Artevelde, JACOB VAN

Artevelde, JACOB VAN, a Flemish popular leader in the 14th century, was a wealthy and high-born brewer of Ghent. In 1335, when war was raging between England and France, he gave his support to the former power, while the Count of Flanders sided with the latter; and he actually concluded a treaty with Edward III. Proclaimed governor of Flanders, for nine years he was almost absolute ruler; but he went too far when, in 1345, he proposed that the Black Prince should be elected Count of Flanders. For this the Flemings were not prepared, and Artevelde was killed in a popular insurrection, July 24, 1345. His son Philip van Artevelde in 1381 headed a new revolt of the people of Ghent, and gained a victory over the Count of Flanders, the son of his father's old enemy. The count therefore sought the assistance of Charles VI. of France, and Philip was defeated and slain at Roosbeke, 1382. His history forms the theme of a fine drama by Sir Henry Taylor. See Hutton, James and Philip van Artevelde (1883).