Class Book. FRKSKNTEI) BY 1^ ^ — - v^- Excerpts from the author's historical work, "Fifteen Hundred Years of Europe 1 ' The Belgian Nation Table of Contents A COMPOSITE NATION Race — Flemings and Walloons form a composite nation with the same origin, i. Qualities — Love of labor, liberty and culture — small territory but prominent power, 2-3. History ANCIENT HISTORY Roman Period (I) Five Centuries of Culture. Ambiorix and Caesar, 5. MEDIEVAL HISTORY : HEROIC AGES A — World movements of Crusaders, 7. B — National movements, 12. Franco-Belgian period (II), 12. Formation of Frankish civilization cradle of Frankish dynasties. Empire, 13. Feudal period (III). Six centuries, 19. Feudal system. Military, 19. Imperial fief, Lotharingia, royal fief, Flanders, 19. Monograph, 20-31. Flanders: The Baldwins. Communes. Industries. Struggles : Breydel and Deconinick, Van Artevelde. Franchises conquered in all Belgium. Brabant: Joyeuse Entree. Liege, the Walloon capital. Heroism of 600 Franchimontois. Union period (IV). Two centuries. Reunion of principalities by Dukes of Burgundy, 37. Period V. Foreign regimes; commercial collapse, 45. Spanish Domination. Attacks of Louis XIV. Causes of the division of Belguim and Holland, 47. Austrian Domination, 49. French Domination, 50. Dutch Domination, 52. THE BELGIAN NATION MODERN HISTORY Period VI — Independent Kingdom of Belgium: N earing a Century. Sacrifice of Provinces, 51. Superior Dynasty, 53. Heroism in the World's War, 53. Chronicles Ancient History, 64. Medieval Histoiry, 64. Modern History, 70. Index Alphabetical Index, J2-J6. Letters of Introduction Chicago, 10- 2 7- icj Dear Father De Vos: Your pamphlet "The Belgian Nation' strikes me as reflecting the life of the Belgians through the centuries and the remarkable part they had in all the great movements of the times. Why have the Belgians played such an important role in history? Why have they prospered ? We find the answer in your pamphlet. The historical episodes set forth in its pages give the reader a clear conception of the Belgian nation from the times of Caesar until the present epoch. u Multum in parvo." The ingenious arrangement in episodes, chronicles and statistics offers much in a small booklet and gives enough to understand the history of the Belgians and their in- fluence in the world. It is just what the busy Americans want as it sho7vs in a few hours the reason why Belgium lives and is the cedter of attention of the world today. To my knowledge, there arc in the United States very few histories of Belgium. I commend these compact pages to the numerous friends of Belgium. Yours truly, The Belgian Consul; Cyrix Vermerrn, M. D. THE BELGIAN NATION PRE- NOTE BY A PROFESSOR In the calm, following the frightful disturbances of the world during the past four years, the scholar and historian has ample opportunity to make an exhaustive study of the real causes lead- ing to the almost inconceivable conditions of European past policy, politics, intrigue and deceit, culminating in the tragedy fresh in our memories. The inevitable consequences of un- christian international ambition, unfair competition, race and class hatred and suspicion needed only an insignificant spark of hypocritical pretence to throw the entire continent into a con- flagration wherein seemed destined to perish from the earth, liberty, loyalty, love and trust. Its devastating ravages are now vu ell known. But out from this inferno there emerged one nation that before an admiring world, immortalized the ideals of centuries of its children in a baptism of blood, suffering, sorrozv and heroism unparalleled in the pages of history. The Calvary of this little heroic martyr country is now past and as it rises in the glory of its true power, strength and immortality it commands the admira- tion of the scholar of every nation who may. seek to fathom the causes of its wonderful vitality tried by the most awful tests. That country is Belgium and the causes of its victory, life and vigor today, "a passionate love of liberty, of culture and an in- defatigable activity'' are described in the simple, easy and con vincing narrative of the author who knows so well the aims, ideals and aspirations of his noble people. This, taken from a more lengthy and elaborate work of the author, should give to the scholar a clear idea of the fundamental principles and causes of the pozver of resistance of the Belgian nation in the late world war, causes that must ever give a lasting inspiration and confidence to her sister nations of history, mar- tyred as was Belgium in the cause of justice, right, and loyalty to her beloved Rulers, but victorious at last in the struggle with oppression, injustice and tyranny. James M. Murray, CM. A.M. Ph.D. De Paul University, Chicago, Illinois. October 28, 1919. The Belgian Nation A Composite Nation A fusion of races tends to improve the composite Composite L . - . Character nations resulting from them. No people are more mixed than the Belgians and none were more progressive. Belgium is a borderland between France, Germany and England, and combines traits of these great nations. It is inhabited by two races : The Flemish and the Walloon, who speak different languages. The Characteristics of a Nation. To excuse their unjust agression the Prussians pre- ? wo ■ °° m l Languages tended that the Belgians are not one nation because thev Are no Sign speak two languages, to wit : the Flemish and the Wal- National- loon, and thus seem to belong to two nationalities. But lties the language is not always a mark of race and in this case the Flemings and the Walloons have the same origin. Both are a mixture of Celts and Teutons ; where 9/. igin a , m Mixture of the Celtic element predominates a French idiom is spok- Gauls and en; where the German element' predominates, a Teu- tonic idiom is used. Both having the same origin, they perfectly answer the definition of a nation. Moreover, they have the same character, to-wit: a passionate love of liberty and of culture and an indefa- n 1 •> Common tigable activity; such traits always make a progressive Traits people. Their folk song rings, "Flemings and Walloons are only surnames, Belgian is our family name." Love of Liberty. The Belgians are such lovers of liberty, that they Fi .s ht For always fought any encroachment on their rights and always were a free people. Walloons and Flemings l CHARACTER Civilized by the Romans Break the Nomadic Tribes Sacrifices For Liberty of Conscience Democracy Useful Arts stood together for liberty. The only time that the Bel- gians were subdued was by the irresistible Julius Caesar, but they became one of the progressive peoples of the Roman Empire. Far from being enslaved by the Franks, they were made partners of the kingdoms, and with them compelled the nomadic tribes to respect the lands of others and to settle down on their own territories. When western Europe was parcelled out into fiefs, de- pending on France and Germany, the Belgian princi- palities enjoyed a large amount of freedom. Being far away from the central powers, they were only lightly ruled by their suzerains, and opposed an implacable re- sistance against any attempt on their liberties. At the Reformation, when the Dutch attempted to destroy their churches and change their ancient faith, the Belgians fought for their liberty of worship and sac- rificed their commerce to follow the dictates of their con- science. For they were shut off from the sea routes by the Hollanders, and ostracised by the northern powers who were then fanatical Protestants, and they suffered an eclipse in the commerce for conscience' sake. When the peoples of the earth commenced to organize a real and logical democracy, the Belgians were among the first to assert their independence against the Dutch. In our days they maintained their liberty against the most powerful tyrant of any age. They fought that they and the world may be safe for democracy. Love of Culture. The Belgians have a natural inclination to the arts — the fine arts as well as the useful. They seem to be born mechanics and when they migrate to other countries they quickly are noted for their mechanical skill in every kind of craft and secure the best of positions. THE BELGIAN NATION As for the fine arts and letters, the Belgians excel Fl " e Arts . . an( * in painting, music, history and science. Their museums Sciences are filled with masterpieces of their own masters, and their homes are decorated in fine taste and style. The Belgians have their quota of men great in every kind of science and they always march in the van of progress. Love of Labor. The Belgians are animated with a devouring activity. Activity Labor is a second nature to them. The density of the population brings up many rivals for every position. It is a difficult task to climb in the scale of society and it requires exertion to make a living. Everyone works early and late. But labor develops man and produces wealth and abundance ; it creates a powerful community and a progressive people. Belgium has a man to the acre, that is, 646 people to the square mile; it is more than any other country supports. Progressive Role in the World. Belgium took a lively part in the movements of the Roman times : social, political and religious ; commercial and Absorbed intellectual. c^™^' It quickly assimilated the Roman civilization and com- municated same to the Franks, who migrated on its soil, and amalgamated with its progressive inhabitants, and formed themselves into the civilizing nation of the west. In the middle ages, Belgium was the most progressive people of northern Europe in industry and commerce, industry It was the first to ennoble labor with the order of the Golden Fleece instituted by Philip the Good to glorify- the woolen industries, so flourishing in his domains. In the wars for liberty, aeainst threatening Moham- medanism and German autocracy, it furnished the great- CHARACTER Crusaders Faithful- ness to Belief At All Times Prominence of Belgium Rich Soils and Mines Drainage Roads Belgians Prominent in the World Affairs est heroes of the Crusades, who became chosen rulers of the Catholic states of Jerusalem and Constantinople. The Belgians defended the liberty of mankind against German autocracy. In reformation times, they refused to change their religion, at the command • of German princes. In our own days they stopped the K'aiser on his way to the conquest of the world. The sacrifices were immense, but human liberty was saved. Small Territory but Prominent Pozver. Belgium is one of the smallest lands in Europe. Still it has played a big role at all times, especially in this war, and is now entirely paralyzed. What is it that gives this little nation such prominence? The high character of the people, the heroism in this war, and its spirit of independence through the ages. The area of Belgium is 11,843 square miles. Its pop- ulation, 7,386,466 souls. Its soil is inexhaustible and it is as intensely cultivated as a garden. It has coal and iron mines ranking fifth in importance in all Europe. Its streams, the Meuse, the Scheldt and the Yser, afford a complete drainage of the plains and form a large net- work of waterways which penetrates into every nook of the country. Railroads, national, provincial and vicinal, run to the very villages. The highways between these villages are kept up like our boulevards. Although one of the smallest states of Europe, it is the fifth in the world trade. It comes immediately after England, Germany, the United States and France. It ranks as a great power on account of the volume and the kind of its commerce. From a business standpoint, Belgium occupies a rank altogether out of proportion with its size and its population. The area of Belgium is THE BELGIAN NATION eighteen times smaller than that of Germany or France industry and still it competes in the markets of tlie world with its gigantic neighbors. The great powers are recog- nizing the importance of Belgium by raising their envoys at the court of Brussels to the rank of ambassadors, which implies a great power. Belgium has the largest and finest colony in Africa, Colonization that of the Congo, which is eighty times larger than the colony** mother country. That state is very fertile and practically organized and administered. The slave raids have been stopped forever. Life and property are safe and the country is being rapidly developed. History Ancient History I. PERIOD 57 B. C. 476 A. D. ROMAN PERIOD CULTURED In ancient times Belgium formed the third part of Third Part Gaul, stretching from the Rhine to the Somme and of Gaul the Sea. The Belgians strongly resisted the Roman con- quest. Once incorporated in the World Empire, the Bel- vaiiance gians took up the advanced culture of Rome, and became a factor in the empire and enjoyed for five centuries the blessings of the civilization of Athens and Rome. Ambiorix and Caesar. Ambiorix was the personification of Northern brav- ery and independence. Caesar, the personification of Roman strategy and statesmanship. Julius Caesar is easily the greatest among the r^^"^^ Romans, who conquered all the nations of the ancient ROMAN PERIOD Conquers Gaul Caesar Drives Germans Back Remains in Gaul Rise of the Belgians They Corner Caesar Extreme Danger Conquest of Nervians Ambiorix Leagues the Belgians world. His main achievement was the conquest of Gaul, whose people were brave and independent, and who later formed the wealthiest province of the Roman Empire. For there he found adversaries worthy of him. Caesar conquered Gaul in eight years, 58-51 B. C. Called by Gallic tribes against Helvetian and German invaders, he established his camp in Gaul and demanded hostages. The Belgians were extremely jealous of their independence. 57 B. C. they formed a league against the threatening power of Rome; 300,000 men arose for the defense of their liberty. Caesar boldly advanced in their midst before they could unite their forces and he subdued one tribe after another. The Nervii had an army of 60,000 men. They surprised the Romans when the latter were preparing their camp on the banks of the Sambre and very nearly swept Caesar and his veterans off the field by their furious and tremendous charge. But the personal influence of the one and the steady discipline of the other pre- vailed over the untrained valor of the Nervii and the proud nation was nearly exterminated. Their com- batants were cut off, almost to a man. Only 500 fight- ing men remained. The Belgians were subdued in 57 B. C. But they revolted. Ambiorix, the king of Eburons, organized them in a league. He besieged the Roman camp, which was saved only by the prompt action of Caesar. In 53 Ambiorix formed a new league and seriously threatened the Romans. Caesar, understanding the danger, penetrated as quick as lightning among the different tribes and ravaged their territories. He de- feated Ambiorix, exterminated the Eburons and made a desert of their lands. THE BELGIAN NATION Ambiorix fled to the Germans to warn them against Arouses . . , . ° Hermann the advancing Romans, and he aroused Hermann, f Germany the .German hero, who exterminated the Roman legions. But Caesar crossed the Rhine two times and appeared in Germany; he also crossed the Channel two times and invaded Britain. Thus he struck awe of the Roman power among the fierce nations of the north. Ambiorix never bent the knee to the Romans and died a free man among the German warriors. Medieval History FIFTH-SIXTEENTH CENTURIES The Middle Ages were ages of struggle and forma- A es of non full of wild disorder and vice and of noble heroism struggle and virtue. They were the times of struggle against anarchy, fanaticism and despotism and of struggles for order, religion and liberty. The greatest champions of the rights of men were the Franco-Belgians, who at home created industry and prosperity and abroad threw themselves valiantly in the great movements for the sake of humanity. Whilst those world wars lasted during the whole of the Middle Ages, they are treated first; then the local events and national improvements are taken up. A! WORLD WARS FOR CULTURE The Middle Ages were the heroic ages of Christen- dom. Nomadism and brutality were let loose upon man- . esof Heroes kind by the fall of the Roman Empire — the power that nad maintained peace in the world for centuries. The Franco-Belgians were the first to restore order in Europe' and fought the longest against the powers of barbarism. The expeditions of Charlemagne to tame and settle down the barbarians of the north and the wars of Charles CRUSADES Franco-Bel- gian Heroes Pilgrimages Hampered by Seljuks Who Threat- en Empire Martel, Godfrey de Bouillon, Baldwin IX