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The guild houses “Den Cruywagen” (tanners) and “Den Sack” (carpenters and coopers) on Brussels’ Grand Place - © Wikimedia Commons, photo by Pol Mayer

Trade guilds

As early as the 11th century, informal organizations of people with the same profession or trade began to emerge in the Low Countries. These artisans often lived together in the same streets and neighborhoods of medieval towns. In the regions that today make up Flanders, they were primarily active in the food supply, the textile sector, the construction sector, the

Engraving depicting a view of Herkenrode Abbey, by Remacle Leloup, ca. 1740 – Het Stadsmus, Hasselt

Fish on Friday

For centuries, the Catholic Church and the fishing industry have had a strong connection. Fishing was a dangerous profession, and fishermen often sought solace in their faith. Coastal residents, for example, frequently prayed to Mary, whom they called Our Lady of the Dunes. Conversely, the Church itself was actively involved in fish farming. This was certainly true of

The Cloth Hall of Ypres in a 16th-century woodcut - Ypres Museum

Weaving Prosperity

In the Middle Ages, one economic sector in particular drove the growing prosperity of Flemish cities such as Ypres, Bruges, and Ghent: the cloth industry. Wool was needed to make cloth. Initially, most of this wool came from sheep in the coastal region. Starting in the 12th century, the textile industry grew so large that

Stained-glass window depicting fishermen on horseback at sea, Frans van Immerseel, 1909–1978 – NAVIGO National Fisheries Museum – artinflanders.be, photo by Dominique Provost

Fishing with horses

In Oostduinkerke, you can witness a unique spectacle in the spring and fall. Around low tide, fishermen ride Brabant draft horses out into the waves. Along the coastline, they catch kilos of delicious shrimp with their trawl nets. Shrimp fishing, or “kruien,” has been practiced along the

The result of the massive herring catch of 1943 at a fishmonger's in Poperinge - © Westhoek Verbeeldt, private collection - westhoekverbeeldt.be

Herring galore

The herring boat first appeared in the 15th century. This model ship symbolizes the historically significant herring fishery along the Flemish coast, which emerged around the year 1000. Population growth and the rise of cities created a greater need for food. The solution? Fish! Because herring were plentiful

Miniature depicting the Battle of the Golden Spurs from the *Grandes Chroniques de France*, late 14th century - © Wikimedia Commons

The Battle of the Golden Spurs

On July 11, 1302, an army of Flemish townspeople defeated the powerful French knightly army in the Battle of the Golden Spurs near Kortrijk. The battle was a high point in the larger conflict between the Count of Flanders, Guy of Dampierre, and the French king, Philip the Fair. Since 1297, the latter had been waging a major

Still Life with Fish, Clara Peeters, 17th century - © KMSKA, Antwerp - artinflanders.be, photo by Hugo Maertens

The painted fish

A pike, perch, oysters… this 17th-century painting depicts a whole menu of fish. You can almost smell the distinctive aroma. What makes this work special? The painter is a woman, Clara Peeters. Historians know little about her, even though she was one of the few leading female painters of