Jacob Van Artevelde
Jacques or Jacob Van Artevelde (° Ghent, v. 1287 - † Ghent, 17 or July 24th 1345). Father of Philippe van Artevelde.
Jacob Van Artevelde, born with Ghent towards 1287, is a member of the Gantese upper middle classes which made fortune in industry clothier at the beginning of the 14th century. Its various contacts with the capacity comtal did of it one of the spokespersons of its city initially, of the Flemish communes then, in the various negotiations with the Count de Flandre Louis of Nevers.
In 1336, Edouard III, which wants to oblige the Flemish cities to turn to the England, prohibited the export of English wools towards the Flanders. This one enters in crisis: the profits drop, unemployment increases. The workers and the clothiers see only the tax officials coming from France and the riots start to multiply. The January 3rd 1338, Van Artevelde is made entrust the direction of Ghent by the aldermen of the city and organizes, in April, a conference of the big cities of Flanders to the monastery of Eeckoutte. As from this moment, it is him which assumes the government of the Comté of Flanders.
The count Louis Ier of Flanders took refuge in France. Van Artevelde names in its place a regent, Simon Van Halen. In December 1339, it meets Edouard III with Antwerp and concludes an agreement with him. The Flemings recognize it as king de France and commit themselves providing him troops to conquer its new kingdom. Edouard, agree to him to transfer the stage from wools of Antwerp to Bruges and to give to the Flanders the châtellenies of Lille, Douai and Orchies, annexed formerly by Philippe IV Beautiful the. In 1340, Van Artevelde invites Edouard III with Ghent and made there proclaim king de France.
To the beginning of the year 1340, the return of English wools does not bring back however prosperity to Flanders and the authority of Jacob Van Artevelde is disputed more and more. The pope Clément VI launched a Excommunication to the Flemings perjuries. Louis of Flanders manages to reestablish in the county by creating a party at the opponents. Van Artevelde answers by the escape ahead. He repudiates the count of Flanders and suggests with Edouard III offering the county to his son Edouard, the future Prince Noir. He is however already too late for him. Disputed in its city even of Ghent, he is assassinated at the time of a riot the 17 or on July 24th 1345. The Flanders gives up Edouard III consequently and joins in France.
| Random links: | Laurent Cantet | Tonnelon | The Buccaneers (film, 1958) | Jacques Nougier | Wolf Detlef Rohr | E._Annie_Proulx |