of Flanders St. Louis IX of France and Emperor Charles V are holy wars undertaken to defend liberty, culture and re- ligion; they all were crusades fought to establish and maintain civilization in the w r orld. Without denying the part of all the Christian nations in those world wars for civilization, it is safe to say that ihe Franco-Belgian heroes and later the French and the Belgians had the greatest share. For them crusading began centuries before and lasted centuries after the general crusades. Their rulers became the leaders of those Christian expeditions ; but most of them lost their lives in the infidel countries and their great dynasties were lost to their people. The feats of Godfrey de Bouillon, Baldwin of Flanders, equal the deeds of any heroes of the past ages and will forever redound to the glory of the Belgians. FIRST CRUSADE From Three Ages of Progress by J. De Vos From the earliest ages the land sanctified by the pres- ence of Our Lord was held in pious veneration, and was the object of many pilgrimages. In 630 the Arabs, in 907 the Kihalifs of Cairo, and in 1075 the Seljukian Turks, conquered Palestine, and all molested and tor- mented the Christians, the last-named especially being exceedingly cruel. After subduing the East, they estab- lished five young kingdoms eager to expand, the most famous being Iconium in Asia Minor, Aleppo in Syria, and Damascus in Palestine. Constantinople was alarmed, and sent a cry of distress to Rome. The Italians were deaf to the appeal, and remained insensible to the troubles of the Greeks. But Pope Urban II (1088-1099) sent Peter the Hermit to France, the land of Charles Martel, THE BELGIAN NATION to describe the woes of the Christians of the East. He also convoked and presided at the Council of Clermont, urban n which was attended by throngs of bishops and nobles, councilor" Peter the Hermit, a poor emaciated priest, told, with a clermont sad countenance and a voice choked with sobs, the awful ? T eter * e „ , ' Hermit's Sad tale of Mussulman violence and sacrilege. Story "I have seen/' he exclaimed, "Christians ironed and put to the yoke like beasts of burden. I have seen the ministers of the Most High dragged from the sanctuary, beaten with rods, and doomed to an ignominious death." When the hermit had filled every heart with emotion, the Pope arose and thrilled the warriors by a most stir- ring speech. He told them to stop their fratricidal com- Christian \A^arriors bats, and to atone for them by turning their swords Urged to . , - , . Turn Wea- agamst the enemies of Christ. pons Against "Soldiers of hell !" cried he, "be now the champions of Enemy God. You are not to avenge the wrongs of men, but those of the Lord of hosts. If you triumph, the bless- ings of Heaven and the kingdoms of Asia will be yours. If you fall, you will have the consolation of dying upon the soil crimsoned bv our Savior's Blood. Break all earthly ties. Remember the words of our Lord: 'Every one that has left house, brethren and sisters, or father and mother, or wife and children for My sake shall re- ceive a hundredfold and possess life everlasting' ! " At these words the vast multitude arose and exclaimed "9. od wills it" as with one voice: "God wills it! .God wills it!" Three times the enthusiastic cry broke forth from thousands of breasts, and was borne away upon the' breeze and resounded with lengthened echoes from the hills around. The Pope promised to protect their prop- erties and their families during their absence, and thous- 9 CRUSADES Cross Taken On the Spot Army of 600,000 Alexis Alarmed Claims Asiatic Con- quests Crusaders Conquer Part of Syria Only 50,000 Arrive Before Jerusalem ands pledged themselves on the spot to go to war in the Holy Land. As a sign of their vow they put a red cross on their right shoulder, whence they were called cru- saders. Peter the Hermit passed on into Germany and Italy, and there also he created a general enthusiasm for the Holy War. In the first enthusiasm numerous bands set out with- out leaders and perished on the road. The real crusade (1095-1099) was led by the most noble and the most re- nowned knights of Christendom. Six hundred thousand men were marshaled under the walls of Constantinople, and so frightened the Emperor Alexis that his daughter Ann wrote: "It seemed to us as if Europe, torn from its foundations, was hurled in its entirety upon Asia/' Alexis commenced to annoy the Crusaders, and refused them ships with which to cross the Bosphorus until they promised to turn over to him all the conquests they might make in Asia Minor. The crusaders defeated the Sultan of Iconium, and the Greeks followed to take possession of the conquered country, and often betrayed their allies the crusaders. In Syria Baldwin of Bouillon and Bohe- mond of Tarento conquered Edessa and Antioch, and became the princes of these cities. Combats, famine and hardships thinned the ranks of the army before they reached Jerusalem, and the plague set in and carried of! a great many. There remained only 50,000 men, but they were the flower of the Christian chivalry. When they arrived on the hills of Emmaus, and beheld Jeru- salem afar off, glowing in the rays of the rising sun, they threw themselves upon their faces in the dust, and kissed with respect the ground sanctified by the footsteps of our Lord, shouting the watchword "God wills it!" 10 THE BELGIAN NATION The infidels were prepared for a desperate resistance, Thirl"' and had 40,000 soldiers from Egypt besides 20,000 be- Heat and OJ Toil longing to Jerusalem. They had filled the wells around the city, and turned the surrounding country into a desert. The crusaders suffered terribly from hunger and thirst, and from the burning sun; but they were relieved by the .arrival of the Genoese fleet at Joppa, which brought plenty of supplies and a number of engineers. These cut down trees of a distant forest, and constructed moving towers which were higher than the ramparts of the enemy and furnished with drawbridges which could be lowered upon the walls. After five weeks of toil and lighting the crusaders prepared by a fast and a proces- sion for the final assault. At early dawn the Christians moved forward their battle engines; the Mohammedans Stormin^of Terusslern threw upon them flashing torches and Greek fire. The storming lasted until dark, and was recommenced the fol- lowing morning. From their ramparts the Mussulmans did not cease throwing that unquenchable Greek fire, which devoured even the shields and corselets of the steel- in F*ce of • Greek Fire clad warriors. Conspicuous upon the top of his moving tower stood Godfrey of Bouillon, dealing death and havoc ^{jf^ * among the Moslems. Surrounded by a heap of dead and Enters dying, the hero calmly gave his orders and encouraged his men by example, voice and gesture. It was the solemn hour of three o'clock, at which our Lord died. Suddenly the report spread that several of the crusaders who had fallen in preceding battles had appeared, and planted the standard of the Cross upon the ramparts of Jerusalem. The Christians charged with renewed vigor.' , Godfrey's tower rolled on amid a storm of darts, stones and fiery missiles ; it lowered its bridge upon the walls, whilst the Christians shot their burning darts upon 11 FRANCO-BELGIAN PERIOD And Takes Possession of City Procession of the Cross Election of Godfrey to Kingship Belgium the Cradle of Frankish Dynasties the bales of cotton and straw which protected the inner wall of the city. The wind fanned the flames, and drove them upon the infidels, who were stifled by the fire and mioke. The city was soon taken. As soon as victory was gained, the crusaders, laying iside their arms and bloodstained garments, went, bare- footed and bareheaded, weeping and striking their breasts, to the Sepulchre of Our Lord. The true cross was borne in procession through the streets. At its sight the Christians were as much moved as if they had seen the Body of Christ as it once hung upon the same cross. The chiefs met to elect a king able to defend the precious conquest of the holy places, and they unani- mously chose Godfrey of Bouillon, who soon afterward gained the great battle of Ascalon against the combined forces of Egypt and Syria. The crusaders returned to Europe, and left to the king only 2,000 infantry and 300 horsemen. It was the Knights Hospitallers who formed his principal support. Unhappily he died in the year 1 100. B During NATIONAL MOVEMENTS the Middle Ages the Belgians progressed under every kind of government. They throve as part- ners of the Franco-Belgian Empire; as quasi-independ- ent vassals and as a reunited and free nation. 11 period — 476-842 franco-belgian period: formative From the Fourth century many Franks settled in Bel- gium and combined with the ancient populations and made them more Teutonic than before. It is on Belgian soil that the two first dynasties of the Franks arose and grew, to-wit: — the Merovingians, 350-752, the Carolingians, 752-987 — Clovis, Charles THE BELGIAN NATION Martel and Charlemagne are Belgian princes. Clovis' capital was Tournay, Charlemagne's was Aix la Chapelle, then in the center of Belgium. Lotharingia In 843 the Frankish Empire was partitioned in three B°™fum hendS parts : — France, Lotharin^ia and Germany. Lotharinsria Loraine F . 11 r • 11? Switzerland was the center, and the seat 01 empire, comprehending ' not only Belgium and Holland, but also Lorraine and Switzerland. That state soon dissolved into the above countries, which are existing until today. The Franks: The Leaders of the Teutons. Most of the history of ancient Belgium from the Franks in fall of the old Roman Empire of the West to the restora- ^^ a Rome tion of the same 'by Charlemagne may be told in the history of the Franks. They are the one nation that grew on the confines of the Roman Empire along the right side of the Rhine from the Main river to the sea, and that occupied the left side and all of Belgium even before the fall of the Empire. They had adopted the policies and strategies of the Empire. Three Franks had been proclaimed emperors of Rome. By embracing Leavened Christianity the Franks acquired a new element of cul- Christianity ture and progress. They had become similar to the Celts of Gaul, whom A ;?d By . -■ Mixture they conquered, and they could at once amalgamate them- with Gauls ■ selves with those Latinized Gauls — thus they represented ii s h the in themselves a revival of the ancient civilization and Empire 11 they became the Neo-Latins of the North. The Franks became the leaders of continental Europe w ^5 h j ls r Divided for three centuries; thev laid the foundation of a new Into Two . . . Great Empire of the west, which was gloriously established by Powers Charlemagne who was consecrated the first Emperor by the Chief of Christendon; after a century and a half of vicissitudes it was finally established in the eastern part of • 13 FRANCO-BELGIAN PERIOD the domains — Germany, while the western part was held by the kingdom of France ; the equal in power and influ- And Some ence to the Empire itself. There were a number of secondary powers that arose between and around those main realms, which maintained and led their own national life and never amalgamated with the main powers. There were also a great number of quasi-inde- pendent principalities which also preserved their in- dividual existence and characteristics. This organization was due as much to the genius of the Franks as to the policy of the church. Defenders Not only were the Franks the leaders in the early re- tion and Za " construction of Europe ; but they were also its defenders. They helped the Romans to check the invading Ger- man tribes, and to crush the triumphant hordes of the Huns at Chalons sur Marne. No im- When the Mohammedan Moors had passed over the Culture But prostrate Westgoths of Spain and rushed into Gaul, the Gradual Franks stopped their triumphant march at Poitiers. This does not imply that the Franks lost their wild instincts and became meek and cultured at once. It took centuries to blot out barbarism. But it simply means that they established orderly governments and became the champions of justice and religion. Two dynasties ruled the Franks — the Merovingian Two Dynasties 418-638 and the Carolingian 638-843. When the de- scendants of Clovis gave themselves over to indolence and delivered the government to their ministers, called the Mayors of the palace, the Carolingians arose to power, and became the Monarchs of France. The deeds of a prominent prince of each dynasty are described. 14 THE BELGIAN NATION SOME LEADING PERSONAGES CLOVIS Monographs. The Franks were divided in Riparian or River Franks (Rhine) and Salic or Sea (North Sea) Franks. Clovis was only one of the Frankish kings; but he kills most of the other kings and by violence and deceit makes himself the sole ruler of the Franks, and thus unites all the Franks in one realm. 481-51 1, Clovis of Chlodwig was only 16 years, but he was a hero. Leader of the Salic Franks in the battle of Poitiers, 486, he conquers Syagrius, the last Roman gov- ernor in Gaul, whose rule extended from the Seine to the Garonne basin. In 493 Clovis had married the Catholic Princess Clo- tilde of Burgundy. Called by the Riparian King of Cologne, against the Alamanni, he gives battle to them (at Tolbiac). When his soldiers were giving way, he vowed to adore the God of Clotilde if He gave him a vic- tory. Fie beat his enemies, and the Rhine became a Frankish river. As a result of this battle he was bap- tized by St. Remi and 3,000 nobles with him. He was the first Teutonic king to accept the Catholic Faith. Hence, France is called the eldest Daughter of the Church. St. Eleutherius baptized 11,000 men. That solemn conversion to the Catholic Faith, the one professed by the Gaulic population, produced a powerful sensation. The fusion between the Gauls and the Franks became possible because both had the Catholic Faith. Franks United Conquest of Roman Gaul Alamanni After Vitory of Tolbiac Baptism of 3,000 Officers Fusion Be- tween the Franks and Gauls CHARLEMAGNE Character. Charlemagne was tall and robust, com- strong manding in face and figure, an untiring worker, tern- Temperate perate in food and still more in drink ; cheerful in temper, 15 FRANCO-BELGIAN PERIOD Balanced High- minded Defender of Chris- tendom He Unites the German Nations Under One Empire Charles a Born Ruler Perfected by Virtue steadfast and terrible in battle; gentle, condescending and faithful to his friends. His faculties were harmo- niously developed. He was equally great as a conqueror and a lawgiver, a social organizer and a promoter of re- ligion and culture. He loved power for the good it enabled him to do, but he was free from personal am- bition. The glittering and easy price of the eastern empire was no temptation to him. He preferred to ham- mer away at the Saxons, Saracens, Avars in the service of Christ and His Church and never unsheathed the sword in a lower cause. Beneficent Empire. Greatness is embodied in the very name of Charlemagne — Magnus, "great," forming one word with it. Charlemagne was the flower and the glory of the Carolingian dynasty. He was the worthy suc- cessor of Charles Martel who had saved Christendom from Mohammedanism and of Pepin the Short who had defended the Church against the encroachment of the Langobardians and he united the German nations under one scepter, thus finishing the work of his illustrious pre^ decessors. But he had no successors able to take up his great work, and the glory of the house ended with him, and his dynasty disappeared within a century. Seldom has the world seen a king more fitted by nature and virtue for ruling men, and seldom has a born ruler found similar opportunities for displaying such powers and qualities. To him Providence had assigned the task of consolidating the best results of the migration of the nations, and of welding its many discordant elements into a strong Christian commonwealth. Charles had inherited from Pepin, his father, and Charles Martel, his grandfather, the duty of protecting Catholic Europe from the Saracens, the Slavs and the 16 THE BELGIAN NATION Saxons, to push the outer defenses of Christendom into w^^S^ territories still sunk in paganism and sa'vaeerv, to pro- Migrated 1 & m t> .• > . 