted group, either by birth or on a conditional basis. It can be revoked in certain circumstances. In modern democratic states, a privilege is conditional and granted only after birth...
s from the 12th and 13th century, before the Charter of Senlis had been signed. To enforce his attempts at gaining control over the appointment of city officials, Philip the Good also searched for a reliable source of income. This he found in the rich Flemish cities, where he raised indirect tax
Indirect tax
The term indirect tax has more than one meaning.In the colloquial sense, an indirect tax is a tax collected by an intermediary from the person who bears the ultimate economic burden of the tax...
es. Until then he had been forced to rely on requests for individual taxes (called beden), which could be refused by the city government.
Taxes
Salt
In chemistry, salts are ionic compounds that result from the neutralization reaction of an acid and a base. They are composed of cations and anions so that the product is electrically neutral...
, after the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
example of the gabelle
Gabelle
The gabelle was a very unpopular tax on salt in France before 1790. The term gabelle derives from the Italian gabella , itself from the Arabic qabala....
. Later he proposed a similar tax on flour
Flour
Flour is a powder which is made by grinding cereal grains, other seeds or roots . It is the main ingredient of bread, which is a staple food for many cultures, making the availability of adequate supplies of flour a major economic and political issue at various times throughout history...
, which would be collected by duchal officials. Salt at that time was very important, as it was the only way to preserve food for longer periods of time. Philip had prepared a speech in Dutch
Dutch language
Dutch 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...
, the main language of the Council, and the deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
s of some of the guilds were consulted or bribed. The city government of Ghent refused to give in, however. After two years of negotiation, the taxes were rejected. Wanting to avoid further humiliation, Philip decided not to propose the taxes to other large Flemish cities. Philip accused the deacons of perjury
Perjury
Perjury, also known as forswearing, is the willful act of swearing a false oath or affirmation to tell the truth, whether spoken or in writing, concerning matters material to a judicial proceeding. That is, the witness falsely promises to tell the truth about matters which affect the outcome of the...
, and removed them from the Council. In reaction, Ghent proposed to replace them with outspoken opponents of the Duke. Philip increased the pressure with measures such as recalling the bailiff
Bailiff
A bailiff is a governor or custodian ; a legal officer to whom some degree of authority, care or jurisdiction is committed...
twice, bringing all judicial procedures in the city to a halt. The conflict escalated, and on 28 October 1451, the guilds proclaimed a general strike, and took up weapons. In December Biervliet
Biervliet
Biervliet is a town in the Dutch province of Zeeland. It is a part of the municipality of Terneuzen, and lies about 16 km South of Vlissingen.Biervliet received city rights in 1183. It is originally a fishing village...
was taken. In Ghent a revolutionary rule of an assembly of the people was formed. Opponents of the revolt, who probably realised that the city could not win, were killed. This way Ghent lost the support of the governments of the other cities, who saw their own power threatened. Only Ninove
Ninove
Ninove is a city and municipality located in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium, and in the Flemish province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. It is situated on the river Dender...
kept supporting Ghent, because it was economically dependent on Ghent.
War
On Friday, 31 May, 1452, Philip the Good officially declared war on Ghent. A month earlier, from April 1452 on, the Ghent city government saw itself forced to take military actions to secure supplies from the local region. They marched along the ScheldtScheldt
The Scheldt is a 350 km long river in northern France, western Belgium and the southwestern part of the Netherlands...
river to Oudenaarde
Oudenaarde
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...
, Spiere
Spiere-Helkijn
Spiere-Helkijn is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Helkijn and Spiere. On January 1, 2006 Spiere-Helkijn had a total population of 2,030. The total area is 10.78 km² which gives a population density of 188 inhabitants per...
and Helkijn, and along the Dender
Dender
The Dendre or Dender is a 65 km long river in Belgium, right tributary of the river Scheldt. The confluence of both rivers is in the Belgian town Dendermonde....
to Aalst
Aalst, Belgium
Aalst is a city and municipality on the Dender River, 19 miles northwest from Brussels. It is located in the Flemish province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the city of Aalst itself and the villages of Baardegem, Erembodegem, Gijzegem, Herdersem, Hofstade,...
and Geraardsbergen
Geraardsbergen
Geraardsbergen is a city and municipality located in the Denderstreek and in the Flemish Ardennes, the hilly southern part of the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Geraardsbergen proper and the following towns:...
