Heritage walk 1382 Battle of Westrozebeke

In the late 1370s, the city of Ghent rebelled against Louis of Male, the Count of Flanders. In September 1379, open hostilities broke out, with both sides taking turns gaining the upper hand. After a humiliating defeat at Beverhoutsveld east of Bruges, Count Louis called upon the aid of his son-in-law Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy and also regent of the 13-year-old French King Charles VI, in the summer of 1382. Philip assembled the French army and marched toward Flanders. The Ghent leader Philip of Artevelde also rallied his troops and allies, and on November 27, a bloody battle took place on the Goudberg near Westrozebeke. The French achieved a crushing victory and subsequently spread terror throughout southern West Flanders. Westrozebeke itself, however, was spared, reportedly thanks to the protection of Our Lady, who had placed a red thread around the village. This only increased the veneration of Mary in the village, and it is believed that in the sixteenth century, this led to the creation of the procession route past eight small chapels surrounding the village. Each chapel represents one of the Seven Sorrows of Mary; the eighth is a Calvary chapel. On this walk, you’ll read a brief summary and/or hear a more detailed account of the Ghent Revolt and the Battle of Westrozebeke during a procession past the chapels, with the Seven Sorrows of Mary serving as the central theme.

📏 3 km
📍 Artevelde Monument, Jules De Windeplaats
🏁 St. Bavo Church, Jules De Windeplaats