1 Nations mote the conversions of the new subjects whom he might Together subdue, and to continue the temporal protectorate over the Church and the Holy See, which the Franks had assumed under Pepin the Short. His most difficult task was the conquest of the Saxons. Data in the ivork of Charlemagne. In the course of fifty-three military expeditions Charles Expeditions the Great firmly established his power over Southern Gaul and Celtic Brittany, reached Sicily, Corsica and the Balearic Islands in his warfare against the Arab pirates of Africa, rained the countries around the head Subdues r ' & Aquitamans of the Adriatic from the Eastern Empire, secured the Slavs independence of Venice by a treaty with Constantinople, destroyed the kingdom of the Avars, reduced the Slav- Reaches Greeks onic tribes on the eastern front from the Baltic to the Adriatic, and united into one Frankish monarchy, within the Eider, the Ebro, the Garigliano and the Raab, all' the German nations that had remained in their ancient seats, Unites A11 with all the Teutonic tribes on the Continent that had £ e German Nations settled on Roman soil. Yet what made him still greater was that he labored untiringly every year of his reign with resolution and deliberate purpose for the benefit of all classes in his vast dominions. He attacked the Lombard King Desiderius, 77Z-7&7, Langobar- who was conspiring with his enemies, and was molesting the Pope of Rome, and he conquered Longobarda, and annexed it to France 787. He warred with the Saxons for twenty years and ten years longer with the Danes, among whom he advanced as far as the Eider. He re- duced Thassilo, duke of Bavaria, who had revolted, and 17 FRANCO-BELGIAN PERIOD Avars Slavs Border of Mar- gravates Expedition into Spain Roland of Roncevalles Centuries of Hostility had enlisted the neighboring princes in his revolt, and he abolished the Dukedom, and divided it in counties. The Avars had aided the enemies of Charles who at- tacked them from 791-799 and established the Avaric March, which later became Austria. To secure a boundary line in the rear of the Saxons against the advancing Slavs, who penetrated wherever the shifting of nations offered them a chance, he pushed as far as the Oder, conquered the Slavic tribes of the Elbe, and established a Sorbian March. Charles created a borderbelt of German Margravates from the Baltic to the Adriatic, among the Slavic tribes to keep same in awe and prevent further migra- tions. Charlemagne undertook an expedition into Spain, 77S, against Abderrhaman the new Ommiad Caliph. Charles crossed the Pyrenees, subdued the country as far as the Erbo, and received the temporary homage of Moslems, Navarese and Basques. A Spanish march was estab- lished. But on his march back the Basques surprised the rearguard of the Frankish army in the passes of Roncevalles. Here fell the hero Roland, a Frankish Margrave of the Breton coast celebrated in many me- dieval romances. Wars with the Saxons, 772-864. The Saxons were the hereditary foes both of the Franks and of Christianity. For three hundred years they had defied the power of the Franks and made in- cursions into their territory. In the Mayfield and general review of the army at Worms, 772, the conquest and con- version of the Saxons was resolved upon as necessary for the safety of the Frankish kingdom. 18 THE BELGIAN NATION Warfare with the Saxons was most difficult on account of the wildness of the country, the bravery of the Saxons and the desperate tenacity with which they clung to their liberty, religion and customary laws. Compared with the Saxon wars the other expeditions The Life of Charles have the character of episodes. Whilst charie- Charles invaded their territory, built fortresses and magne manned them with Frankish garrisons, introduced the military and judicial system of the Franks, built churches What He and founded missionary stations, the Saxons rose as They soon as he turned his back upon their country, destroyed estr °y ed his institutions and carried their raids into Frankish ter- ritory. Nine times they shook off the foreign yoke and Rose Nine taxed the energy of the inflexible conqueror for twenty Resisted 20 years before he had the satisfaction of seeing Saxony ears submissive and Christian. The North Albigenses resisted ten years more. Ill PERIOD. 843-I4OO, FEUDAL PERIOD Feudal System . Military System of Feudalism. Europe was organized under the feudal system from the IX to the XIV century. As a political unity the name of Belgium disappeared and there arose a number of small principalities, with one^Spirft local names, but* the Belgian spirit of independence re- mained alive. Lower Lotharingia covered most of Belgium and Holland and soon was divided into several fiefs or prov- inces, of which Brabant and Luxemburg were the prin- cipal ones. It was often disputed between France and Germany and its major part was incorporated in the German empire. But it retained its independent spirit. The western part of ancient Belgium, called Flan- 19 FEUDAL PERIOD Seventeen Principalities Some Episodes Democracy Has and Defends Its Rights Baldwin, Iron Arm, Drives Away the Normans Marries Royal Princess ders, was apportioned to France in the Carolingian division. But it remained more Belgian than French. It extended to the Somme and comprehended Artois besides Belgian and French Flanders. During the Middle Ages under the feudal system, there arose seventeen well known states upon the soil of ancient Belgium of which today Belgium contains nine, France one (Artois) and Holland seven. All had their strifes for liberty and made strides in progress. Only some episodes of Belgian history are given here, and convey a fair idea of the free life of the Belgians during the Middle Ages, and of their struggles for liberty. Prosperity of Flanders. Flanders was for 800 years the most independent and the most progressive state of northern Europe. It was the communes or towns, . which means the people, that possessed valuable franchises, and defended same against all autocrats and tyrants that would curtail them. In England it was the nobility that wrenched the Great Charter of liberties from King John. In Belgium the guilds acquired franchises for their towns and al- lowed no one to infringe upon them. The Baldwins, Flanders, Enlightened Counts. The first count of Flanders, Baldwin the Iron Arm (862-878), laid the foundation of the greatness of his fief by two feats of daring and of bravery; the expul- sion of the Normans, who were the terror of Europe; and the capture and marriage of Judith, the daughter of Charles the Bald, King of France. By driving from his coasts - the pirates of the North who infested all the rest of Europe, Baldwin secured lor his land that peace that is necessary for any prog- 20 THE BELGIAN NATION ress. If they returned sometimes, they never got a foothold in Flanders, as they did in Normandy, England, and Naples — lands which they conquered and ruled as masters. That alone put Flanders at the head of progress in northern Europe. The marriage of the count to a Carolingian prin- cess, a descendant of the Great Emperor who had restored the Western Empire, assured the counts of Flanders a princely rank. At first there was a stren- uous resistance to the union, but soon the opposi- tion subsided and the king granted Baldwin the rich territories between the Scheldt and the Channel, thus making him one of the most powerful princes of the West. The counts of Flanders were worthy of the Iron Worthy Successors Baldwin, the terror of the Normans, and of Charle- Develop magne, the civilizer of barbarian Europe. They were men of foresight, who developed the resources of the country, especially the wool industry, and thus laid industry the foundation of the manufacturing and trading that made Flanders for 800 years the first land of north- ern Europe. Innumerable flocks of sheep covered the marshy seacoasts and the rich valleys of Flanders. Their breed was perfected so that the finest wool grew in the land ready for the manufacturer. Weav- ing was brought to perfection. All the trades per- taining to the manufacture of wool were in honor. Flanders became the seat of the wool industry — the basin of the Scheldt was the land of the broadcloth. Broad while the valleys of the Rhine, the Moselle, the- Garonne, produced wines for the world. Broadcloth was brought to such perfection that it rivaled the silks of India. 21 FLANDERS Masters Brought to England Commerce World-wide Trade Lively Port Beside wool, the Flemings cultivated flax, and became famous for their linen, and they are until to- day. The Englishmen come and buy the white flax of Flanders, which remains the best paying crop up to our own times. Envious of the prosperity of the Flemish factories, the kings of England offered fabulous sums to the Belgian weavers to draw those gold producers to their land, and they succeeded in transplanting the cream of the woolen industries into their land; first equaling, then eclipsing the Flemings. It was the foundation of English supremacy in manufacturing and trading. Such products would naturally find markets. But the enlightened counts of Flanders did everything to promote commerce and to draw the trade of Europe to the great seaport of Bruges. Far from exploiting the merchants, they gave them security and privileges, and thus they drew to their harbor the trade of the world. Mostly all the neighboring lands were still merely agricultural, without industries, when Flanders was renowned all over the world for her textures of wool and flax. Large cities sprang up on all sides and covered the land. Bruges was a Hanseatic metropolis open to the trade of Europe. She was the northern port of entry for long journey wares of the South. "Thither came for exchange the produce of the North and the South, the riches collected in the pil- grimages to Novgorod, and those brought over by the caravans from Samerkand and Bagdad, the pitch of Norway and the oils of Andalusia, the furs of Russia and the dates from the Atlas; the metals of 22 THE BELGIAN NATION Hungary and Bohemia, the figs of Granada, the honey of Portugal and the wax of Morocco and the spices of Egypt; 'whereby/ says an ancient manu- script, 'no land is to be compared in merchandise to the land of Flanders/ " Factories or privileged trading companies from sev- enteen kingdoms had settled there; twenty foreign ministers resided within the walls, and traders visited the fairs of Bruges from the remotest parts of the world. In a single day of i486, one hundred and fifty vessels arrived at Bruges from foreign lands. But the gradual silting up of the harbors on the Silting Up adjacent coast began to undermine the prosperity of ° the town towards the close of the fifteenth century, and its fall was accentuated by the rise of Antwerp and several inland cities in Belgium. Although for centuries Flanders was far ahead 9 ther .... States of the other principalities of the Netherlands, there were several other important states living their own individual life and growing in the development of their natural resources. Such were Brabant, Hainault, Liege, Luxemburg, Limburg, Holland and Gueldren. Struggles for Liberty Panorama. The industry and commerce of the Flemings was naturally carried on in towns ; and Flanders was cov- ered with cities. The manufacturing population were the makers and the masters of. the cities, and they en- joyed home rule. Charters were granted by their rulers, who were obliged to respect their rights and privileges: The town was called a commune or citv; it had its own Commune seal, a bell to convoke the citizens or burghers, and a belfrey to preserve the charter and to serve as watch- 23 FLANDERS Class Privileges Two Camps: Klauwaerts and Lilliards Citizens Defend Their Privileges Philip the Fair Tyrant tower and prison. It had the right to maintain troops and to build walls of defense. In opposition to the democracy stood the nobility and the rich merchants, who formed a patriciate. The fourteenth century saw the struggles of the common people, the manufacturing classes, against the aristocrats, composed of merchants, magnates and nobles, and led by the kings of France. The former followed the banner of Flanders; a black lion upon a golden field; and prided themselves on the name of Klauwaert, from the claws of the lion. The latter followed the French banner of the lilies, and they were called Lilliards and regarded as traitors by the patriotic Flemings. It was a national struggle for existence, for the kings of France were determined to confiscate Flanders to their crown. It was also a social struggle, for their followers in Flanders were the nobility and the aristocracy of wealth, who wished to rule and exploit Flanders as their fellows ruled and exploited France. The citizens of the towns arose in their numbers to vindicate, their political inde- pendence and their social rights. They fought for a century against the kings of France and their allies in Flanders. It is due to their struggles that the independence of the Belgian provinces has been maintained against the French cupidity; and that the rights of labor have been asserted and vindicated against the powerful kings of France. Philip the Fair, King of France, was one of the most faithless, tyrannical, revengeful and irreligious kings that ever reigned. It was he who, out of spite, broke up the temporary power of the Popes and cov- ered the great Pope Boniface VIII (1305) with such 24 tHE BELGIAN NATION brutal violence that it killed him. He imprisoned Guy of Dampiere, the Count of Flanders, on several Undermines occasions; he aroused his subjects against the count, Flanders and tried to enslave the Flemish. But they resisted his . Confiscates wiles and his violence and curbed his pride. He had imprisons fomented trouble between Count Guy and his people ; he cast in jail Guy's daughter to prevent her from marrying Edward I, the King of England. Finally, the Count was driven to despair and joined the forces of England, but he was betrayed by his ally and abandoned by the aris- tocracy among his subjects and was compelled to consti- tute himself a prisoner of the implacable Philip the Fair. The aged count was cast in jail and his estates were declared forfeited for the crime of felony and annexed to the crown of France. Philip proclaimed himself as count and lord of Flanders, 1301. When he made his solemn entry into Bruges, with his haughty queen, Joan of Navarre, she found herself eclipsed by the sumptuous customs of the ladies, and she exclaimed, full of spite: "I imagined myself alone to be queen, but I see hundreds of ladies more queenly than myself." The haughty Jacques de Chatillon was appointed governor and was supported by the Lilliards. Exac- tions and oppressions soon commenced; the walls of Bruges were blown up and a citadel built to keep the burghers in awe. The tyranny became so intol- erable that the Bruggelings burst out in a furious revolt, under Jan Breydel and Peter Deconinck. The Bruges- former was a man of Herculean strength, the dean of Decon1nck d the Butchers' guild; the latter a man of penetrating mind. The former was the brawn, the latter the brains of the insurrection. On May 17, 1302, all the 25 FLANDERS Liliiard French and the Lilliards were massacred and the city Executed wa s rid of its enemies. In the silence of the night Breydel crept with his butchers to the sentinels and cut them down as cat- tle. The motto, "Schild and Vriend," which a French- man could not pronounce without betraying his origin, was adopted to recognize the foreign oppres- sors. Soon the motto echoed all through the city, the people arose from their slumbers and all those with a foreign accent were hacked down. Many of the Lilliards were dragged out of their homes and executed by the indignant population. This terrible night was the beginning of liberation and it is called the Matins of Bruges, because the massacre con- tinued till daybreak as long as enemies were discovered. Four thousand five hundred enemies fell on that glo- rious day of national revenge. But Chatillon escaped with a few followers. The guilds of the towns and the sturdy peasantry stood up against the patricians and the French. All Flanders was soon in revolt, only a few cities remained in the hands of the enemy. Humiliated in his pride, Philip the Fair prepared a signal vengeance and called to arms the flower of his chivalry. Fifty thousand men entered Flanders to put down the revolt. First came the nobility of Artois, Champagne and Picardy; then a contingent sent by John of Avesnes, Count of Hainault, and a multitude of Lilliards; finally the mercenary troops formed by German horsemen, and Genoese cross- bowmen. That brilliant army was placed under the Army Enters skillful Robert of Artois, the brother of the King. F landers Courtrai was the object of attack and the Flemings, anxious for its defense, ranged themselves on the 26 THE BELGIAN NATION plain of Groeninghe, which was covered by a canal. They were led by young Guy and