Dromo's Den

[Up] [Dromo's Den]

Artevelde Biography

Artevelde Image

ARTEVELDE, JACOB or JAMES VAN (c.1290-1345). A popular leader of the Flemings. The war between England and France having threatened the cloth industry of Flanders, Artevelde was persuaded to lead the Flemings against the encroachments of Count Louis of Flanders, the vassal of the French King. In December, 1337, he assumed the leadership, and,with the aid of the men of Ghent, freed the town from the nobles and adherents of the Count. Afterward Artevelde was elected captain-general of the town of Ghent. In 1338 he made a commercial treaty with England, but maintained the policy of armed neutrality. Edward III of England, wishing to gain him as an ally, landed at Sluys, but was resisted. Edward's first campaign proving successful, Philip of Flanders refused to recognize the neutrality of the Flemings, thus forcing them to declare for the English. Artevelde now urged Edward to assume the title of "King of France," and the Flemings, in 1340, accepted Edward as their liege lord. The chief power remained in the hands of Artevelde. On July 24, 1345, he was slain in a popular tumult at Ghent, presumably because he intended to recognize the Black Prince as Count of Flanders.