56 Route 6. GHENT. History.

(p. 79), to the issue of which their bravery mainly contributed.
Their subjection to the Counts of Flanders and the Dukes of Bur-
gundy appears to have been little more than nominal; for whenever
these princes attempted to levy a tax that was unpopular with the
citizens, the latter sounded their alarm-bell, flew to arms, and ex-
pelled the obnoxious officials appointed to exact payment. During
the 13-15th centuries revolutions seem almost to have been the or-
der of the day at Ghent.

One of the most remarkable characters of his age was Jacques
van Artevelde , the celebrated ‘Brewer of Ghent’ (born 1287), a
clever and ambitious demagogue, who, though of noble family, caused
himself to be recognized as ‘master’ of the Guild of Brewers and to
be enrolled as a member of the 52. other trade-guilds. Owing
to his wealth, ability, and remarkable eloquence, he acquired im-
mense influence, and in 1337 was appointed ‘Captain of Ghent’. To
ensure the free supply of wool from England, he allied himself with
Edward III. in the war between England and France (1337-45), in
which the democratic party of Ghent supported the former, and the
Counts of Flanders the latter; and it is recorded that Edward con-
descended to flatter him by the title of ‘dear gossip’. For seyen
years Artevelde reigned supreme at Ghent, putting to death all who
had the misfortune to displease him, banishing the nobles and those
who betrayed symptoms of attachment to their sovereign, and ap-
pointing magistrates who were the mere slaves of his will. Arte-
velde at length proposed that the son of Edward III. should be
elected Count of Flanders, a scheme so distasteful to the Ghenters
that an insurrection broke out, and Jacques was slain in his own
house on July 47th, 1345, by Gerard Denys, the leader of his op-
ponents. During this period, in consequence of the alliance with
Ghent, the manufacture of wool became more extensively known
and practised in England. Ghent also realized vast profits from its
English trade, a circumstance which induced the citizens to submit
so long to the despotio rule of Jacques, to whom they owed their
advantageous connection with England.

Philip van Artevelde (b. 1340), son of Jacques and godson of
Queen Philippa of England, possessed all the ambition but little of
the talent of his father. He was appointed Guardian of the Public
Peace (‘Ruward van Vlaanderen’) by the democratic party in 1351,
during the civil war against Count Louis of Flanders, surnamed
‘van Maele’, and his administration was at first salutary and judi-
cious, but he soon began to act with all the caprice of a despot. In
1381, when Ghent was reduced to extremities by famine and the
citizens had resolved to surrender, Philip counselled them to make
a final venture, rather than submit to the humiliating conditions
offered by the Count. He accordingly marched at the head of 5000
men to Bruges, and signally defeated Louis, who sallied forth to
meet them. LElated by this success Philip now assumed the title