William, the grand- sons of the old count, and a few knights who dis- mounted to fight on equal terms with their fellows. It was a bold stand to take, for a small and unarmed crowd against the flower of French chivalry. About 20,000, armed only with piques, which they had em- ployed also as implements of husbandry, resolved to abide the contest with 8,000 knights of gentle blood, ' 10,000 archers and 30,000 foot soldiers. But they were standing for home, for life and liberty and they conquered against all expectation. The intrepid French general, impatient to conquer, launched his knights against the Flemish bands, but they plunged and perished into the canals — horses and riders to- gether, in one inextricable mass; and in their help- lessness they were slain without pity by the Flemings. When the canals were filled with corpses, the horse- men sank into the marshv soil and when that was finally covered, they met a solid iron line of the Flemish pikes. No Fleming quit his place, none made any prisoner. They cut all down without mercy. It had never been seen before that the victors refused ransom from the dismounted knights. Panic seized the French, who fled in disorder, and in the evening reached Tournay hungry and frightened, and sold their arms to the citizens for a morsel of bread. Upwards of 1,200 knights and 18,000 soldiers fell. Battle of the Robert of Artois and Chatillon fell in the battle. The GoIden Spurs victors collected 700 golden spurs, whence the famous battle has been known as the battle of the Golden Spurs. Philip had lost his most experienced generals and the flower of his troops, but he would not give up 27 FLANDERS Warfare Continued by Philip and Suc- cessors The Flemish Side With England Against France Jacob Van Artevelde his idea of enslaving the Flamings. During the next two years he strove hard to repair the disaster of Courtrai. He finally gained the upper hand in small engagements, but new armies of Flemings were formed and hastened to the relief of Lille, which the king was besieging. Seeing the obstinacy of these patriots, he exclaimed: "Does it, then, rain Flam- ings?" He concluded a treaty granting independ- ence to Flanders and restoring the old dynasty, 1305. The aged count had died in prison and his son Robert of Bethune ascended the throne of Flanders. But Philip imposed onerous war indemnities and refused to restore the cities he had captured. New wars broke out under him and his sons, and were repeated under Philip of Valois, but Flanders remained free. During the whole century the French continued their war against the Belgians to subdue and enslave them, and they interfered in the quarrels between the counts and their subjects. Ghent: The Van Artevelde. During the hundred years' war between England and France, Belgium sided mostly with the English, from whom they received the wool for their factories. More- over the French kings had not ceased to attack Flanders, which was glad to have an ally against the insatiable neighbors of the south. The count of Flanders, Louis of Nevers, was a French sympathizer and took the side of the new Valois Dynasty. From L. Van der Essen: A Short History of Belgium "At this juncture appeared Jacques Van Artevelde, a man great in Belgian history. He was a member of one of the patrician families, wealthy, and much re- 28 THE BELGIAN NATION spected. In 1338 he became captain of the municipal army of Flanders and soon found himself even more powerful than the Count. When the English delegates, sent by Edward III to win Flanders to his cause, arrived in the country, they visited Artevelde as the real leader of public opinion. "Although sympathetic to the English cause, Artevelde Neutral partly fearing the resentment of the French King and partly wishing to prevent his country from becoming the battlefield of the hostile armies, first tried the policy of neutrality. He confined himself to assuring England of his friendship, thinking that this would suffice to win for Flanders the commercial advantage it needed. "But he could not remain neutral; he had to choose Sides With between the belligerents. That was a delicate and. dan- ng an gerous task, for the Flemings faced a conflict between their commercial interest and their duty toward their feudal lord, the King of France. Artevelde, 'the wise man of Ghent/ acted cleverly. On his suggestion, Edward III declared himself to be the true king of France, for he was the grandson of Philip the Fair through his mother, whereas Philip of Valois was only the nephew of the former ruler. The Flemings, easily convinced by these claims, put their scruples aside, and accepted the idea of the Anglo-Flemish alliance. The French fleet was destroyed by the English at L'Ecluse (1340), but Tournai was vainly besieged by the Anglo- Flemish forces. Artevelde became more and more the confidant of the English King, who called him mis fellow 1 and highly appreciated his shrewd diplomacy. "The power of the 'wise man of Ghent' soon aroused Ca i ummated the jealousy of many, and was greatly endangered when the English King, annoyed by the reluctance of the 29 BRABANT Killed Philip Van A rtevelde Fisrhts Louis of Maele Flemings to conclude with him a complete treaty of alliance, suddenly abandoned his claims and left his allies in the lurch. A sudden outburst of hostility put an end to Artevelde's career. His enemies informed the people that he had favored England too much, that he had given the treasure of Flanders to the English King, and that he intended to offer the crown to the Prince of Wales. Only the last charge was true. But the people, stirred up by demagogues who had planned the fall of the 'wise man,' believed what they were told.- A furious mob attacked the house of Artevelde. While he was trying to persuade them that he was falsely accused, he was overpowered and ignominiously slain (1345). 'The poor exalted him, the wicked killed him/ that is the epitaph written by Froissart, his political adversary, in honor of the greatest Flaming of all times." The Ghentenaers aroused most all of Flanders against Louis III of Maele, the new count, who called the king of France to his rescue. They chose as their leader Philip von Artevelde, son of Jacob, who, however, was beaten and perished at the battle of Roosebeke. Thus the Van Artevelde, Jacob and Philip, father and son, made treaties with England, where most of their trading was done. They undertook fierce struggles against the French kings and saved their land from France and their liberties from the encroachments of the nobles. Franchises of the People All Over Belgium Joyeuse Entree in Brabant. "The consequences of the battle of the Golden Spurs cannot be overestimated. . . . The victory saved the national independence of Flanders and practically prevented the political absorption of the other Belgian 30 THE BELGIAN NATION principalities by Philip the Fair. . . . It also con- Charters of firmed the victory of the democratic elements over the of Liege Patricians in Flanders The craftsmen of Liege in the same year, and under the influence of the de- feat of the Flemish Patricians . . .. inaugurated a re- volt against the Patricians of their own city. After many years of bloody struggle, they succeeded in wresting from the Bishop, Prince Adolph de la Marck, the Peace of Fexhe, that practically founded the liberties of Liege, . . . which was safeguarded by the tribunal of the XXII." Brabant All through Belgium the craftsmen made successful revolts and secured forever valuable franchises and privileges. "One of the most famous privileges, won by the people during the communal struggles of the fourteenth century, is that called the joyeuse entree of Brabant (1354-56). o/tfJe 3 * 10118 According to the stipulations of that charter of liberty, ^tree 6 the territory of the Duchy was to remain undivided and undiminished; the seven important cities of Brabant were to keep in their common possession the documents con- taining the municipal liberties; no offensive war was to be waged, no treaty concluded, no inch of territory ceded, no coin made, without the consent of the subjects. Com- merce was to be free and only legal taxes were to be imposed. The Duke undertook to care for the safety of the roads, to protect his people from arrest in foreign countries, to keep peace between the Rhine and the Meuse and to respect the treaties concluded with Flanders and Liege. No native of Brabant might prose- cute a fellow-countryman before a foreign court. The Duke himself was to be subject to the laws of the Duchy." 31 WALLOONS Progress Not Uniform Luxemburg People Backward But Dukes Prominent Namur and Hainault Southwestern Group Brabant Controls Central Belgium Expands to Rhine Struggle for Self Government Kept Up Before any Duke could enter a city, he had to swear to observe every stipulation of the joyeuse entree. "The development of civic freedom and the spirit of democracy" existed mostly in industrial centers. . "In the more agricultural regions of the country, they were less in evidence or were introduced much later and they did not make such an impression on the life of the people." In the mountains and woods of Luxemburg, there was little political progress among the people. How- ever the Dukes were conspicuous enough to be elected emperors of Germany for about a century. The countries of Namur and Hainault were in close contact with Flanders and shared in its development. Moreover, the counts of Hainault were also counts of Holland. That made a great southwestern group of Belgium, which was most subject to French influence. The Dukes of Brabant were the power of Central Belgium ; their domains comprehending Dutch and Bel- gian Brabant and the marquisat of Antwerp. When the dynasty of Limburg became extinct, Bra- bant claimed it, so did Prince Henry of Luxemburg, who won several allies. But the Duke of Brabant routed them at Woeringen on the Rhine, 1288; took possession of Limburg and thus got control of the countries between the Meuse and the Rhine. They reached the Scheldt on the west. Louvain was their capital, whilst Bruxelles was made the capital by the Dukes of Burgundy. The Belgians continued their fight for self-govern- ment under all subsequent regimes, even those of the glorious dukes of Burgundy and the illustrious Haps- burg, Kiaiser Karl. On account of the great works and 32 THE BELGIAN NATION endeavors for the building up of a powerful Netherlands those princes put heavy taxes upon their subjects without consulting them, and every time they violently rebelled against such encroachments ; as an example of these up- risings the story of the Franchimontois is here given. LIEGE THE CAPITAL OF THE WALLOON COUNTRY Lamed- Wilier t. "Liege. lies on the borderland of the French and Ger- man speaking races. It was the capital of an ecclesias- tical principality, whose territory extended some distance up the river and over the wooded ridges and green val- leys of the Ardennes. The town had originally sprung up round the tomb of St. Lambert — a shrine much fre- quented by pilgrims. The Prince-Bishop of Liege was E . co ^ the vassal of the emperor, but his subjects had long con- Principality sidered the kings of France their natural protectors. It was in France that they found a market for their manu- factures, from France that pilgrims came to the tomb of St. Lambert or to the sylvan shrine of St. Hubert. Difference of language and rivalry in trade separated them from their Dutch speaking neighbors. We hear, as early as the loth century, of successful attempts on the part of the people of Liege, supported and directed by Democracy their bishops, to subdue the lords of the castles in their neighborhood. A population of traders, artizans, and miners were unlikely to submit to the pretensions of a feudal aristocracy. Nor was there a burgher oligarchy, as in many of the Flemish and German towns. Every citizen was eligible to office if he could obtain a majority of the votes of the whole male population. Constitutional' limits were imposed on the power of the bishop; but he was the sole fountain of law and justice. By- suspend- 33 LIEGE Struggles for ing their administration he could paralyse the social life of the State, and by his interdicts annihilate its religious life. Yet the burghers were involved in perpetual dis- putes with their bishop. When the power of the Dukes of Burgundy was established in the Low Countries, it was to them the latter naturally applied for assistance against their unruly flock. John the Fearless defeated the citizens with great slaughter in 1408. He himself reckoned the number of slain at 25,000. In 143 1 Liege was compelled to pay a fine of 200,000 crowns to the Duke of Burgundy." Heroic Death of the Franchimontois at Liege. The Walloons were as zealous of their liberties as the Flemings, and fought for same every time these were attacked. An example of their incomparable spirit is shown in the heroic stand that 600 Franchimontois made Th f w a §" a i nst their powerful Duke Charles the Reckless, at montois Wal- Liege, October 29, 1468. A revolt had been fomented in defenders Liege by the perfidious king of France, Louis XI, against 1 erty y g J3 erie f ac tor and his guest, Duke of Burgundy, Charles the Reckless. Liege was the city of the Meuse, which had grown up under the prince-bishops and carried on a thriving metallurgical and manufacturing industry, spreading into the picturesque valley, studded with mag- nificent buildings, among Which the towers of the Cathe- Liege the dral of St. Lambert reached the height of the surround- Capital of . , , rr Meuse ing bluffs. The powerful duke hastened to Liege with two large arm'ies, dragging with him the perfidious Louis XL He camped at the gate of St. Walburge upon the bluffs that command the city from the north, and below at the gates of St. Leonard. Resistance with hope of success was out of question. Charles could destroy the town 34 THE BELGIAN NATION and exterminate the people. He was furious on account City at » . Mercy of the treacherous action of the French' king. The of uuke fortifications had been razed, The citizens had neither ammunition nor weapons, and were at the mercy of the exasperated monarch. G. Kurth. Abrege Hist. Belgiquc, p. 60. Translation. "Moved by a sublime despair, one of the Lie^eoi^ Daring chiefs, the valiant Tosse de Strouilhe, planned a last and daring attempt. The scheme was to take advantage of the darkness of the night to penetrate stealthily into the Burgundian camp and to ravish the duke (with his ^° fhike 1Se guest) or to kill him in the midst of his army. Mean- a * Night while the few remaining defenders of the city of Lieee would fall upon the two camps of St. Walburce and St. Leonard. There was hope that the enemy army, sur- prised in its sleep, and deprived of its leader and at- tacked on all sides, might be easily stampeded into a rout. u To execute the boldest part of this plan, men were required who could not be frightened by anything. Six hundred men of the country of Franchimont offered themselves. Gliding from the heights of St. Margaret to the gulch of Fond Girette, they scaled afterwards the abrupt rocks, upon which the ducal army was camping. As they expected, they found on this side the enemy army, in complete rest. Preceded by their scouts they penetrated from the rear into the Burgundian camp ; and arrived near the quarters occupied by the duke and the Penetrate king. They were reaching their goal; within a few Headquarters moments they were to realize their bold stroke. "But the washerwomen, who were grouped around a fire, recognized by their Liegeois accent, the scouts, who ^^co^ed had slipped among them and pretended to be Burgundian sentinels, that were just relieved of duty. They gave 35 LIEGE Awful Con- fusion, Des- perate Fight Terrible Havoc Prosperity Internal and External Struggles As In Ancient Greece Neglect of Waterways the alarm instead of making straight for the ducal quarter ; the assailants lost time hesitating between that and those of French Duke of Alencon. That saved Charles the Reckless. His guards awoke and had time to arm themselves, and likewise those of the king of France. "When the Liegeois made the assault of the two head- quarters, it was too late. The fray, however, was a ter- rible combat, carried on in torch light, with extreme confusion. The enemy did not know against whom they were fighting; the Burgundians were afraid of a new treason plot of the French king and the Liegeois heroes purposely kept up the illusion crying, Vive the king, Vive la France! Meanwhile the enemy discovered how few were their assailants. Surrounded on all sides, the brave defenders continued