"Near enough for a pun, and much nearer than modern punsters often get it," continued Mr. Mapps. "Ghent, in former days, had the reputation of being a turbulent city, and its people were bold and warlike. They have always been forward in asserting and defending their liberties; and you will find that the burghers of Ghent figure largely in Mr. Motley's Histories. I will not detain you longer now, but, as we pass through the city, I shall have something more to say about its historic character."
A sufficient number of vehicles had been gathered during the professor's lecture to enable the students to make the most of their limited time in Ghent. They went first to the Beffroi, or Belfry-tower. It is a kind of watch-tower, two hundred and eighty feet high, built in the twelfth century. The structure is square, and is surmounted by a gilt dragon. It contains a chime of bells, and a huge bell weighing five tons. The records of the city were formerly kept in the lower part of the building, which is now degraded into a prison. The entrance to the tower is through a shop, and the view from the top is very fine.
The Cathedral of St. Bavon, the Church of St. Michael, and the Hôtel de Ville, or Town Hall, were pointed out, and the carriages stopped in the Marché au Vendredi, a large square, or market-place, which takes its name from the day on which the sale is held. The phrase means Friday Market. Mr. Mapps explained the use of the square, and pointed out the ancient buildings with Flemish gables, which look like a flight of stairs on each slope, which surrounds it.
"This was the grand meeting-place of the citizens of Ghent," he continued; "the counts of Flanders were inaugurated here with great ceremony and splendor. Here the trades-unions, or societies of weavers, used to meet. Here the standard of rebellion was planted, and the people rallied around it to overthrow their oppressors. Here Jacques van Artevelde, the Brewer of Ghent, encountered a hostile association, and fought one of the most furious combats known in history. He was called the Brewer of Ghent, because, though of noble family, he joined the society of brewers to flatter the vanity of the lower classes. His partisans were chiefly weavers, and his opponents the fullers. In the midst of the strife the host—the consecrated bread and wine of the Catholic mass—was brought into the square, in order to separate the furious artisans; but it was disregarded, and the bodies of fifteen hundred citizens were left on this spot.
"Van Artevelde, whose statue you see before you," added the professor, pointing to the object, "was a person of great influence. He was the ally of Edward III. of England, and had raised himself to the position of Ruwaert, or Protector of Flanders, by banishing its hereditary counts. By his advice, the King of England had added the fleur de lis, or lilies of France, to the British arms, claiming to be King of France. He courted the aid of the Flemish people, who were very powerful,—for it was said that Ghent alone could furnish eighty thousand fighting men,—in order to establish his claim to rule France.
"Edward obtained the assistance of the Flemings; but he did not conquer France, though he gained some splendid victories, in which the famous Black Prince figured. Van Artevelde began to dread the vengeance of the hereditary counts of Flanders, whose power he had usurped, and in 1344 he invited Edward to meet him at Sluis. Here the Brewer proposed to make Edward's son—the Black Prince—sovereign of Flanders, in order to secure the protection of England. He relied upon his influence with the citizens to induce them to submit to this arrangement; but the stout burghers rejected the proposal with contempt and indignation.
"During Van Arteveldt's absence, a popular insurrection was fomented against him; and, on his return, as he rode through the streets, he was made conscious of the storm that was brewing against the Brewer. He went to his house, and barricaded the doors; but the street was soon filled by the mob. He addressed them from a window; but they would not hear him, and he attempted to escape by a back door into an adjoining church. Failing to accomplish this purpose, the infuriated people broke in upon him, and he was killed.
"In this square, also, were kindled the fires of the Inquisition by the Duke of Alva, at the command of Philip II., and thousands perished in the barbarous persecution.
"The rebellious spirit of the people of Ghent was very trying to Charles V. He demanded of them an enormous sum of money, to enable him to carry on a war against France. The burghers put the town in a state of defence, and privately offered their allegiance to Francis I. of France. He declined the offer, and maliciously informed Charles of it, who marched an army through France to punish the treason of his subjects in Ghent. Commanding this army in person, he reached the gates of the city, and surrounded its walls, before the people were aware of his presence.
"The utmost consternation prevailed in the town, and messengers were sent to the emperor to sue for forgiveness. Without granting any terms to the rebels, he imperiously demanded that the gates should be opened. His command was obeyed, and the Spanish army marched into the town. The Duke of Alva suggested that the entire city should be destroyed; but Charles satisfied himself with beheading fourteen of the ringleaders of the rebellion, and confiscating their property. The principal officers of the city were ordered to appear before the emperor barefoot and bare-headed, clothed in black gowns, and with halters around their necks. They were compelled to sue for pardon on their knees. As an additional penalty, the magistrates were forbidden to appear in public without a halter on their necks, as a badge of their ignominy. The rope was worn; but, in the lapse of time, it became a silken cord, tied in a true-lover's knot, and was regarded as an ornament which the magistrate could not dispense with.