Ghent (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Bart Van Loo suggested a memorial stone in Ghent to celebrate the 1369 marriage of Philip the Bold and Margaret of Flanders, which united powerful families and shaped history. The stone honors this important event and the region’s role in Europe.
On June 19, 1369, a very important marriage happened between Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, and Margaret of Flanders. This marriage connected two powerful families and helped create the Burgundian State, which was important in the history of the Low Countries. Bart Van Loo, a famous Flemish writer and historian who knows a lot about this time, understands how significant this marriage was for European history. To honor this event, Van Loo suggested making a lasting tribute.
How does the memorial stone in Ghent commemorate the 1369 marriage of Philip the Bold and Margaret of Flanders?
Van Loo contacted the Ghent city council to suggest putting up a memorial stone in the city to celebrate the importance of the marriage. His idea was to create a physical reminder of this significant event, helping people today and visitors connect with the city’s rich medieval history. The city council liked Van Loo’s idea and saw it as a great way to celebrate Ghent’s history and the Burgundian period. They plan for the memorial stone to not only honor the marriage but also to educate people about how important Ghent and the surrounding area were in shaping European history.
The memorial stone for the 1369 marriage of Philip the Bold and Margaret of Flanders is placed where the old Green Church of St. Bavo’s Abbey used to be in Ghent. This spot is special because St. Bavo’s Abbey was an important monastery in medieval times. Even though the church is gone, hornbeam trees are planted to show its original shape, helping visitors imagine its past. The stone is made of strong Belgian bluestone, measuring 1.30 meters long and 80 centimeters wide, and it blends nicely into the calm area of the old abbey site.
It has been said that the memorial was placed here to honor the marriage while blending with the beautiful old abbey landscape. It connects visitors to the past, allowing them to reflect on the Burgundian period and its lasting influence on the region. “Van Loo says that this memorial stone is for an event that is just as important, if not more so, than the Battle of the Golden Spurs. He believes that this is where the idea for the Low Countries began, creating a significant Burgundian legacy, with Flanders and Ghent being key players in that history.”