to- fight with an indomit- able courage, but finally all of them perished. If they did not have the pleasure to save their city, they had the glory to die for it." Splendor and Decline of the Communes. The communes had reached the apogee of power and wealth in the fourteenth century, but their very pros- perity brought quarrels between the aristocratic and the laboring class of the cities and also among the neighboring cities. It was the case of the mighty Greek cities of old who warred among themselves and fought those great wars of the Peloponnesus, of which the Greek historians give us so splendid an account. While Bruges and Ghent and other cities were quarrelling among themselves, in- stead of keeping open the great waterways to the sea they allowed them to be silted up, and they lost their 36 THE BELGIAN NATION commerce and industry, which were eagerly seized by England and by Antwerp. Thus Bruges, the great Belgian seaport of the Middle Eclipse of Ages, was cut off from her ocean canal communication. ruge ' Antwerp on the deep Scheldt took its place. The statesmanship of the Burgundian dynasty put an Dukes" ian end to these local rivalries, and inaugurated a national ^i^Cities policy, 'wherein the interests of the ancient cities were „ , r J 1 Make not only safeguarded but also promoted and not only Belgium a maritime Flanders, but the whole of Belgium became a Country world power and the richest country of the times. IV PERIOD REUNION OF PRINCIPALITIES Burgundy -Net her lands 1 36 J Reunion of Belgian and Holland Principalities, During the Middle Ages, particularism was the rule Feudal in Europe; i. e., the division in many fiefs. It was espe- i^ tlcu ar ~ daily pronounced where the people had made more prog- ress, as in the ancient territory of Belgium; which had no less than seventeen principalities. Spirit of However, those political divisions did not destroy the p™gf sts spirit of national unity that animated those countries at all times. That helped the Burgundian Dukes to unite under their sceptre the many states, that had belonged to dif- ferent houses, and to reconstruct ancient Belgium. Addition of Burgundian Domains. These Lords possessed moreover some of the Burgund- ^dd* T^*" 8 ian countries, which formed a part of ancient Lotharingia, or the Middle Kingdom that lay between France and Restores Germany in the ninth century. Lotharingia The French people being united into a compact u n in cat i ori kingdom eager to expand, the Netherland principal- Necessary . . ' Before ities would be absorbed unless they were united into Aggressive one vigorous state able to resist the attacks of a 37 UNION PERIOD Effected Through States- men Mostly by Peaceful Diplomacy Philip the Good Dynasty Allied to Royal and Imperial Houses Centralizing Policy Resisted Franchises Respected Generous Co- operation from a Free People powerful aggressive neighbor. The unification of seventeen states separated for many centuries would require skillful diplomacy rarely found in the course of history. But it was found in the gifted dukes of Burgundy uniting the distinguished houses of Flan- ders and Valois. Through a series of marriages, negotiations and campaigns they succeeded in bring- ing together principalities which for centuries had been rivals of one another. It was especially through peaceful diplomacy that these great statesmen suc- ceeded in uniting the provinces that in ancient times had been one, and that naturally go together. Philip the Good was the most successful among all of them; his son Charles the Fearless was the only one that had recourse to arms to round off his domains and he perished by the sword. The dukes of Burgundy through their own rights were the equals of the great monarchs of the times and their male descendant? might have been elected as em- perors of Germany if they had lived long enough. Their female descendants married into the noble royal family of Spain and into the imperial house of the Hapsburgs and their descendants ruled Germany for five centuries. Such master rulers would naturally establish a strong government and they concentrated many powers in their hands; following the policy of the times which was one of centralization. In this they met with unyielding opposition from the peoples that had enjoyed valuable franchises for centuries and they learned how to respect those cherished rig-fits and obtained all the more the sincere cooperation of sub- jects, who being left free in their local affairs made the greatest of sacrifices to build up the power of their progressive dukes. 38 THE BELGIAN NATION Data in the Reunion of All the Netherlands. Phillip the Bold, 1364- 1404, of the French house of Valois, Duke of Burgundy, marries Margaret of Flan- the Bold ders, who held the Burgundies and Artois from her former husband, 1384, and inherits Flanders from her Marries father. Philip purchases Charolais from the Armagnacs, panders i. e., Bernard, the father-in-law of the Duke of Orleans, regent for the mad king of France. John the Fearless, 1404-19, opposed by duke of Orleans, murders him, 1407, is proclaimed an enemy of the state, occupies Paris, supported by Henry IV of England. In the second period of hundred years' war, he liberates the queen of France, Isabella of Bavaria ; coalesces with her and con- quers a great part of France, 141 7, obtains possession of king's person, is murdered at Montereau by Orlean- ists, 1419. Philip the Good, 141 9- 1467. 1430, marries Isabella phili of Portugal. He is called "the founder of Belgium" by the Good Tuste Lips because he did the most for the unification of 1 tS i ■ • The the Belgian provinces. Founder To avenge his father, who was murdered by the Alliance French, Philip concludes the treaty of Troy with the English English, 1420. Henry V of England married Cath- erine, daughter of Charles VI, and became regent and heir to France; his brother married Philip's sister. 1423, siege of Orleans, raised by Joan of Arc, who is captured by Burgundians at Compiegne, 1430, and burnt by English, 143 1. 1424, marriage- Jacoba of Hainault to Gloucester of England. Philip the Good withdraws from English. 1432, treaty with Charles VI. Philip receives Auxerre, Macon, Peronne, Montdidier, and towns of Somme, is released from feudal homage, besieges Calais. Philip buys Namur, 1421-29, inherits Brabant and Lim- 39 UNION PERIOD Fickle Jacoba of Hainault Heavy Taxes Anger Subjects Revolts Quelled Treachery of Louis XI Established Powerful Monarchy burg after first cousins, John IV and Philip, 1430. Ja- coba of Hainault had left John IV and married Glou- cester, 1424, who invades Hainault, Jacoba is cap- tured by Burgundians, escapes, fights till 1428; cedes states in 1433, after remarriage surrenders Holland, Zea- land, Friesland and Hainault. Philip purchases Luxem- burg from Elizabeth Gorlitz, 1444. Son Charles heads League of Public Weal in France against overbearing Louis XL All those great works and enterprises, those polit- ical unions, required a vast amount of capital, and heavy taxes were levied, without due considerations of the local franchises, which aroused the people to rebellion. Revolt of Bruges, 1437, of Ghent, 1448-53 on account of tax on salt — conquered. Charles the Rash, 1467-77, last great figure of the Middle Ages: physical strength and energy, lofty ambition, terrible passion, indomitable obstinacy, in- satiable vengeance. Object I — To fight absolutism of Louis XI of France, royal trickster, universal spider. As Dauphin or crown prince Louis, unbearable at home, had been received at the Burgundian court, but he turned against his host. He aroused the cities of Liege and Dinant against him, and created all kinds of trouble. Object 2 — To con- solidate his countless and opulent estates into a mid- dle monarchy that would keep France and Germany apart. In 1465 as Count of Charolais, he headed League of Public Weal, with duke of Brittany and 500 nobles, to resist encroachments of Louis XI — battle of Monterey, siege of Paris; treaty of Conflans gives Normandy to king's brother, gives Somme towns and 40 THE BELGIAN NATION Guienne to Charles, 1468. . But declaration of states general, that it is illegal for the crown to dismember the realm. Marriage of Charles to Margaret, sister of Edward IV of England. Louis XI excites Liege and Dinant to revolt, and meets Charles at Perrone who compels him to accompany him to witness the destruction of those cities, 1469. Ghent had also revolted and was awed into submission. Treatv ' of Perrone declared invalid by assembly of notables — war 1471-72; peace of Senlis. 1472, rescue and occupation of Guelderland. 1473, negotiations with Frederic IV, for royal crown, broken off — intends an attack on Cologne to help Bishop ruler — besieges Neuss. 1469, Sigismund of Tyrol pawns Alsace Breisgau, Alsace Rhenish towns in Switzerland, to Charles : strong and Bought" severe Peter Von Hagenbach made governor of Alsace, is killed but revenged by slaughter and devastation. Sigismund joins confederates and Louis XL The Swiss rout Charles' army, and ravage Franche war Comte. The Lorraines (Rene) devastate Luxemburg, s^f s mst Imperialists war with him. 1476," Charles conquers Lorraine from Rene, he rashly invades Switzerland, is beaten at Granson and Morat by Swiss and Rene of Lorraine; 1477, slain in battle at Nancy. Mary of Burgundy, 1477-82, Maximilian of Austria. Marv erants confirmation of franchises or Grote priv- Privileges to : fe . Holland ilege to Holland. No man shall fill two offices ; no for- Confirmed eigner shall hold office. No foreign language used. Diets are free. Empty treasury — invasion of duchy of Bur- gundy, threatening the counties of Artois and Picardy by Louis XI, as lapsed fiefs. The spirited duchess of a 41 UNION PERIOD Louis XI Attacks Maximilian Defends Revolts of Flemings French Intrigues Italian Wars Spanish Marriages Regent Aunt Makes Peace masculine character marries the "last knight " Maxi- milian, 1477, who beats French at Guinegate. Duchy of Burgundy given up to France. Mary falls off a horse, dies, leaves Philip and Margaret. Philip the Handsome, 1482- 1506. Regency of Maxi- milian, 1482-93. Wealth and refinement of Flanders contrasted with German poverty, restlessness, etc. The Flemings seize the person of the archduke, but they are forced to yield by campaigns of 1484-85. He is confided to Margaret of York, Dowager of Burgundy. In i486, Maximilian becomes king of the Romans. Bruges, fearing the interference of German garrisons, arrests Maximilian and keeps him in jail for three months. Emperor Frederic brings army, and grants amnesty. The Dauphin was betrothed to a princess of Bur- gundy, but marries Ann of Brittany. As she was af- fianced to Maximilian, he leagues with Henry VII of England 1491 : Artois and Franche Comte restored. In Italy Maximilian joins the Sforza; he invests Ludovico Sforza with aukedom of Milan ; Emperor in 1493. 1495, league with Ferdinand, Italy and Pope to expel Charles VIII, king of France, out of Naples. In 1496 and 1497 Spanish marriages: Philip and Joanna. Margaret and Juan. Philip refuses the Great Privilege, but recognizes other franchises. Charles V, 1 506-1 555. Maximilian regent, ap- points Aunt Margaret, who concludes peace with France. He enters Holy Alliance against French conquerors of Italy, with Henry VIII puts French to flight at battle of the spurs at Guinegate. 15 12, Netherlands are formed in Burgundian circle of empire. 42 THE BELGIAN NAT 10 X Glory and Wealth of the Whole Country. Under the Dukes of Burgundy, 1 384-1479, and the Hapsburgs, 1479-1555, Belgium was the first land of Europe. Philip the Bold, the brother of Charles V, king of France, became duke of Burgundy after the extinction of the Capetian dynasty in Philip of Rouvre, who was married to Margaret of Male. By his marriage to the same Margaret of Male, the daugh- ter of Louis II, last count of Flanders, Philip became also the lord of Flanders. The dukes of Burgundy formed, after the kings of France, the most distinguished branch of the royal house of the Valois. They soon reunited the prov- inces of ancient Belgium. It was the sagacity of the third duke of Burgundy that mostly effected that restoration. Philip the Good, 1419-1467, was the most opulent prince of his time. He was the patron of arts and let- ters. He held his court at Bruges and supported a colony of artists which made of Bruges the museum of the Nord. Gorgeous styles prevailed; gold, silver and jewels abounded on all sides. The woolen indus- tries were so important that Philip established the Order of the Golden Fleece on the occasion of his marriage with Isabella of Portugal, thus honoring the great woolen industries, the source of Belgian greatness. It was the first official recognition of the power and rights of labor. The great order of the rising state had for emblem not some powerful fierce animal in threat, but the meek lamb, and its valuable wool — the source of Belgium's wealth and industry. . Mary of Burgundy, the granddaughter of Philip the Good, married the scion of the Hapsburgs, Maxi- milian, who became emperor of Germany. Their 43 Royal Marriages Unite Belgium Splendor of Bruges Order of Golden Fleece Recognition of Labor DIVISION OF NETHERLANDS Imperial Marriages Charles V Emperor Of Old and New World Native City Rebels — Is Punished National Hero children married to the children of the great Isabella the Catholic, who, with Ferdinand the Catholic, united Spain in one monarchy, drove the Mohamme- dan Moors into Africa and made possible to Colum- bus the discovery of America. Emperor • Charles V was the grandson of Isabella and the son of Philip of Burgundy and Joanna of Spain, and 1 he seemed to unite in his blood the noble qualities of the counts of Flanders, the Hapsburg rulers and the Spanish war- riors. He was born in Ghent and loved to call him- self a burgher of that opulent commonwealth. He was proud of his city of Ghent and he used to say jokingly of the capital of France, that he could put her in his grand Gant, which means glove in French: "Je mettrai Paris dans mon Gant !" In spite of the pride they had in their fellow citizen, Kaiser Karl, the Ghen- tenaers refused to pav the heavy taxes laid upon them and rebelled against him. But he hastened from Spain to reduce the rebels and did not hesitate to punish his fellow citizens, 1539. Charles was the world ruler of his day. It was under him that America was con- quered and added to the dominions of his house. He was the first white man who ruled America. So there was a time that the ruler of Belgium, a Belgian born prince, was also the ruler of the new world. He con- fided important positions of his empire to the sturdy sons of Belgium. Charles V is the national hero of the Belgians. The memory of "Kaiser Karl" lives until today among the people more than that of any other prince of past centuries. Under Charles V Antwerp was perhaps the most prosperous and wealthy city of Europe, surpassing even Venice itself. The broad and deep Scheldt makes 44 THE BELGIAN NATION one of the best soft water harbors in the world, Antwerp: ' Sea Port where, without expense, the sea-going vessels are Metropolis cleansed from the barnacles that grow on them in the ocean. It penetrates sixty miles into the continent and forms the natural seaport of the best part of western Europe. Napoleon understood so well its importance that he constructed there the finest docks of the times, which excite admiration until today. Modern History FOURTEENTH-TWENTIETH CENTURIES In modern ages the Belgians, who for centuries had enjoyed a monopoly of trade in Northern Europe, suffered a commercial eclipse under foreign regimes, to rise again a free nation and to retake their ancient rank among the progressive peoples of Europe. In Northern continental Europe, Belgium alone re- mained faithful to the ancient church. But it paid dearly tor its adhering to its own conviction and refusing to fo r cr co C n- S side in with the violent reformers. It was persecuted science ' Sake and injured for the faith that it professed, but it re- mained unshaken in its religion and finally obtained its freedom of worship. But the material loss was sustained for the noblest of causes; for the liberty of conscience. It was to assert their belief in their ancient religion that the Belgians separated from the rest of Northern Europe, which took a new form of Christianity and boycotted them because they followed the dictates of their conscience and stood Commercial firm in the midst of chanp-ine- beliefs. Whatever a Ecll P se o o man may think of the different forms of Christianity he must give credit to those who have the courage to sacrifice their material interests for what they deem their spiritual good. 45 FOREIGN REGIMES Struggles in 1830 1914-18 Contrast Between Statesmen V"c<-'m of Holland 111 1830 the Belgians fought themselves free and they prospered again and they soon took back their ancient place in the commerce of the world ; before two genera- tions of independence had passed, they were the fifth nation in the volume of world trade. When the modern militarists were on their way to the conquest of the world, the Belgians again became crusaders for liberty. They sacrificed their land that "the world might be a fit place to live in." It is true they are paralyzed. for a generation to come — the Yzer country is in worse condition than Caesar found it — because it is a desert and the sea water is coverin " the fat meadows of its valley. But the Belgians are free and so is the world. FIFTH PERIOD! 