. Several strategic locations were taken and occupied by Ghent, amongst which a bridge of the Scheldt at Spiere, and the castles of:
- Poeke, west of Ghent, near Aalter, halfway to BruggeBrugesBruges 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....
. - Schendelbeke, along the Dender at Geraardsbergen, south of Ghent.
- GavereGavereGavere is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Asper, Baaigem, Dikkelvenne, Gavere, Semmerzake and Vurste. On January 1, 2006 Gavere had a total population of 12,004. The total area is 31.35 km² which gives a population...
, along the Scheldt between Ghent and Oudenaarde, where the Ghent garrison of 50 men was supported by 16 EnglishEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
mercenariesMercenaryA mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
.
At the siege of Oudenaarde, which lasted 12 to 13 days, one of the largest artillery-bombardments that Europe had seen so far took place, but the city, under the leadership of Simon de Lalaing
Simon de Lalaing
Simon de Lalaing was an Admiral of Flanders from 1436 to 1462, after which he relinquished the title to his eldest son Othon de Lalaing . He was made a knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1431...
, was able to withstand the siege. Geraardsbergen, where the Burgundian main force was located, also withstood a siege. The Burgundian main force was even able to unite with an army led by John of Burgundy
John II, Count of Nevers
John II, Count of Nevers He was the son of Philip II, Count of Nevers by his wife Bonne of Artois, daughter of Philip of Artois, Count of Eu. From 1442 to 1465 he was Count of Etampes. John's elder brother was also his predecessor in his titles, Charles I, Count of Nevers...
, that marched from Seclin
Seclin
Seclin is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.It is part of the Urban Community of Lille Métropole.Ghana national football team footballer Andre Ayew was born in Seclin.-Twin towns — Sister cities:...
to relieve the sieges of Spiere and Helkijn on Friday 21 April, and relieved the siege of Oudenaarde on Monday 24 April. The forces of Ghent were forced to retreat, leaving behind their artillery on the banks of the Scheldt river. From 1 to 15 May Ghent was bombarded by the Burgundians, who eventually pulled back to Aalst, Dendermonde
Dendermonde
Dendermonde is a Belgian city and municipality located in the Flemish province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the city of Dendermonde proper and the towns of Appels, Baasrode, Grembergen, Mespelare, Oudegem, Schoonaarde, and Sint-Gillis-bij-Dendermonde...
and Oudenaarde. During the constant skirmishes, Philip's favorite illegitimate son, Corneille of Burgundy. was killed at the Battle of Bazel on 14 June 1452.
Charles VII of France
Charles VII , called the Victorious or the Well-Served , was King of France from 1422 to his death, though he was initially opposed by Henry VI of England, whose Regent, the Duke of Bedford, ruled much of France including the capital, Paris...
of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
negotiated a six week truce between the two parties. Philip the Good strengthened his garrisons at Aalst, Dendermonde, Oudenaarde and Courtrai
Kortrijk
Kortrijk ; , ; ) is a Belgian city and municipality located in the Flemish province West Flanders...
, after which his army pulled back to France for the winter. During the entire winter the garrisons, as well as the whole Flemish region was pillaged and plundered by troops from Ghent without intervention from Philip the Good. Ghent troops were nearly able to blow up the entire Burgundian wintersupply of gunpowder
Gunpowder
Gunpowder, also known since in the late 19th century as black powder, was the first chemical explosive and the only one known until the mid 1800s. It is a mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate - with the sulfur and charcoal acting as fuels, while the saltpeter works as an oxidizer...
in Lille
Lille
Lille is a city in northern France . It is the principal city of the Lille Métropole, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country behind those of Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Lille is situated on the Deûle River, near France's border with Belgium...