1556-183O. FOREIGN REGIME, COMMERCIAL ECLIPSE Spanish Domination. The Rtirsaind i "an princes had shown real statesman- ship bv unitine the Netherlands together in one powerful state able to defend itself against aggressive nei^hborq. William of Orange showed himself their enemy bv divid- ing* them in two, mostlv to satisfv his own ambition. If William was astute in his plans he was unscrupulous in the execution and sowed religious dissensions in the country, in order to work out his own aggrandizement. Belgium was the special victim of Holland, which closed her rivers and stopped her sea trade, and she suf- fered a commercial eclipse that lasted over two hundred years. Belgium became the prey of the French King Louis XIV, who sliced off her southern domains and made no less than five wars of conquest on her territory. 46 THE BELGIAN NATION Principal Causes of the Division of Belgium and Holland 1. Absenteeism. Philip II. It is with Philip II that commences that inefficient government of the Belgian provinces by absentee rulers, who did not understand the Absentee situation. However able and practical the governors uninformed appointed might be, they were only deputies or substi- Belated tutes lacking the personal authority of a sovereign who never visited his distant subjects. The country remained Leave Land open to the machinations of its enemies whether inside or Revolts and outside. Ambitious princes found it possible to sow dis- sensions in the land, and even detach parts of it from the sovereign. Hostile neighbors could invade and sub- jugate whole provinces before the main power found time to send defenders to the hitherto abandoned country. 2. Intrigues and Violence. Attacks v s William of Orange cut off the tie that united Hoi- Int £f>?r s fe m of William land to Spain, and organized an aggressive republic the Silent which became powerful and proved itself an enemy Belgium r i -r-, 1 • 1 1 1 • 11 • Used as a of the Belgians by closing their rivers, and shutting Subject them out of the sea trade. The Belgian provinces were oun ry treated as a dependency of Holland, to be exploited by the Hollanders, until they could be dismembered and an- nexed without provoking European wars. However, the Belgian people concentrated as it were within their narrow boundaries, developed their fields and, their mines and grew in numbers and in wealth. Data in Division and Wars. Philip II, 1556-1598, Absentee Ruler. Withdraws Chronicles to Spain, appointing his sister Margaret of Parma as 47 FOREIGN REGIMES Plots of William the Silent Great Generals : Alva Requesens Farnese Victories Confedera- tion of Arras Union of Utrecht Permanent Division Independ- ence governess, Cardinal Granvelle, archbishop of Mechelin, and new bishoprics to defend the faith. Plots of William the Silent: petitions against the Cardinal — violence and vandalism of' fanatical Calvinists. Duke of Alva, 1567-73, comes with army, establishes a tribunal of troubles against the agitators. Requesens, 1573 — conquers, but unpaid soldiers pillage and retal- iate. Pact or pacification of Ghent to drive away the foreigners — 1578-92. Farnese takes the cities, conquers all enemlies, fights English (Armada) and Huguenots. Violences of Protestants provoke the Walloons, who form with the Flattnings the confederation of Arras for the de- fense of their faith. The northern provinces form the union of Utrecht under William of Orange, feigned offer of sovereignty to foreign princes — Belgian Prot- estants and merchants are drawn to move to Hol- land, which thus acquired the restless and aggressive population of the south and drained the resources of Belgium. Republic of the United Provinces of Holland, 1579; Belgian Provinces under Spain, 1579-17 13. Farnese, 1578-92, was an invincible general, who beat all the disturbers of the peace, and all the enemies of the state. Albert, 1 598-1 621, and Isabella, 1633, Sovereigns. Loss: Nieuport, and gain: Ostend — truce; 1624. Hol- land and France make a partition treaty about Belgium and attack same. Belgium was the cockpit of Europe at all times, but especially in the long struggle between the Hapsburgs and the Bourbons for the possession of fertile Belgium. In 50 years, ten great battles were fought on its soil. Five wars of conquest by Louis XIV. During his minority the thirty years' war was continued against 48 THE BELGIAN NATION Spain and prolonged till 1657. The victor}- at the Dunes J nsa - tia xiv secured Artois, etc. Louis XIV himself carried on five Five Wars wars of conquest against the coalitions of Europe. of Conquest I. 1661-64, Devolution war, twelve Belgian cities cap- tured. II. 1671-72, Holland invaded, digues' broken, inundation, Belgium the theater of war. Coalition. Franche Comte allowed. III. War, 1680. Chamber of reunion claim historical dependencies, Strasburg, Lorraine. IV. War. 1688. Grand Alliance organized by William II — French win at Fleurus, Steenkerke, but William beats the Irish at the Boyne. To gain the good will of Charles the king of Spain, Louis signs the treaty of Peace of Ryswick, 1679, keeping only Alsace Franche Comte, and eighty-two reunited places. Holland garrisons in Belgian cities. V. Spanish succession war against Austria, 1701- 13. 1st period: Philip seizes Spain, French beaten at Hoechstadt and Audenarde by Eugene of Savoy and Marlborough. Louis negotiates for peace. 2nd period: 1708, routed at Malplaquet Louis signs treaty of Utrecht, 1713. Belgium given to Austria. Barrier cities in south Belgium. Garrisoned by Hollanders. Austrian Domination, 171 3-1 794. Belgium is completely shut off from all international Belgium Isolated relations. A special treaty between Holland and Austria was added to the treaty of Utrecht, granting the Dutch the right to garrison Belgian cities .as a protection against France, whence it was called the Barrier Treaty. Gar- risoned in the south by Holland troops as a defense against French aggression, shut in from the north by the Holland frontiers which closed the navigation of. the rivers, Belgium was excluded from all commerce with 49 KINGDOM OF BELGIUM General Company Suppressed Mary Theresa Popular Son unpopular Revolution Defense of Religion Mary Theresa, attached to the succession war. the outside world. But she went developing her national resources, and growing in population. Locked in within her own borders, Belgium concen- trated her efforts in the development of her own re- sources. After a century she was strong enough to shake off the Holland yoke and to establish her own independence. In 1723 a general company of commerce was founded to develop Belgian trade, but it was sup- pressed at the reclamation of England and Holland; the latter paying for the suppression of a competing company. 1740-80. The Belgians remained Hapsburg, during the Austrian Mary Theresa and her brother Charles of Lorraine the governor were very popular among the Belgians. Her son, Joseph II, 1780-90, was very unpopular on account of his meddling in ecclesiastical affairs. The suppression of the dio- cesan seminaries and the erection of a general semi- nary, to be taught by philosophical professors, pro- voked a revolution which proclaimed the independence of the United Belgian States, 1790. Joseph's brother Leo- pold II, 1790, won the Belgians back by returning their franchises. French Domination 1794-1814. The farmers resisted the devastating hordes of the French infidels in Flanders, the Kempen and Luxemburg and they preserved most of their churches from desecration. Belgium was again the battlefield of Europe, during the revolutionary and Napoleonic wars. 50 THE BELGIAN NATION It is on her soil that the first, the greatest number A Batt i e . and the last battles were fought. ' field The Scheldt was opened to commerce. Napoleon made of Antwerp the most commodious seaport of Antwerp Europe as a rival to Hamburg or London. Dutch Domination — 1815-30. In order to give the Orange dynasty a share in the redistribution of European lands and to oppose a firm barrier to new French invasions, Belgium was Barrier united to Holland in one kingdom without having A gafn S t m been consulted in the matter. France William I, 1815-30, king of Holland, was a narrow and stubborn autocrat, who treated the Belgians as a conquered people, and lost them through his Taxa- persecutions. He imposed enormous taxes on the tion Ostracis- Belgians to pay Holland's debts; he made the knowl- Walloons edge of Dutch obligatory to all governmental officials, which excluded the Walloons from holding govern- mental offices. He persecuted the clergy (Bishop deBroglie) and attacked the liberty of the press. In the year 1828, a union was formed between the Wal- Attack on loons and the Flemings to defend their liberty ; peti- J^ ber & of tions were made to the king for the redress of griev- Education , . - . , Press ances, which received no answer. Petitions In September, 1830, Bruxelles barricaded itself Re volutlon against the Holland troops and drove them to the Park, then away from the city. VI PERIOD. INDEPENDENT KINGDOM OF BELGIUM, 183OI918 Independent But Mutilated Belgium, 1830. The London conference recognized the independ- ence of Belgium as an accomplished fact. King Wil- Peacc Ham stubbornly refused to recognize it, his armies 51 KINGDOM OF BELGIUM 1838 Cession of Two Half Provinces Liberty of Conscience in Catholic Belgium Strife of Political Parties invaded Belgium, and advanced until they were re- pelled by the French; the following year General Chasse was driven out of Antwerp. It was only in 1838 that William agreed to recognize the independ- ence of Belgium, on condition to give up to him the half of Limburg and the half of Luxemburg. What right did he ever possess over any part of Belgium, but the favor of the autocratic congress of Vienna, which sacrificed the interests of nations to the interests of dynasties? Accustomed from the past centuries to hold rivers and territories from their southern neighbors, the Hollanders refused to give up Limburg and Luxem- burg, which were in Belgian hands and which are evident Belgian territory. To arrive at a temporary peace and settlement, the Belgians gave up for a time those territories, thinking that some day, time and circumstances will restore their lands. Belgium, a Catholic people, had expelled a Protes- tant king, who tyrannized over conscience, now elected another Protestant king, who was a cham- pion of religious liberty, to-wit: Leopold of Saxe- Coburg. It inscribed liberty as the corner stone oi its constitution. After centuries of foreign rule, it was finally allowed to rule itself, and it gave to all its citizens the fullest right of self-development: it grew and prospered and took a remarkable place among the nations of the world. Two political parties arose in Belgium — the Cath- olic and ,the Liberal, the former being conservative, the other fluctuating. Both are progressive and their strife is often lively. The king forms a useful bal- 52 THE BELGIAN NATION ance of power between the parties. Of late the Socialists have taken the lead among the Liberals. Bruxelles, the bilingual capital, soon became a center of arts and finances. Superior Dynasty. Belgium was happy in the choice of a dynasty, that dS 8176 was to raise it in less than a century to a prosperity equaling that of the great powers. Leopold I, the wise founder, solidly established the kingdom. Leopold II, the keen statesman, developed the re- Development sources of the country and found an outlet for its produce in the Congo, the only unexplored and unoc- cupied part of the world. Albert I was the heroic defender of his little land Belgium the Rampart of against the COIOSSUS of the north. Civilization When driven by sheer numbers from his country, he took a stand on the Yzer River, and for four years he held the invader from crossing into England. As Against Baldwin 1,000 years before had stood as the sentinel of Europe against the savage Normans, so Albert the Brave stopped the advancing Teutonic hordes on that very sea coast. At his side stood Queen Elizabeth as Queen nurse of the wounded and mother of the people : an angel of consolation in the dire trials of the Belgians. Elizabeth BELGIAN HEROISM IN WORLD S WAR Monograph On the night of the 3rd of August, 19 14, Belgium was served an ultimatum by powerful Germany requesting H passage through its territory. It had to choose between Stands dishonor or destruction. Only twelve hours were Germany granted for an answer. It was suddenly surprised, hav- 53 eroic King Albert Stops the Powerful Kaiser The Forti- fied Cities Cities Delay the Germans Who Are Beaten on the Marne WORLD S WAR mg been assured that there was no thought of violating its neutrality. It did not hesitate. The answer was : "We cannot break our international obligations. We will de- fend ourselves with all the means in our power. " It was the struggle of David and Goliath. With an army ten times smaller and weaker than her enemy's, Belgium withstood long enough the German ad- vance to give France and England time to mobilize their forces and to oppose an effectual barrier to the German hordes. It was little Belgium, animated by its valiant king, Albert, who stopped the most powerful conqueror in the first pride and exultation of his victory. There were only three fortified cities in the land, Liege, Namur and Antwerp, and they made a heroic de- fense, and kept the invaders busy while the allies prepared their armies. The two former cities delayed the Teutonic forces a month while Joffre formed the French troops into resistless armies. Antwerp dela}^ed them for two months. Three sorties were made from its forts and forced the enemy to bring back troops from the French battlefront, thus materially helping the great victory of the Marne, which stemmed the German avalanche rushing toward Paris. It was the first defeat of the Germans. Stubborn Defense of Liege. New The defense of Liege by General Leman was the first Thermopylae episode of the war and a presage of what the whole con- flict would be. It was a repetition of the stand of the Franchimontois against Charles the Reckless. It is a fact that recalls the famous deed of the three hundred Greeks at Thermopylae, who stopped the millions of Persian soldiers rushing to the conquest of Greece. 54 THE BELGIAN NATION Liege may be called the modern Thermopylae, for she was the first to stop the German avalanche advancing upon Paris and London and she did it regardless of the wreck and ruin that was sure to come. She fought for Belgian liberty. In spite of the enormous inequality of forces (eighteen Monstrous r i J . Cannons to one) Liege resisted from August the fourth to August the seventeenth. Nothing could resist the gigantic cannons which pul- verized the forts. General Leman never yielded ; finally he was captured. The last fort held out till August sev- enteenth. The women themselves who were left alone in Woman the metallurgical factories of the country, would not let Amazons the Teutons pass, nor enter their establishment, and poured boiling metal upon the advancing Germans. Battle of Haelen. The Gette-Meuse line was seized to oppose the advanc- Victory of ing Germans. The retreating army made a stand at Haelen, and the fortifications of Namur seemed to defend the south. A battle was fought at Haelen, wherein the Belgians were victorious despite their enormous inferior- ity in numbers and in weapons. But the Germans had Belgium gone into Belgium in such numbers that they threatened with to envelop the Belgian army, which retired into Antwerp. Defence of Namur and Walloon Country. There were heavv fights in the Meuse and Sambre Defeats on J ° Sambre and region. Namur was taken, Dinant and many towns were Meuse destroyed. Charleroi and Mons, where the French and English had time to arrive, were taken and retaken several times by the contending armies. Open towns offered no resistance; the Germans en- o°en S tered Louvain on the 19th and Brussels on the 20th. 55 WORLD S WAR Siege of Antwerp Orderly Retreat Belgian Army In Face of Enemy 90 Miles in the Midst of the Germans Defense of Antwerp. The three sorties from Antwerp had hampered the advance of the Germans and kept troops busy in Bel- gium, preventing same from fighting at the Marne. The Germans decided to besiege Antwerp, and to capture it. The superiority of their monster cannons made the fall of the city only a question of time, the Scheldt being closed to the English ships. The siege lasted from September 28 to October 9, when the city surrendered. While the invaders were kept busy, the Belgian army was able to make safely its retreat upon the Yzer where the enemy was definitely stopped in October, 1914. Masterly Retreat of the Belgian Army One of the great feats of the Belgian army was its retreat through a country that was infested with enemies without losing many troops. It was only at the siege of Antwerp that 30,000 men passed the frontier and were interned in Holland. Belgium had only 131,000 soldiers, while it was attacked by millions of men. Still the king managed to protect their retreat, so that little losses were sus- tained in a long march of ninety miles, pressed and harassed by numerous bodies of German troops. At every cross water of the land where there was any chance to join the allies, the Belgian troops made a stand and stopped the Germans in their advance but the only place where the allied troops were still the masters, and could join them, was the Yzer country, and thither the Bel- gians retired. The Flanders Front: Three Armies Fighting. The Belgians entrenched themselves from Nieuport to Dixmude along the Yzer river, while the English 56 THE BELGIAN NATION occupied the canals of the Yperlee and the city of Ypers and the French operated in the hills- south of them, reaching them from their Arras front. It is here that the longest and most stubborn fight of the war took place. Baffled in his advance upon Paris, the enemy now turned his face to London, and wanted to force a passage German to the channel ports, whence he could attack England. Opposed by He brought all his powerful machines of destruction offensive upon the new western front. But General Foch had com- mand of the whole western front and planned to turn the German offensive by an allied counter offensive. The Belgians were to make a sally from the Yzer proper, the English from the Yperlee and the French from the mans Are fe r , Shut Off hills in the south, and then altogether they were to drive the North- ern Road the invaders to the east. If the offensive did not sue- to London ceed, the defensive fully succeeded, and closed the north- ern road of invasion to England. From October to November there w r ere two formidable assaults — one at the Yzer and another at Ypres. Furious battles of artil- lery and hand-to-hand struggle took place but the road The Second to London remained barred. It was the second defeat De£eat of the Germans and it broke their power of advance. It presaged their final debacle. The danger was extreme on account of the unshaken determination to win prevailing on both sides, and hardly stopped during the winter. The military operations re- commenced with- renewed force in the spring of 191 5. The fights raged mostly around Ypres, therefore, they are called the second battle of Ypres. Despairing of .B^ttie^at" 1 winning by ordinary military means the Germans had p p * es nous recourse to the hellish device of poisoned gas at Gas Fails Boesinghe, which at first paralyzed the sturdy English 57 World's war Heroic Resistance of the Belgians The Re- lentless Machines Allow a Crossing at the Yzer Bend The Belgians Were Saved Through the Flood- ing of the Yzer Valley and Canadians but was soon eluded by gas masks that rendered the soldiers immune. Ypres was not taken, nor the road to London forced open. Such fighting lasted unabated four long years. Yzer Section. Fierce and Interminable Fights. It is here that the Belgians showed their most sturdy qualities, and the king proved his solid leadership. His army was reduced to 84,000 men who were exterminated by a continual fight and a risky retreat of ninety miles. It was without shoes and clothes, without arms and provisions. It was attacked with all the force of the German army for twelve days and for these days it was alone to defend itself. But the king knew how to ani- mate his soldiers and to brace them up with the certitude of the coming of the great allies. Every soldier became a hero; he disputed every inch of ground till his last breath. Finally the tremendous overpower of the enemy effected a crossing to the west bank at the Yzer bend and the Germans swarmed across the river. The Sea to the Rescue. The Belgians had no other shelter than the em- bankment of the railway which runs parallel to the Yzer river. The situation was hopeless. But the last resources was put in operation. The sluices of Nieuport were opened and the sea water which, during the high tide, stood above the level of the Yzer valley, flooded same, drowned the Germans and submerged their ma- chinery and opposed an impassable barrier to the Ger- man advance. But the fat meadows were ruined for many years to come. Exceptional Difficulties in the Yzer Country. The extreme moisture of the country filled the 58 THE BELGIAN NATION trenches with water as soon as they were dug. The No Shelter soldiers were standing in the mud and the water to their knees while they were harassed by the fire of the relent- ^ ater ^ Q less foe. Still they held out and they are the ones that closed the maritime road to the invaders. It was only the tenth day that the French could reach that dangerous 10 D of spot and they soon cleared the western bank of the stub- Solitary r J Fighting born Germans who held on to every place they had cap- tured. Shelter Created and Made Impregnable. The Belgians lost no time in improving their defenses ; Shelter they built up shelters above the ground with sacks of dirt, they constructed plank or branch walks over the marshy places, and they were able to withstand the re- J ■■■ ■' J ■ . ' '■ . 4 Years of lentless and furious attacks of the Germans for four Defensive years and to strengthen themselves for the next of- fensive. Not only did the Belgians defend the lower Yzer, but they made several sorties to sustain the allies in Several ,'.-■-■ . Sorties their struggle with the.stubborn enemy of the country. When in July, 191 8, Foch started his offensive the Belgians bounded like liberated lions against their cruel oppressors and reeardless of any danger they carried the crest of Flanders, from which the hated enemy had in 1918 the so long harassed their land. They had a full share in pounce* 5 driving them out of West Flanders and in hurrying and ^^ Their hastening the debacle that forced the proud invaders to sue for peace. The armistice was granted them November nth on harsh conditions which were imperative in deal- ing with treacherous and cruel enemies. Kinc: All ert made heroes of a handful of exhausted Albert Leader of and unarmed men who withstood four years of ceaseless Heroes attacks of the Northern Colossus, and finally bounded 59 WORLD S WAR System of Atrocities to Terrorize People and Ruin the Country Fire Fines War Con- tributions Enslavement and Starvation from their shelter to pounce upon the oppressors of their lands. System of Atrocities and Terrorism. The Germans brought in a new system of warfare full of atrocities that was to strike awe in. the civilians and destroy the resources of the land for generations. All was done systematically on a preconcerted plan and was calculated to break down the spirit of the people, to starve them to inaction, and to prevent their rehabilita- tion. When the Bishop of Liege asked them to stop those barbarous crimes, that cried for vengeance to heaven and for the reprobation of the civilzed world in the verdict of history, they answered that they "would win and write history." But their victims and the free nations are writing the history of the shameful deeds of those tormentors of mankind, and it is in vain that the Prussians try to deny them. The half has not been told. Many towns were burnt and the inhabitants shot for the trumped-up crime of one of them* The "library of Louvain was burnt. Absurd prohibitions were multi- plied in order to arouse the people to outbreaks, and to be able to fine them heavily and often. Exhausting war contributions were exacted and pro- visions commandeered, in such a systematic way, that anything that could be extracted from the people was done. The climax was reached when the Belgians were de- ported to Germany, and made slaves to work for their enemies. Transported in cattle cars, they were burdened with such heavy tasks to perform without any human food at all that within a few weeks those modern slaves were afflicted with consumption ; most of them died in the 60 THE BELGIAN NATION hands of their cruel masters and those who returned were like living skeletons. Belgians Not Demoralised. Did the Germans advance to break the morale of the Awe Does Belgians? On the contrary, they succeeded only in one Break Spirit thing; to-wit — to render their victims more decided of Belgians to resist such inhuman masters. Every week under their very eyes at Brussels, there appeared a paper, called "La Libre Belgique" which exposed all their crimes and Hardens it caricatured the tormentors of the Belgian nation. In spite L a Libre of the heavy sums placed upon the head of the editor and Bel s ic i ue publisher of that biting sheet, they were never able to find traitors to deliver that audacious Belgian into their hands. !fp Traitors. Unable to subdue the Belgian spirit, the Prussians Treason fe 1 ' None looked for traitors and spies to divide them but they found very few that would accept their bribes. There was not a single leading man that betrayed his country, nor even were there many of the starving labor- ing men that would listen to the hated invader. A T o Division. s 1{ Thev struck one last scheme, that of splitting the peo- Bewteen J . it- Flemings and pie into Walloon and Flemish elements. The Flemings, Walloons whose language is akin to the German, were not given Revolution satisfaction, in regard to their language. It was for the enemy an excellent wedge to split the nation. There were many patriots that grieved over such discriminations, and demanded the rightful use of the Flemish language. They were called Flamingants. Among them were ex- tremists, called activists, who put the language above DtfncuWes anything else, and would resort to any means and even combine with outside powers to obtain redress. Those 61 WORLD S WAR Activists Would Split Country Condemned as Traitors Tudges Exiled Culprits Executed Bleeding Belgian Nation fanatics became the tools of the enemy, to cut up and divide the land, officially (branded as such. At the in- stigation of the Prussians the extreme Flamingants demanded a political separation in two parts : Flanders and Walloni'a. Belgium was divided into two states by the German authorities and a Flemish ministry of agita- tors and upstarts was formed. But the Belgians are no traitors; the activists were regarded as tools of the Germans and traitors to their country. Magistrates Not Afraid. It is here that Belgian judges showed their integrity and their fearlessness. The courts unanimously condemned them for treason and cast them in jail, to be executed as traitors. They were released by the Germans, and the judges were exiled into Germany; that judgment branded them forever as traitors and ren- dered their stay in Belgium intolerable, even during the German occupation. But when the enemies were driven out, most of the activists fled the country they had betrayed and those that faced the contempt ' of their fellow citizens were cast into jail, to be executed as com- mon traitors. Belgium was more united than ever. The Saviors of the Civilians. What became of the whole country downtrodden and robbed by the occupying power? Who kept up the patriotic spirit? Who kept the people alive? It was a saintly cardinal, an able diplomat and two humane Amer- icans. The Germans did everything to terrorize the people and to provoke revenge or riot which would give a new pretext for plunder and for murder. Cardinal Mercier did not fear to raise his voice to protest against every 62 THE BELGIAN NATION crime. He called the war of defence a crusade and ^^Cardinai called the fallen soldiers martyrs of liberty worthy of Mercier heaven. His pastoral letters aroused the courage of the whole nation to an invincible strength, and instilled a calm resignation to the suffering citizens. Baron Cartier de Marchienne, minister at Wash-; ington, was a providence for Belgium. During the war he knew how to win the good will of America for the Belgians; during the peace conference he powerfully helped to secure the rights of his little country. He was made the first Ambassador of Belgium to the United States. The Germans plundered the country, requisitioned the stock and crops, carried away or destroyed the ma- chinery and wrecked every factory ; they deprived the Kept Alive population of the necessaries of life, and tried to starve Americans to despair or to death a nation that they had treacher- ously attacked. Many people were without food and looked like walking skeletons. A fearful mortality set in. But there were two generous Americans, Hoover and Whitlock, like angels of charity sent among* a hun- gry people. They procured many shiploads of goods from the sfood American people and they kept alive the & J . ii- The Na tion Belgian nation. Hunger did not enslave the liberty Was Alive loving Belgians who would never submit to their bar- Fought for barous oppressors. The knowledge that their people Somebod y were still alive and more hostile than ever to the German tyranny gave new life and courage to the soldiers in their muddy trenches of the Yzer. The Champions of Hitman Liberty. What steeled the Belgians in their stubborn resistance was the knowledge that the great democratic powers were fighting with them and for them and for all the op- 63 world's war Wilson's Statesman- ship Breaks Up German Combina- tion pressed nations of the world. The valor of France, the sacrifice of England, the courage of Italy, Roumania and Serbia and the weight of the United States were a guarantee of final victory and made them hope during the gloomiest tragedies of the war. Every ally had his share in the triumph; but there is one sagacious statemant who broke the chains where- with the Hohenzollerns had bound to their war chariot the Germanic and Slavonic kingdoms. It is Woodrow Wilson, the President of the United tSates whose four- teen articles overthrew the iron wall that kept Central Europe in the Prussian camp. His principle of the free- dom of nations restored the claim of liberty to the down- trodden peoples and the triumph of Foch gave that liberty to the slaves of Prussian militarism. It was a war measure as was Lincoln's proclamation of the liberty of the slaves in the United States ; which ended by freeing every slave in the world. So, before our century is over, Wilson's principle will procure lib- erty to every nation of the globe. Eclipse of Name Chronicles FIRST PERIOD : ROMAN REGIME, 57 b.C-476 a.d. Struggle. Ambiorix and Caesar. Culture, prosperity. second period: franko-belgian 476-843 Formation of Frankish character in Belgium. Clovis and Charlemagne Belgian princes. Although the name of Belgium disappeared and was replaced by the Frankish name of its new masters, such as Lotharingia ; still Belgium remained the pivotal country of the West, and on its soil two Frankish Dynasties arose — the Chronology of the Merovin- gians and Carolingians belongs as much to Belgium as to France. 64 THE BELGIAN NATION Third Period: Feudal Regime 843-1364 Under the feudal system the Belgian countri'es were divided into Persistency seventeen provinces, each having its local name — but they of Spirit remained quasi-independent, and never became part and parcel of the big monarchies either of France or Germany. They were so much one people in spirit and in custom that these numerous provinces were united into one nation during the reign of the Great Duke, Philip the Good, towards the close of the Middle Ages. There were nine Belgian states and seven Dutch ones. Belgian Principalities FLANDERS 862- 1 384. Originally a fief of France — lying between the Scheldt and the Manche, got imperial territories, 1050, such as Zealand, and it struggled against Holland for same. 863-78. Baldwin Iron Arm repels the Normans, obtains the daughter of Charles the Bald, the king of France, with an immense territory. The counts introduce the wool industry — the source of the p roeress i ve wealth of Flanders. Valiant The counts were great crusaders. Counts Baldwin VI of Flanders marries Richilde of Hainault, 1050- 73. 