, but an observant guard extinguished the fuse in time. Philip attempted to negotiate a peace, because Ghent as a rich city was very valuable to him, but Ghent refused any further negotiations. Halfway through 1453 Philip decided to make a decisive military campaign, that started on 18 June 1453. While a fleet moved up the Scheldt
Scheldt
The Scheldt is a 350 km long river in northern France, western Belgium and the southwestern part of the Netherlands...
river from Sluis
Sluis
Sluis is the name of both a municipality and a town located in the west of Zeelandic Flanders, in the south-western part of the Netherlands....
and Antwerp, Philip himself travelled from Lille in order to take the smaller Ghent possessions before marching on Ghent itself. On 27 June 1453 Schendelbeke was taken after two days of heavy artillery bombardment. After that the Poeke Castle was reduced to rubble from 2 to 5 July, though a prominent Knight of the Golden Fleece, Jacques de Lalaing
Jacques de Lalaing
Jacques de Lalaing was a Walloon knight of the 15th century. He was originally in the service of the Duke of Cleves and afterwards in that of the Duke of Burgundy, Philip III, the Good, gaining great renown by his prowess in the tiltyard....
, was killed by opposing fire. After every victory, all Ghent troops were hanged and strangled; In Schendelbeke 104 were killed. Finally, on 18 July Burgundian troops reached the Gavere castle, the last bastion before the city of Ghent. At this castle the decisive battle was fought.
After an artillery bombardment lasting five days, the English captain, John Fox
John Fox
John Fox may refer to:* Tinker Fox, Colonel John Fox , English Parliamentarian Soldier*John Fox * John Fox , pitcher for Major League Baseball* John Fox , comedian...
, and his mercenaries escaped from the castle. They were wearing Burgundian Crosses (confused with Saint Andrew's Cross by some) and knew the poorly chosen Burgundian password: Burgundy. They reached Ghent on Monday 23 July around 5 a'clock in the morning. In the resulting panic in the city, a group of 25.000 men 'volunteered' (under threat of being hanged) to relieve the Gavere castle. The Burgundians, however, were well prepared for such an attempt. They had chosen the fields
Field (agriculture)
In agriculture, the word field refers generally to an area of land enclosed or otherwise and used for agricultural purposes such as:* Cultivating crops* Usage as a paddock or, generally, an enclosure of livestock...
between Semmerzake and Gavere as battlefield, where most troops had hidden themselves in the wooded valley of the Leebeek. When, at the first confrontation, the Ghent troops witnessed John Fox and his mercenaries defect to the Burgundian side, they realised they had been betrayed. Philip ordered an artillery barrage, and the Ghent army answered in kind. However, at this critical moment a Ghent cannoneer accidentally dropped his lighted match in a gunpowder barrel, upon which everyone nearby ran away. The Ghent army panicked at seeing so many people flee, after which the Ghent militia was destroyed in the Battle of Gavere
Battle of Gavere
The Battle of Gavere was fought near Semmerzake in Belgium on July 23, 1453 between an army under the Philip III, Duke of Burgundy and the rebelling city of Ghent. The army of the duke came out victorious and around 16,000 citizens of Ghent died...
(1453); 16.000 to 20.000 people died. Only the desperate resistance of 1.000 militia prevented Philip the Good from marching straight to Ghent; One soldier even wounded the Duke, who had personally entered the fighting at the end.
When the remains of the fleeing army of Ghent reached the city, the city decided to surrender without any further resistance, an outcome that pleased Philip. The for Ghent humiliating Peace of Gavere ended the revolt of Ghent. The peace was also a definitive step towards the centralisation of the Burgundian
Duke of Burgundy
Duke of Burgundy was a title borne by the rulers of the Duchy of Burgundy, a small portion of traditional lands of Burgundians west of river Saône which in 843 was allotted to Charles the Bald's kingdom of West Franks...
control, at the cost of the power of the cities. Philip the Good's summer campaign had also reïnforced the establishment of modern gunpowder artillery as a decisive factor in battles.