1191-1271 Countess Margaret marries Baldwin of Hainault. Their son, Baldzvin IX, Emperor of Constantinople. Leaves two daughters. Margaret's sons : Dampierre gets Flanders, D'Aves- nes Hainault. From the thirteenth to the seventeenth century the kings of France took all French Flanders, which was more than half of the country. Encroachments of the Kings of France and struggles of the struggle communes for their franchises— alliance with England— Count Against Ferrand and Guy of Dampierre were cast in jail. Revolt Autocracy against Philip the Fair, who was beaten at the battle of the Golden Spurs. Two last counts side with -France. Revolt of the Van Artevelde of Ghent. Saves the independence of Belgium. LOTHARINGIA KINGDOM OF THE CENTER ' , 840-55. Lothaire I misbehaves — must abdicate. Division be- tween his three sons: Louis II, Italy; Lothaire II, 855-69, Loth- aringia proper; Charles, 855-63, south of Vosges. At his 65 Divided in Upper and Lower Lotharingia Provinces Have Regu- lar Male Descendants for Six Centuries Dukes of Burgundy Unite 17 Provinces Union with Flanders CHRONICLES death part is divided between his two brothers. Lothaire's divorce. After him Lotharingia is divided between his uncles, the kings of France and Germany. It is disputed between their successors and mostly incorporated in Deutschland. Anarchy. 956, St. Bruno, brother of Otto the Great, divides it in Upper Lorraine on the Moselle at the foot of the Vosges — and Lower Lorraine on the Middle Meuse — which were separated by the Ardennes forest. LOWER LOTHARINGIA IN BELGIUM The Belgian part was divided in the different provinces that persist until today. That country was not any more cut up than the other countries of Europe at that epoch, nor was it extin- guished. It did not divide the common spirit and love of liberty that animated the Belgians of the Middle Ages and that has con- tinued to animate them until today. Strong dynasties arose and had valiant male descendants for about six centuries. Then the throne went to female descendants married to foreign princes of considerable power. The dukes of Burgundy gathered up seventeen states that cover about Bel- gium and Holland of today. Philip the Good, 1419-67, inherits or purchases Namur, 21 ; Hainault and Holland, 33; Brabant, 30; Luxemburg, 43. Charles the Reckless buys Guelders and Alsace. The Burgundian princes lead Belgium into prosperity; besides Artois, now part of France. BRABANT AND ANTWERP 967-1005. Carolingian Dynasty. Charles of France fights Hugh Capet, son Otto dies childless — daughters marry the counts of Louvain and Namur. Louvain capital. 1005-1106. Godfrey Dynasty. Godfrey V of Bouillon, 1076- 1106, kills the adversary of Emperor Henry IV, who makes him Duke. I. Crusade: King of Jerusalem. Louvain Dynasty, 1 106-1406: Three Godfries, three Henries, three Johns. Burgundian D. 1400, Brussels capital, Antony. John IV erects the University of Louvain, 1426. hainault 875-1433 I. Dynasty 875-1315. Reginald Long Neck. II. 1192-1279 Flemish. Union with Flanders. Countess Rich- ilde marries Baldwin (v). Baldwin (ix) Crusader emperor of Constantinople. 66 THE BELGIAN NATION III. Dynasty Avesnes 1299-1356. Gets Holland and Zealand. Holland IV. Dynasty Bavarian 1356-1433. Jaqueline contracts four marriages — cedes counties to Philip the Good. NAMUR 908-I418 I. Dynasty Albert I.=Ermengard Carolingian. II. House of Fladners 1196-1418. Yolanda.=Peter of Courte- noy, Emperor Constantinople. Sold to Guy Dampiere 1263. LUXEMBURG 963-I433 I. Dynasty 963. II. Dynasty Ermesinda i2i4=Waleran of Limburg. Union till defeat of Woeringen by Brabant 1280. Henry V becomes Emperor Henry VII 1308-T433. Son John the Blind marries Elizabeth of Bohemia : Emperors of Ger- many: Charles IV, 1347. Wenceslaus II. Sigismund who cedes Luxemburg to niece, Elizabeth de Gorlitz, and she marries Bur- gundian and cedes to Philip the Good. By congress of Vienna it was made a grand duchy under the king of Holland 181 5. In 1830 it fought with Belgians for inde- pendence, 1830-39 ; ceased to hang to Germany, 1866. 1890 passes to Nassau house. For five centuries Luxemburg was united to the Belgian prov- inces. In 18 1 5 it was made a Grand Duchy under the rule of the king of the Netherlands and became a member of the German Confederation. It joined the Belgian revolt against the Nether- lands and continued in Belgian hands until 1839, when part of it was ceded to Belgium, the king of the Netherlands ruling as grand duke over the remainder. It was again in the Zolverein 1842-62. In 1867 the International conference of London and the treaty of London made it a neutral independent state under the Orange Dynasty. In 1890 by the Salic law it passed to Adophe of Nassau— whose daughter, Adelaid, reigned since 1890 till 1919. The Begian Province: Area 1706 sq. m. ; popuation 219,210. The Grand Duchy : Area 998 sq. m. ;• population 245,888. Iron deposits. Catholic religion. Luxemburg and Limburg joined the Belgian Revolution 1830 — were divided in two between Belgium and Holland 1839. LIMBURG 1 064- 1 288 Waleran the Old, of Arlon, builds Castle of Limburg. Wale- Limburg Dynasty Bohemia Empire Grand Duchy 1815 Appanage of Netherlands Football of Powers 67 CHRONICLES Domain Equal to a Province of Actual Belgium Progressive Philip The Good Reunites Belgium ran III marries Ermesinda,, heiress of Luxemberg 1190. Lim- burg is conquered by Brabant by battle of Woeringen 1288. LIEGE, ECCLESIASTICAL PRINCIPALITY, VIII 1 795 The see of Tongres was transferred to Maestricht — then to Liege. Charles Martel and Charlemagne invested the bishops with temporal jurisdiction. Their domain was extended mostly along the left basin of the Meuse. In actual Belgium it would occupy as much territory as a province. It was stretching from Holland to France. The industries were highly developed — there raged wars with neighboring powers — and struggles between the archbishop, the nobility and the people. Fourth Period: Union of Ancient Belgium NETHERLANDS BURGUNDY I364-I555 Union of the Belgian Principalities under the Dukes of Burgundy. Necessity of union against united France. Middle kingdom revived. Empire reached by descendants. Centralizing policy resisted by Flemings. Philip the Bold, 1364. Margaret, Heiress of Flanders, 1304- 19. John the Fearless. Rivalry : Orleans and Burgundy murders. Philip the Good, 1419-67. Splendid court. Order of Golden Fleece instituted to glorify the woolworkers. Against the French kings. Inherits or buys provinces of ancient Belgium. 1421, Norman. 1433, Hainault (Jacoba had married Burgundian; marries three others). 1430 Brabant. 1443, Luxemburg. Taxes. Result of heavy taxes revolt subjects; Bruges 1437, Ghent 1448- 53; who are subdued. 1467-77 Charles the Rash, Gueldren. Treachery Louis XL Alsace bought. War against the Swiss. Mary of Burgundy i^yj=Maximilian of Austria. Priveleges defended. Revolt of Flemish and capture of Maximilian. French intrigues. Attack by Louis XI, defense by Maximilian. Spanish marriages. 1505-55 Charles V, born in Ghent, world ruler. Belgium central force and beneficiary of world empire. Com- merce with old and new world. Antwerp. Agitators sow religious divisions under mild rule of Charles' aunt and sister. 68 THE BELGIAN NATION Fifth Period: Foreign Regimes DOMINATION OF SPAIN, 1555-1713 Secession of Netherlands Caused by Absentee Rulers and Plots -of William the Silent. 1555-89. Philip II withdraws to Spain and governs by aunt and sister, secret propagandism. Plots of William The Silent. World Great generals of Spain win victories. 1579 confederation of Separate* Arras by Catholics — union of Utrecht by Protestants ; north independent and preying upon south ; commercial eclipse of South Belgium. Belgian Provinces under Spain. Distant lands united by inheritances are seldom well admin- istered. Invincible generals could not relieve Belgium. 1598-1624. Independence Under Albert. Isabella (1633). Hol- land and France make a partition treaty about Belgium. Wars be- tween Spain and France. Artois lost. 1661-1713. Five Wars of Louis XIV to Subdue Belgium. First, devolution war 1661-64; twelve Belgian cities. Second war against Holland, Franche Comte allowed. Third war Struggles 1680. Historical dependencies : Strasburg, Lorraine. Fourth prance -war 1698-97. Grande alliance; fortunes change. Peace of Rys- wick, half of conquests returned to get the will of Spanish king. Fifth war. Spanish succession. Philip V seizes Spain, Louis XIV suffers defeat, asks for peace 1708, routs. Bourbons keep Spain only. I713-94. DOMINATION OF AUSTRIA Belgium isolated from the world. Rivers closed in the north, limits guarded in the south. General Indian company suppressed. Mary Theresa 1740-80. Belgians faithful in Austrian suc- cession war. Mary and her brother, Charles de Lorraine, benef- icent, popular. Joseph II, 1780, unpopular reformer. General seminary under his professors condemned. Revolution 1782. Brother Leopold II wins back the Belgian people. DOMINATION OF THE FRENCH I794-1814 Farmers war against infidels. Belgium, the battlefield. Ant- werp made a big port. 69 CHRONICLES Wisdom Statesman- Heroism DOMINATION OF THE NETHERLANDS 1815-3O Barrier against France. William I stubborn. Overtaxation. Attacks on liberties of language, worship, education and press. Revolution. Sixth Period: National INDEPENDENT KINGDOM OF BELGIUM 183O-I918 Leopold I Saxe Coburg-Gotha. Superior Dynasty. Sudden invasion of Dutch ; repelled by French. No peace before half of Limburg and Luxemburg are sacrificed 1838. Catholic university of Louvain opened. Leopold, a wise man, develops the resources of the country, forms balance of power between the contending parties. 1865- 1 909. Leopold II, 1870. Liberals want monopoly of education and tyrannize their opponents until they are over- thrown. 1893, universal suffrage with system of plural vote. Congo discovered and colonized, is recognized by powers as a Free State. Slowness of people to prepare for war leaves Belgium at the mercy of the Prussians. 1909. Albert I. Elizabeth of Bavaria. The heroic defender of his little land against the colossus of the north in the world war, 1914-18. 70 Index A Albert I king of the Belgians and Elizabeth of Bavaria, 50. 54- 59, 70- - Albert and Isabella, 48, 69. Alva, Duke, 48. Ancient History, 5. Antwerp, 32, 44. 54 Margraviate, 66. Area, 3. - Ambiorix and Caesar, 5. Arabs, 8. Atrocities do not frighten, 60. Avesnes, 6y. Austrian Domination, 69. Activists misguided, 61. B Baldwin Iron Arm, 20. Belgian nation. Origin, 1, 4. Prominence, 4, 43-44, 51-64. Belgian kingdom, 51-64, 70. Mutilated, 51, 70. Superior dynasty, 53, 70. Principalities, 17, 19, 65-68. Name eclipsed, Soul persistent, 55. Sacrifiece for conscience sake, 45. Belgians League, 6. Brabant Joyeuse entree, 30. In control between Scheldt and Rhine, 32. Duchy, 66. Breydel and Decconinck, Matins of Bruges, 26. Bruges, Hanseatic city, metropolis of north, 22-28. Struggles against France. "Schild en Vriend," 26. Brand Whitlock, Ambassador, friend of the Belgians, 6^. Bruxelles, 31, 51, 53. Burgundy Netherlands, 37-45. Wealth, 43-44. Burgundy added, 37. Dukes reunite Belgium, 38. 71 Philip the Bold, 39. John the Fearless, 39. Philip the Good, founder of Belgium. Alliance with England, 39-4Q- Charles the Rash, 40-41. Mary-Maximilian, 41. Philip the Handsome- Joana of Spain, 42. C Carrier de Marchienne, diplomat, ambassador, 63. Caesar, 5. Conquest ot C^ 1 d, expeditions, 6. Canals, 4. Catholic faith strong, 45, 43. Party, 52. Celts and Teutons original elements, 1. Clovis, 15. Carolingians, 14. Charles. Martel, 16. Charlemagne, 15-19. Conquests, 12. Saxon wars, 13. Charles V, 42. Emperor of Old and New World, 42-45. Native of Ghent, 44. Antwerp, 45. Civilization, 1. Love of Culture, 3. Culture, 3, under Romans, 5. In Middle Ages, 19-20-22, 36, 43-44. In modern times, 4. Composite nation, Celts and Teutons, 1, Commerce, 2, 22-26, 31, 44-45. Destroyed, 45-47, 68. Modern, 5. Congo colony, 5. Commune ^rights, 23. Splendor, 36. Decline, 36. Chronicles. Chronicles, 64. 'Crusades, 2. First, 8-14. First, 14-17. Cardinal Mercier, 6^. D Dampierre, 25, 65. Democracy, 2, 24-25, 28, 31. , Deportations, 60. Drainage, 4. Division of Belgium and Holland, 47. 72 E Dixmude, 57. Eburones, 3. Eclipse of Belgium for conscience' sake, 45. . English Alliance, 28-29, 39, 54-64. Exactions of Germans, 60. 9 Elizabeth, Queen, 53, 70. F Farnese, 48. Feudal system, 19-20, 37, 65, 66. Period, 19. Flemings, 1. Flemingants, 61. Flemish language, 1. 61. Faith, 2. Sacrifices for, 46. Franco-Belgian period, 12, 62. Dynasties, 14. Empire, leadership of Teutons, 13, 16. Franchises of cities, 30. Franchimontois heroes, 33-35. French domination, 50, 69. , Flanders, 20-37. Prosperity, 20. Baldwins, 20. Industry, wool and flax, 21. Commerce, 22. Struggles for liberty, 23, 29. Count Guy, 20. Robert, 28, 30, 34... Klauwaerts and Lilliaerts, 26. Battle front, 56-60. County, 65. Foreign regimes, 68. G Gas bombs, 58. Geography, 4. Ghent, 28, 29, 44. Godfrey de Bouillon, 8-10, 17-18. "God Wills It," 8. Golden Spurs, Battle, 27. Golden fleece order, 43. Guy of Dampiere, 25. H Hainault County, 66. Heroic Ages of Crusaders, 7-8. Hapsburgs, 41-42. History, 5, 64. 73 Holland states, 46-48, 51-52. 70. Hostility of Holland, 46, 51, 51-52. of France, 23-29, 46, 48. of Prussia, 53-64. Haelen battle, 55. Hoover feeds the hungry, 63. I Index, 70. Industry, 2. Of Flanders, 21. j Jerusalem siege, capture, 10-n. Joyeuse entree, 31. K Klauwaerts, 23, 26. L Languages, 1, 61. Labor, love of, 4 ; order of, 2, 43. Love of labor, culture, liberty, 3. Liberals, 50. Liberty, Love of, 2, 42. Sacrifice for 3, 45. Struggles, 14, 23, 33-34. 37, 42. 51-61. Limburg, 31, 67. Liege, Walloon capital, 33, defence, 54, 68. Struggles, Franchimontois, 34-37. Defence, 54. Leopold I, king of the Belgians, 53, 70. Leopold II, king of the Belgians, 53, 70. Congo, 5, 53. Louvain, 32. Destruction, burning of library, 55, 56. Lotharingia, middle state, 18. Kingdom, 65. Dukedoms: Upper: Lorraine, Lower: Belgium, 18. Luxemburg, 32, 67-68. Lilliaerts and Klauwaerts, 23, 26. Louis IX, 8; XI, 40; XIV, 46, 48. Kings of France. M Medieval History, 7, 64. Modern History, 55. Merovingians, 16. Mercier, Cardinal, 63. Mines, 4. Mixed races progressive, 1. Belgians, Franks, 14. Mohammedans, 8-12. 74 N Nation, Belgian, i. Chronicles of, 64. National Dukes, 37-39. Namur, 39, 55. Namur county, 67. Netherland-Burgundy, 68. Netherland kingdom, 52, 70. Nervians, 6. O Order of Golden Fleece, 43. Participation in great movements, 1. Party Strife, 52. Peter the Hermit, 9. Pepin the Short, 16. Progressive character of Belgians, 1. Prussians, 53-64. Philip the Fair, King of France, 24-28. Philip II, King of Spain, 47-49. Philip the Bold, Phlip the Good, national dukes, 37-47. 37~67- R Rank of Belgium, 4. Rivers, 4. Closed by Holland, 46, 68, 51 Roads, 4. Roman period, 5, 64. S Saxon wars, 18. Seawater on Yser, 58. Self-government, 24. Spanish domination, 46-49, 69, 74. Absenteism, 47. Intrigues, 47. Philip II and William the Silent, 46. Albert and Isabella, 48, 69. Five wars of Louis XIV, 48-49. Socialists, 53. Soils of Belgium, 4. Statesmen, 46. 75 T Teutons, I. Traitors none of any consequence, 61. Language dupes few, 59. Terrorism ineffectual, 60. Turks Seldjuks, 8. U Ultimatum, 51. United Provinces of Holland ; Union of Utrecht, 48. Undaunted Belgians, 60-62. Judges. Union of Belgian principalities, 68. Union of Walloons and Flemings, 1, 18, 37, 49, 59. University of Louvain, 32, 60. Urban II, Pope, 9. V Yan Artevelde : Jacob, Philip, 30. W Walloon, people, language, 1. Country, 45. Wealth of Communes, 36. of Belgium, 44-46. William of Orange, the Silent, 47. Wilson, president, statesman, 64. Woolen industry, 21. Weavers allured to England, 22. World's war for culture, 7. World's War, 53-64-65. King Albert ; Masterly retreat, sorties, 54-59. Defense of Liege, 54. Haelen battle, 55. Namur, Antwerp. Flanders front ; four years' battles, 55. Sea waters, gas, 58. The Yzer struggles, 57-59. No trenches, but shelter above ground, 59. Terrorism, 60. Ineffectual; no traitors, 61. Judges undaunted, 62. Saviors of civilization, 62. Champions of human liberty, 63-64. Y Ypres, 55. Yzer River, battles, low country flood, 57, 59. 76